2. amps-preamps
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2 amplifiers connected to 1 set of speakers

I’ve been in the hobby for a few years and my wife asked me a question that stumped me.

Can you have 2 amplifiers, connected via their own individual sets of speaker cables, connected to the same pair of speakers at the same time? I told her I didn’t think that would be advisable.

The question came about when she saw me disconnecting cables from my solid state amp and connecting the cables from my tube amp. (both were off of course). She asked me why it wouldn’t be ok and I started babbling that the signal from one amp would then travel through the other set of connected cables into the amp that was not in use. Even if the other amp was off that could be problematic. If the other amp happened to be on then it could prove catastrophic for both amps and potentially cause an electrical fire.

What is the correct answer fellow audiogon members? Ralph?
ghasley
steve59's avatar
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steve59
1,760 posts
 
I thought the first post covered it? 
I borrowed a carver sunfire amp that survived such a experiment when I wired both channels into 1 speaker, but I wouldn't deliberately wire 2 amps to the same pair of binding posts unless I was looking for an excuse to go out and replace everything.
elliottbnewcombjr
5,323 posts
 
no
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,787 posts
 
What is the correct answer fellow audiogon members? Ralph?
The correct and short answer is no.

If you really want to do this you could use a switch, but often the switch messes up the sound.
ghasley OP
2,487 posts
 
Thanks @atmasphere 

To be clear, I do NOT want to do this, I was wondering what would happen if someone did. I am perfectly content to disconnect the speaker cables at the speaker when I want to switch amps.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,787 posts
 
What happens is the output section of one amp loads the other. This is bad when one is off, worse when both are on! Smoke and other things happen!
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