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How can I switch multiple DACs to multiple amplifiers?

If I have a system with multiple DACs, say 3 different DACs, and multiple amplifiers, say 8 different amplifier/speaker pairs. How do I switch between them? What is that device called? So, in other words you send a signal to the device and it sends the signal from DAC #1 to Amp #2, #4 and #7, and the signal from DAC #2 goes to Amp #1 and Amp #3, etc.

Obviously you could hardwire with a patch panel, but what you do when you need to switch it dynamically via computer control?
tubular7
yyzsantabarbara
4,912 posts
 
I have 3 DACs and 2 sets of amps (1 pair of mono blocks and a stereo amp). I use a preamp with dual XLR outputs to connect to 2 different sets of speakers, RAAL SR1a and Thiel CS3.7.

I use the CODA 07x preamp to control this setup. Not exactly answers your question for more than 2 amps but could be useful info. Last year I started a thread about preamps with dual XLR outputs. That thread as a bunch of different preamp options listed.
jond's avatar
jond
5,857 posts
 
You could probably have a maker of passive preamps make you a unit with three outputs, that's probably the simplest and likely the cheapest way to do it.
ddude003
161 posts
 
You might look at a Van Alstine ABX Comparator box...
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