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Is this dangerous ?

I am trying to incorperate my 2 channel and home theater without comprmising sound .

Here is what i want to do : keep my 2 channel amp wired to the speakers as usual , the speakers are biwireable. I want to use the second binding posts on the speakers for a receiver for home theater .

Both sources would be wired at the speakers . I figure if only one source is powered on at a time this would work .probably use a independent powerstrip for each and keep the source i am not using turned off at the strip .

My main question is if both sorces would send a signal to the speakers at once what would i hear ? would it mix the two together and make some funky noise ? Would this damage the speaker ?
maplegrovemusic
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
Is this dangerous ?
Yes, it absolutely is dangerous, mainly to the amplifiers. The outputs of two power amplifiers (or the power amplifier section of a receiver or integrated amplifier) should never be connected together. See this thread for further explanation, and for suggested solutions.

Regards,
-- Al
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Get a 2-channel preamp with a home theater bypass circuit. Then follow the instructions on connecting it all together.

Or, if your HT receiver has preamp outputs, connect the Left and Right front channel pre-outs from the receiver to a pair of line level inputs on your amp (or preamp--you're not very detailed on what your setup is).

If your AV receiver doesn't have pre-outs, sell//trade it to get one that does. The ones that do aren't that expensive.
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic OP
1,113 posts
 
My plans are to get a pair of tube amps for 2 channel which i do not want running day and night . I can either unplug the receiver when not in use or swap the speaker cables each time. Lots of wear on the bannanas that way though . Unplugging the receiver is probably the best and safest way . I do not want to invest in expensive items to remedy this issue. ie: new bypass preamp.
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
Unplugging the receiver is probably the best and safest way.
No it is not. As discussed in the link I provided earlier, when running one amp with the other unplugged you would be applying the full output voltage of the amp that is being used to the outputs of the powered down amp, with unpredictable and design-dependent consequences that could quite possibly include sonic degradation and/or amplifier damage.

Consider purchasing one of the switching devices that were mentioned in the other thread.

Regards,
-- Al
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 

06-10-12: Maplegrovemusic
... I do not want to invest in expensive items to remedy this issue. ie: new bypass preamp.

The Parasound Classic 2100 has everything you need (and then some) for $649, which is no doubt cheaper than the expense you'll have if you make a mistake ONE TIME in switching between the two amps, in which case you may have to fix/replace your AVR, power amp, and speakers. Plus, the Parasound is a very good unit and very versatile. It has a built-in phono preamp *and* bass management with selectable crossover frequencies if you want to run a subwoofer.

One time when I was a newbie working in a stereo store, I made such a switch and even though I'd turned off the first amp, the two amps STILL blew out each other's output stages because the amp is still putting out current for a few seconds after you turn it off--even if you unplug it. It's the capacitors discharging.

It seems to be a reasonable expense for the amount of safe flexibility it would bring to your rig.
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