2. cables
  3. 184596-177772

RCA Y- cable or is an A/B switch required?

I would like to connect my CD player to two different preamplifiers (one stereo connection for my surround sound receiver and one stereo connection for my vintage McIntosh gear). In the old days, we simply used an RCA Y-cable for each channel, but I am curious if the sound quality or a possible line level instability might arise.  

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russ69's avatar
russ69
3,360 posts
 

A coaxial switch would be the best solution but if you make sure you turn off the amp you aren't using, it would probably be OK.

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
820 posts
 

Just use the Y - connector for each channel on the CD player. No harm will come to it! 

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,501 posts
 

What Jason said. A quality Y (like AQ or Morrow) MIGHT make a difference. 

He won't say that.

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
820 posts
 

I recommend using the all-metal y-connectors. No short cable attached to it. Eliminates potential wire coloration!

jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
820 posts
 

@fuzztone : when I wanted to add some brand-new ICs I bought 5 pairs of the AQ Silver Extremes - a $400 IC! Got them for $90 each from HCM as close-outs from AQ. 

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