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2 turntables and one phono stage - Can I???

I have 2 turntables in my system, my phono stage has one set of RCA inputs. Up to now I have been swapping them out manually whenever I switched tables however its getting to be a pain to crawl behind the rack to swap out ICs. Can I safely use a splitter on the phono stage to accept both turntables or will that mess something up?

Thanks
gjrad
chashas1's avatar
chashas1
596 posts
 
There are phono stages that have 2 inputs...
thaluza's avatar
thaluza
288 posts
 
Why don't you call Joule Electra and ask if they can add a second input? I know they offer this feature for the OPS-2 for a very modest cost. I imagine they could do it for the OPS-1 too.
lewm
13,538 posts
 
FWIW, with respect to Almarg's comment, you should probably use a DPDT switch, so as to switch both sides of the two cartridges simultaneously. There should be no problem with that. The shield would be separated from the so-called "hot" and "ground" outputs from each cartridge. The cartridge ground should not contact chassis ground at all.
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
Lew -- Not sure what you mean in your last post. There are presumably two rca plugs (for left and right), plus a turntable ground wire, at the phono amp end of the cable from each turntable. The "ground" (non-"hot") side of the cartridge output for each channel is connected to the outer part of the rca plug which corresponds to that channel through the cable shield.

Regards,
-- Al
gjrad OP
145 posts
 
Thanks for all of the replies. Doesn't appear to be a safe and secure way to deal with this. I guess those who have multiple armed tables have to deal with this issue as well.
Seems like the best way to deal with this is to keep the two set of RCAs close and continue to manually swap them. I like the idea of getting a second phono stage, thanks.
BTW, although it doesn't matter much, the two tables are in a different system than the one pictured in my virtual systems.
The two tables I am swapping out are a Basis 2500/Vector/Benz Ruby H and Clearaudio ReferenceTG1/Clearaudio Signature M cartridge the Phono Stage is a Thor TA3000.

Thanks All
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