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Please help Two amps to one pair of speaker?

Hi,

I have a tube system for music and solid state for home theater. The problem is that I have to merge two systems in same room and my room can not have two pairs of speaker (small room).
I'm thinking of connecting two amps to one pair of speaker, turn on only one amp at a time and the other amp must be off without removing the speaker cables. Does this way create any problems with only one amp is on?
Thanks for your help!
Tran
worldcup86
rwwear
2,873 posts
 
You shouldn't do it even if one of the amps is off. You need to use an A/B switch. Or get a preamp with pass-thru.
ghostrider45
449 posts
 
This has been covered before.

Do not under any circumstances connect both amps to the same speaker without an AB switch. If you do, each amp sees as its load impedance the speaker in parallel with the output stage of the other amp. This may be quite a low value, and could result in a nice fireworks show and possible expensive damage to both amps.
cyclonicman
693 posts
 
I agree wholeheartedly with Newbee. My grandfather once blew up my speakers due to this situation. If you don't have any kids or grandfathers around, maybe.
rwwear
2,873 posts
 
Grandfathers/kids or no, don't do it without an A/B switch. It doesn't matter if both amps are on it can still destroy them if only one is on.
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,691 posts
 
Cyclonicman wrote:
I agree wholeheartedly with Newbee. My grandfather once blew up my speakers due to this situation. If you don't have any kids or grandfathers around, maybe.
Really? I am surprised. Such a hook-up is likely to damage an amp or two but I would not think that the speakers would care.

Kal
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