Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › How are you handling your multiple sources?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

How are you handling your multiple sources?

post #1 of 29
3/20/07 at 12:27am
Thread Starter 
Right now I'm using my Denon 2200 (soon to be upgraded) for CD/SACD use and I also have my Ipod that I occasionally hook up with 320kbps music on it when I don't want to have to switch constantly between CD's/SACD's every 45 minutes and just want to rock out uninterrupted. Unfortunetely, my only amp, my Singlepower, doesn't have but a single input on the back and I'm not wanting to buy a new amp with multiple inputs as I really like my amp and will be keeping it for the foreseeable future.

Are others in my position simply always unhooking RCA jacks out of the back of their amps all the time and and changing the source or are you using some kind of preamp or other switchbox of some type?

What are some options I would have to be able to use both my player and Ipod (and possibly a turntable in the future) without having to constantly switch things around manually?

Are there some good inexpensive (meaning for me less than $1k) passive or active preamps out there that would accomplish what I'm wanting to do without degrading the sound?

It seems like most of the preamps that are powered all have volume/gain controls which I'm sure if I was using my source as a 2 speaker setup would be great as you need volume control that way but since I'm using my amp with volume control already on it, it seems there is the potential for a change in the sound (be it bad or good) with a volume control in the preamp coupled with the gain on my Singlepower.

I'm a bit concerned with the passive preamp options though as I always thought the passive options weren't as high quality and might change the sound in a negative way as well.

Thoughts?!?!
Reply

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

post #2 of 29
3/20/07 at 4:02am
Maybe Mikhail can build you a small switch box (source selector)? That might be kind of cool to have a little matching piano black switch box with a singlepower logo. If I were a singlepower guy the first person I would go to for such a thing is Mikhail. He might offer it in his line of products already.
Reply
post #3 of 29
3/20/07 at 5:27am
Is there any room in back of the unit for Mikhail to install some more inputs?
Reply
post #4 of 29
3/20/07 at 9:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by newguru View Post
Are there some good inexpensive (meaning for me less than $1k) passive or active preamps out there that would accomplish what I'm wanting to do without degrading the sound?
QED switching boxes are the cheapest effective solution. They are very high quality and don't diminish the sound discernably so long as you use good quality interconnects obviously. They were very popular with Naim amps in the 80s.

http://www.mantra-audio.co.uk/Switching.html

QED are currently updating the design by the looks of it but the original black ones like the MA-20 are the ones I have used in the past. These pop up on ebay from time to time and the larger ones can go for upto 100UKP (200USD).
Reply
post #5 of 29
3/20/07 at 9:27am
absolutely no experience with CIaudio stuff, but I saw this: http://www.ciaudio.com/plc1.html on it and I think it might fit your needs...though a bit more expensive than memepool's option
Reply
post #6 of 29
3/20/07 at 10:18am
THIS pre-amp from Creek is small and unobtrusive. The previous model was very well regarded as far as it adding any coloration to the signal.
Reply
post #7 of 29
3/20/07 at 12:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nebby View Post
absolutely no experience with CIaudio stuff, but I saw this: http://www.ciaudio.com/plc1.html on it and I think it might fit your needs...though a bit more expensive than memepool's option
I've been seeking such a solution myself, but $900 is ridiculous.
Reply
post #8 of 29
3/20/07 at 12:48pm
Niles Audio AXP-1 passive Switchbox (Auxiliary Input Selector) ~$20 off ebay, ~$70 new. Five inputs and one output. I use one and it is great. I also use a bog-standard AV switch box to switch coax digital signals into my DAC. With short runs of interconnects there is really no issue with signal loss.

Here is one for sale....

http://cgi.ebay.com/Niles-Audio-AXP-...QQcmdZViewItem

Here is another...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Niles-Audio-AXP-...QQcmdZViewItem
Reply
post #9 of 29
3/20/07 at 2:27pm
With line-level signals, such as those you're dealing with here, a simple shielded switchbox will do the job just fine. You could even make one yourself if you're reasonably handy with a soldering iron. Maintaining ground continuity without starting ground loops is the key point. Make sure everything in the box is grounded to a single point.
Reply
post #10 of 29
3/20/07 at 3:17pm
I have a Sony passive A/V switchbox which seems really good. The best thing about it is that it has two outputs....so I can have it go both to my SP amp and speaker amp.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...=feature&var2=
Reply
post #11 of 29
3/20/07 at 3:41pm
I use a Quientete switchbox (3 selectable ins, 2 selectable outs or vice versa). Very small footprint too. I wouldn't even consider selling it for 3 times what I paid for it.

But since they are no longer in production, it may be very difficult to get ahold of one.

If it were me, and I couldn't get my hands on a used Quintete, I would go for one of these.

Scroll down the page and look for 'LP1 line router'. Can be configured any way you would like it to be, any combination of 6 inputs/outputs, chasis color choice, and you can even get one fully balanced. And since it is a MAD product, you can bet that it is a quality product, and will not degrade sound quality in any way.
Reply
post #12 of 29
3/20/07 at 5:12pm
Mapletree makes switchboxes of up to 6 inputs/outputs in any combination you want. I have one with 4 inputs and 2 outputs and I really like it.
Reply
post #13 of 29
3/20/07 at 5:23pm
I switch inputs on my amplifier...
Reply
post #14 of 29
3/20/07 at 6:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrarroyo View Post
Mapletree makes switchboxes of up to 6 inputs/outputs in any combination you want. I have one with 4 inputs and 2 outputs and I really like it.
x2 except that I went for a 2 in 4 out config. Well worth the price IMHO.
Reply
post #15 of 29
3/20/07 at 6:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tjkurita View Post
Maybe Mikhail can build you a small switch box (source selector)? That might be kind of cool to have a little matching piano black switch box with a singlepower logo. If I were a singlepower guy the first person I would go to for such a thing is Mikhail. He might offer it in his line of products already.

I kind of like this idea. Would be at least worth the phone call to see what he could do for me.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Dedicated Source Components

Head-Fi's Best Sellers

Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Dedicated Source Components › How are you handling your multiple sources?