[fiddler]

Is there anybody here interested in a high-quality-but-affordable source switching device?

I know RadioShack carries a switcher, but it's crap-- the inputs reportedly leak into each other audibly.

An hi-fi alternative is the Headroom SwitchBox which costs a pretty hefty $160.

What if there was an alternative to the Headroom box that cost around $70-80, depending on options, such as # of inputs, dual outputs (for say, switching between headphone/speaker systems)... would anybody be intersted in such a product?

 

[sacd lover]

I would.

 

[JeffL]

Its called a mixer! The one I use most often has 32 inputs, 4 aux monitor mixes, 4 buses, and 2 main outputs

Someone else posted about Behringer stuff recently, so I'll put a link here: http://www.behringer.com/02_products...mid=3&lang=ENG

 

[tortie]

Definitely. Actually I already have one built by a fellow member here. Its a great device to have especially if you want to do some A/B comparisons. I can't do without it (especially since it houses my crossfeed)

 

[fiddler]

Thanks for the responses so far. JeffL, I'm not sure how serious you are, but I'll respond anyway... Although a mixer, I guess, could be used for this kind of purpose, it isn't at all close to being ideal since most people don't need mixing abilities, which means that the extra potentiometer (unless it can be bypassed) in the signal path is unnecessarily soiling the sound. I was obivously thinking in terms of a "switchable wire" idea...

A couple follow-up questions: would you want two outputs? How many inputs do you require? How many people would use crossfeed for the headphone output?

 

[Distroyed]

Wouldnt such a middle man lower the quality of the sound if the mixer isnt equally top of the line?

 

[fiddler]

Quote:

Originally posted by Distroyed Wouldnt such a middle man lower the quality of the sound if the mixer isnt equally top of the line?

Jeez, how many times do I have to say we're not talking about a freakin MIXER!?

But anyway.. It's not as good as a direct connection from source to amp, I suppose-- it's a pretty minor tradeoff in sound quality for a lot of added convenience for some people, I would imagine.

 

[Trawlerman]

Interesting but i'd like mine not to have blurred front panel like the one the Headroom site.

 

[Music Fanatic]

Check out these if you also want to switch component video (or 5 channel audio)

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/kd-sw2x1.htm
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/comp-vid-sw.html#3x1
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/kd-sw4x1.htm

 

[Oddball]

I would definitely be interested in an inexpensive source switcher, then I wouldn't have to be disconnecting and connecting cables from my pc and my pcdp all the time. It's rather annoying. But I don't need many functions (or connections). However I value small size and low price. Until I find something decent, I'll just go through the pain of connection/disconnection.

 

[rickcr42]

I have been using a custom switcher for many years

four way tape dubbing and monitoring (preamp tape rec out to in,four deck in/out , monitor out to preamp tape mon in)

recorder processing loop

monitor processing loop

four input source expander (four inputs to preamp aux)

four way output expander (input from preamp to four outs)

allows any number of on the fly patching, especially with the deck four front panel in/out for portables

 

[ooheadsoo]

Cheapest solution is to get the switchbox from Fry's electronics section. It's buried in their mix of resistors and capacitors and whatnot. There's no source leakage and I couldn't hear any sonic degradation. Runs between $4-7, I forget.

 

[Oddball]

I searched Fry's online store since I don't live near one and got these:

http://shop1.outpost.com/category/Ou...deo+Switching/

Not sure if the Sony one is any good...the others are pretty expensive.

 

[asdfeproiu9]

What kind of wiring would be used? What kind of casing, what kind of jacks, etc.

 

[spaceman]

Could something like this be used for multiple amps to one source?