Schu Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 I am wondering if anything is happening to the signal in a wire if you run that signal into a split connection ... I am trying to run my HT and 2-channel somewhat separate from each other save for the main amplification, so I tried to run a pioneer integrated in pre out to a Y splitter then into my monoblocks... the other end of the Y is connected to my tube pre amp for 2-channel but something is being lost in the translation. The system doesnt seem to suffer in as far as HT is concerned, but the 2-channel sound is flat and lifeless. Is the fact that the Y is connected to two sources atthe same time disturb the signal when I am trying to use the system for critical listening? I dont mind manually switching out the rca cables depending on how the system is going to be used, but I am trying to understand what is changing... both systems are NOT on at the same time, obviously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted September 20, 2016 Author Share Posted September 20, 2016 Both systems look like this HT-oppo/pioneer pre out/bel canto/speaker 2channel-oppo/dac/tube pre/bel canto/speaker The Y connection is at the bel canto for both systems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 Schu, use a Niles SKP-1 in reverse and a 12 volt trigger to do the switching. Here is mine that is unused now that had a Wii power supply and an A/C power switch as well. The far left unit is a Global Cache that was wired into an IR receiver so that my Harmony could control it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted September 20, 2016 Author Share Posted September 20, 2016 7 minutes ago, USNRET said: Schu, use a Niles SKP-1 in reverse and a 12 volt trigger to do the switching. Tyvm... Better than a manual switcher? I guess the original question is, does something happen to the signal when they are not separated... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 2 minutes ago, Schu said: Tyvm... WTF? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted September 20, 2016 Author Share Posted September 20, 2016 1 minute ago, USNRET said: WTF? Thank you very much... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 Connect the default amp to speaker "A" and the switched amp to speaker "B". The main L&R are connected to the "speaker" terminals. No power speaker is powered by amp A and with 12 vdc applied speaker is powered by amp B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 I am curious about the splitting also but in my setup there was zero signal degradation. A was the HT amp to the Belle L&R and B was from my VRD monos to the Belles. I had the Harmony set for a slight delay just to ensure HT amp and VRDs never 'saw' each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 Schu, I use this to split signals to the tube amp and the HT stuff. This will work for two speaker or two amps, not both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 Sorry, re-read you are splitting pre-amp signal not speaker signal; my bad. The Niles SAS-1 would do that by sensing signal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul79 Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 You are running a tube preamp with a preamp instead of a line level source. You are piling on allot of circuitry before the signal gets to the tube amp. It should sound lifeless and flat running it this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted September 20, 2016 Author Share Posted September 20, 2016 Ugh.... Both systems are separate, the only time the paths mingle is at the Y connector prior to the monoblocks... both systems are NEVER on at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 Schu, if I understand you correctly you are Y-ing 2 line level OUTPUTS into a single INPUT. NO, don't do that. Even with one off you are putting a load on the other one that is on that it does not like. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted September 21, 2016 Author Share Posted September 21, 2016 That makes sense... thank you. I figured if was something about load or resistance etc... I had already discounted doing it after trying it for about 5 minutes, it just wasnt working for me. I was just trying to make sense of why it would not work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 And if you accidently had both outputs on you MIGHT damage one or both. You will have to a) plug and un plug cables- cheapest but RCA jacks will get worn or b)install a switch that isolates the 2 outputs.... or c) get a mixing board, Yahooooooo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wvu80 Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 1 hour ago, Schu said: That makes sense... thank you. I figured if was something about load or resistance etc... I had already discounted doing it after trying it for about 5 minutes, it just wasnt working for me. I was just trying to make sense of why it would not work. That makes sense to me, too. I thought that was a good question. I would have been afraid of having both amps/systems turned on at the same time by accident. I know you would be careful, but I have too many bad memories of dropping the needle on a turntable where I THOUGHT I had turned the sound down from the previous LOUD listening session. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pzannucci Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Also, many tube preamps barely can handle the load of the Bel Canto to drive it properly. Adding the second input into the equation puts it over the edge. Then of course there is the possibility of having both on, ugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 A very simple bit of passive mixer wiring may help and keep you from having to be swapping cables. I'll try to get one drawn out for you. Using my phone at the moment... Bruce 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1101 Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 On 9/20/2016 at 7:53 PM, babadono said: Schu, if I understand you correctly you are Y-ing 2 line level OUTPUTS into a single INPUT. NO, don't do that. Even with one off you are putting a load on the other one that is on that it does not like. Right............he wasn't "splitting" anything. He was using the splitter backwards and combining..................uh..........NO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 something simple like this could work: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/MT-VIKI-RCA-AV-Switch-2-Input-1-Output-Audio-Video-Selector-MT-231AV-for-2/32665297413.html or even just a self wired DPDT switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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