Mallette Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 A couple of years ago I paid 60.00 for a Niles DSP1 amp selector which is the only one I know on the market designed to allow switching between amps as oposed to speakers. I still use it for the purpose, that of switching between my passive Quadaptor and my Mc 2100 for discrete rear sound. Recently, I wanted to be able to test surround on my all identical Frazier speakers in the HT setup. Money is a bit tight, so another 60.00 was to be avoided if possible. I remember a pair of single pole, double thow knife switches I'd obtained many years ago for a now-forgotten project. They were still in one of my old junk boxes. I was a bit concerned about trying this, but I really couldn't think of a reason it would not work or pose danger to the equipment. I hooked the speakers to the center pole, and the two amps to the others. To my surprise, it not only worked, but is completely silent in operation. Not sure where one would find these today, but perhaps Edmund Scientific or similar. They'd certainly be cheaper than the Niles. Anybody see any problems with this I've not anticipated? Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Mobley Posted September 6, 2003 Share Posted September 6, 2003 Might wanna be a little careful about throwing the switch with the amps on, or is that too obvious? Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted September 6, 2003 Author Share Posted September 6, 2003 Done that. Still made no noise or apparent stress anywhere. Since a knife switch releases contact long before making the new contact, I can't see a problem there. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 As long as the connections are clean and solid I see no reason it wouldn't work like a charm. What do this switches look like ? I wouldn't mind building something along these lines for my shop. Oh some amps don't react well to being under no load so switching while amps are on would be something to be carefull about. Not sure what amps your using or how they respond to it. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted September 7, 2003 Author Share Posted September 7, 2003 Well, I've never quite figured out how to post pix. However, I presume you are familiar with the old fashioned knife switches often portrayed in Frankenstein films and electric chair scenes? These are like that, except they are double pole. The leads to the speakers are on the knife part, and the amps at each end of the 180 degree arc of the knives. I hear you about the load issue. These are low power SS amps and one is a Crown. They don't seem to suffer, but if they were tube or of real value, I'd probably shut them off before switching. I don't know if the Niles provides a load, but that may be part of the cost. OTOH, shutting one off for a savings of 60.00 still floats my boat! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted September 8, 2003 Author Share Posted September 8, 2003 Wanted to correct my original post. The knife switch is Double Pole Double Throw. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssh Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 Dave, Thanks for posting this.I've been thinking about an amp selector switch.I'll check out the Niles switches. SSH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted September 8, 2003 Author Share Posted September 8, 2003 The Niles is good, handles high power, and is silent. However, the connectors are just little (too small for large gauge wire) holes with a very small screw at 90 degrees to tighten. I'd recommend pins on all your lines before attempting to connect. That's my only real beef, other than the 60.00 part. The DPDT throw switch works just as well, though the WAF might be lower! My PAW would prefer the 60.00 anyday. :-) Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 BTW, the Niles are now about $88 according to another member who has been looking and emailed me about mine. I have no problem with the size of the opening although I agree they could be larger. Then again I don't have 10 gauge wire either. Nilesaudio.com for an authorized internet dealer. They have lots of good products on their website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted September 8, 2003 Author Share Posted September 8, 2003 http://www.compare-dvd-players.com/Accessories/Speaker-Accessories/NILES-AUDIO-DPS-1-/B00006HOFR 60.00. I didn't check shipping and am finding that many "cheap" dealers are jacking up shipping and handling. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymd Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 Thanks. I'll pass that on. I guess I overpaid. Live and learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted September 8, 2003 Author Share Posted September 8, 2003 Don't mention it. "Mr. Cheep" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 Mallet take a picture of it and I'll host it and post it !! Send it to craigostby@comcast.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted September 8, 2003 Author Share Posted September 8, 2003 Of what? Niles or the DPDT cheepy? Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minn_male42 Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 rather than using a knife switch, you could also use a heavy duty dpdt switch with a center off position.... it achieves the same isolation as your knife switch and it can be mounted in a panel for a very clean installation.... two of these will do the job for stereo... they are about $5 to $6 each Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnorv Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 Dave, I considered that very same solution. I was not able to find the switches. My only concern was with the contact at the center pivot. I guess you could screw right to the blade and eliminate that concern. Jim N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vavoline Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 ---------------- On 9/8/2003 3:36:39 PM Mallett wrote: http://www.compare-dvd-players.com/Accessories/Speaker-Accessories/NILES-AUDIO-DPS-1-/B00006HOFR 60.00. I didn't check shipping and am finding that many "cheap" dealers are jacking up shipping and handling. Dave ---------------- This price is for a used part, and they are out of stock. I like the DPDT switch idea, and I used to have practically unlimited access to such items. However, that is no longer the case. A word of caution to those considering this route: If you have young children, reconsider. The blades on this type switch are not insulated, and would look awfully inviting to a youngster's eye. Although I don't think there would be any danger of shock, shorting across the two blades could damage your equipment if the amp was running.JMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vavoline Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 Here are the authorized etailers for Niles parts. Crutchfield J&R Music One Call Sound City Tweeter Sound City has them for $88.25, no shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 Both if you want no big deal either way ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregorius Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 I considered this route when I bought my Russound amp switch. I was afraid my wife would throw the switch to the tube amp when the SS was on. The owner of the local electronics said that the tube amp should be able to take it if it was shown no load, but the SS would probably be damaged. He compared SS amps to two elephants on a teeter totter. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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