Ritz Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 I have a Niles SVC-4 speaker/amplifier selector that I have had for 15 years or so that I find is very valuable to me for convenience of use. It allows me to have 2 amps running at same time and to alternate/adjust volume of up to 4 pairs of speaker in different rooms. I can have it louder upstairs than downstairs and play different musice at the same time, for example. Anyway, I value the unit as indispensible but have noted that some opine that more connections mean less quality of sound. Is that a hard and fast rule in anyone's opinion? Also, with specific reference to the SVC-4, does anyone know a technical reason that it degrades a system or that it has known or inherent flaws? Thanks in advance for your interest and comment. Gerry Ritzert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minn_male42 Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 more connections may degrade the signal because a poor or loose connection can degrade the signal.... more connections means more possiblities for a loose connection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Sound degradation really depends on what you're using for a switchbox. The $20 ones at Best Buy, Radio Shack, etc.....forget it. I wouldn't worry about the Niles. While I'm not familiar with the model in question, I do use a Niles DPS-1 amp switcher. I've noticed no degradation in sound, and would expect similar results from their other products. If you are concerned though, just try it without and see if there's any difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Champagne taste beer budget Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Agreeing with the above replies, but to add that in addition to the actual connections to the box, there has to be switches and/or relays inside the box that offer a chance for a poor connection. Imagine you're trying to jump start a car, but can only get to within 100 feet of it for whatever reason. Since you're a traveling salesman for a jumper cable company, that isn't an issue for you, you have 20 10 foot sets in your trunk. However, once you link them all together, if you don't have a good connection at any of the ends, you'd need to check the Pos and Neg of each jumper cable where it attaches to the next one. I know, line loss through cable length, gauge of cable, etc., just work with me here and assume it's HUGE cable, alright? As a side note, if you're using this for swtiching between sources and rooms, is it safe to assume you are using it for background music and not critical listening? If so, then some degradation from the connections is probably acceptable, you probably would have to do a direct A/B from switchbox IN the circuit to switchbox OUT of the circuit to hear a change. Use it for what's it's designed for and be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritz Posted February 24, 2005 Author Share Posted February 24, 2005 Thank, Russ, Shade, and CTBB. Appreciate your time. No loose connections and I don't note any degradation even in the context of critical listening. In fact, I have 3 of the devices and even use it in my 'critical listening room' setup and it allows for varying volume levels or doing some a/b testing just to try to learn the sound differences between cornwalls and fortes and heresys It allows so much flexibility that I really value them. I was just wondering if someone had an identifiable weakness in such a set up. I think the devices are well made and quality items. Of course, I do not think I have the level of a discriminating hear on the level that some some members possess. I had also wondered why I had not read more (any) comments on the SVC-4 (there is a later version SVL-4AB as well)(I do not believe Niles is making either model anymore) since I found them so helpful. Just curious, I guess. Sorry, I have no pictures of them to post for ease of reference purposes. Gerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 when my parents buil their summer home, they wired in cieling speakers thoughout the whole house and bedrooms, they used a niles 4 zone control system similiar set-up that you have and model # is slipping me right now, but i notice that its not as clear as it could be all the time with everythig running, but it still works better than anything i have seen for the price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritz Posted February 24, 2005 Author Share Posted February 24, 2005 701. I have not noticed a clarity issue but will keep listening. Anyone have any expeience with the Russound products? I have seen a 4 speaker 2 amp box they make. I think they are out of Maine. Wondering if they make a good product. Gerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpm Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 Deep down we all know less is more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 The quality of wiring and switch points in the unit could be a weak link as well. Also these units almost without exception require much longer lengths of line-level wire. These may or may not present noticeable degradation. They certainly wouldn't make anything sound better, but they obviously serve a vital purpose to you, and would to me as well in a similar situation. That all being said, a few well (or poorly) placed acoustical elements in the listening area would most likely make a more noticeable effect in either direction. I'm usually one for splitting hairs. I'm not sure what's come over me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 A thought ocurred as I hit enter. Often does... Disconnect the system that is most convenient to disconnect. Live with it for a week or two & see if it makes a real improvement. Hopefully it won't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v3spitfire Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 I've used a dbx system router for a similar purpose...to switch between to separate preamps to the same power amps so it was done via RCA connectors. I could not tell a difference in sound quality when it was in or out of the chain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jheis Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 If it sounds good to your ears, why worry? Be happy. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholtl Posted February 27, 2005 Share Posted February 27, 2005 ---------------- On 2/26/2005 10:21:14 PM jheis wrote: If it sounds good to your ears, why worry? Be happy. James ---------------- Because if you can make it sound better to your ears, you'll be even more happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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