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Well, depends on some particulars like input impedance of the amps and whether they offer the same gain. Otherwise one may be louder than the other upon switching which is a dead give-away. You likely can just use a splitter type interconnect leaving the preamp and feed both amps from the same output. Is this RCA or XLR coming from the preamp?
- Thread Starter
- #3
RCAs. Could you maybe find a link when you get a chance?
Count Arthur
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You can get various input/output selectors, like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nobsound-Balanced-Converter-Selector-Splitter/dp/B07DC3Y3G2/ref=sr_1_4?crid=32ZGND38F59P5&keywords=xlr+switch&qid=1674063353&sprefix=xlr%20switch,aps,88&sr=8-4
mhardy6647
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Depending on your intended application, it is OK to use Y-connectors to split one output to two. To some extent, the quality of the result will depend on the output impedance of the preamp and the input impedance of the power amp.
It is much less of a good idea to combine two signals using Y-connectors.
EDIT: If you want a switchable connection, there have been myriad little passive switch boxes sold over the decades with RCA inputs and outputs.
The little box in @Count Arthur's second link will work for your application.
It is much less of a good idea to combine two signals using Y-connectors.
Why Not Wye?
Wye-connectors (or "Y"-connectors) should never connect two outputs together, but Rane tells you how to use them correctly.
www.ranecommercial.com
EDIT: If you want a switchable connection, there have been myriad little passive switch boxes sold over the decades with RCA inputs and outputs.
The little box in @Count Arthur's second link will work for your application.
- Thread Starter
- #6
I already have the selector, I'm trying to figure out how to connect 2 amps to 1 preamp, given that none of the amps get connected to the selector (only speaker wires get connected to the selector).
Count Arthur
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That's the wrong type of selector, you need one for RCA/Phono, or possibly XLR. Check the links in my previous post.
- Thread Starter
- #8
what's the one I posted for then?
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Yes, but with the other selector you would connect preamp to the preamp selector (it has multiple outs that are switched). Then you can flip two switches and change the amps going to the speaker and change which amp is connected to the preamp.
- Thread Starter
- #10
I don't understand how to connect the y-connectors you posted.Depending on your intended application, it is OK to use Y-connectors to split one output to two. To some extent, the quality of the result will depend on the output impedance of the preamp and the input impedance of the power amp.
It is much less of a good idea to combine two signals using Y-connectors.
Why Not Wye?
Wye-connectors (or "Y"-connectors) should never connect two outputs together, but Rane tells you how to use them correctly.www.ranecommercial.com
EDIT: If you want a switchable connection, there have been myriad little passive switch boxes sold over the decades with RCA inputs and outputs.
The little box in @Count Arthur's second link will work for your application.
My preamp has a right channel out and left channel out. ok. If I connect the single ends to a y-connector to my preamp then each amp will only get signal from either the right, or the left channels (not both). Or what am I missing?
- Thread Starter
- #11
But then how do I connect the same speakers to 2 separate amps?
You use two. The single end of a connector goes to (eg) left on your preamp. Then one connector on the other end goes to the left channel of each amp (ignore the red/white colouring on the one shown).
Same with the second splitter for the right channel.
For the speaker to amps, you have the correct switch as shown in your first post. I think there has been some confusion with people thinking you were intending to use that for the RCAs between preamp and amps.
- Thread Starter
- #14
ooh ok thanks I didn't realize the red/white can be ignored.
- Thread Starter
- #15
So I would probably need a male to 2x male splitter, not male to 2x female as pictured, correct?Depending on your intended application, it is OK to use Y-connectors to split one output to two. To some extent, the quality of the result will depend on the output impedance of the preamp and the input impedance of the power amp.
It is much less of a good idea to combine two signals using Y-connectors.
Why Not Wye?
Wye-connectors (or "Y"-connectors) should never connect two outputs together, but Rane tells you how to use them correctly.www.ranecommercial.com
EDIT: If you want a switchable connection, there have been myriad little passive switch boxes sold over the decades with RCA inputs and outputs.
The little box in @Count Arthur's second link will work for your application.
mhardy6647
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Are you clear on the Y connectors now?
You need two. Each one has a male RCA at one end and can have two male or female RCA at the other end.
For each Y connector: connect the single male to one channel's output on the preamp. Connect one of the two connectors at the other end to the corresponding channel's input (e.g., left to left) on one power amplifier, and the other connector to the second power amplifier. Typically female RCA "jacks" at the "split" end of the Y-connector are most convenient; just extend each of the "outputs" with a standard male to male RCA terminated cable ("interconnect") of the appropriate length(s).
Repeat using the other Y connector for the other preamp channel to 'split' its output to the other channel of each power amplifier.
Loudspeakers are connected to the power amplifiers as usual.
Hope this helps!
EDIT: Perhaps this diagram will help? I am, unfortunately, too lazy to rig up such a splitter connection and take photos of it; sorry!
https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-slave-an-amplifier-to-another-amplifier-both-of-different-wattage
(sorry about the nomenclature used by that link!)
Only if things will reach! The Y-conectors are typically very short.
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- Thread Starter
- #17
yep got it, thanks guys!Are you clear on the Y connectors now?
You need two. Each one has a male RCA at one end and can have two male or female RCA at the other end.
For each Y connector: connect the single male to one channel's output on the preamp. Connect one of the two connectors at the other end to the corresponding channel's input (e.g., left to left) on one power amplifier, and the other connector to the second power amplifier. Typically female RCA "jacks" at the "split" end of the Y-connector are most convenient; just extend them with, e.g., two male to male RCA terminated cables.
Repeat using the other Y connector for the other preamp channel to 'split' its output to the other channel of each power amplifier.
Loudspeakers are connected to the power amplifiers as usual.
Hope this helps!
Cool - now when you do the testing, don't forget the level matching using a multimeter. Otherwise when you report your results you'll just get a bunch of guys telling you you've done it wrong.
- Thread Starter
- #19
I think you meant spl meter )Cool - now when you do the testing, don't forget the level matching using a multimeter. Otherwise when you report your results you'll just get a bunch of guys telling you you've done it wrong.
No, SPL meter is not accurate/stable enough, and too sensitive to small movements
You need a multimeter connected to the speaker terminals. Send a 1KHz test tone to both amps, and make sure the voltage delivered from both amps is the same. Target is to get it to within, or at least close to 0.1dB. This means that if one amp is ouputting 2V (1W into 4ohm) then the other needs to be within 0.03V of that, in the range of 1.97V to 2.03V
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