[PaulFolbrecht]

Decided I'd like to turn the 2-channel system in the living room into HT again.  2.2 (two subs) only.

Question is, can I have two amps hooked up to my Lamhorns at the same time - my audio SET monos and the Super T-amp I'll use for movies?

So, the signal from the t-amp will "drive" the monos (which will be off!!) and I don't know if that's possibly cause harm or just not work right.  Will this change the load (impedance/phase) the t-amp sees?  Or will it make no difference since there is no complete circuit in the SET amp that's being "driven"?

Boy, I feel stupid having to ask this question.  Please go easy on me. 

[zybar]

Not a good idea unless your goal is to blow up your speakers.

Sorry.

George

[PaulFolbrecht]

Not a good idea unless your goal is to blow up your speakers.

Sorry.

George

George,

Can you elaborate as to what would occur here?

Of course, I can always switch the cables back and forth, as we generally watch 1-2 movies/week only.

[macrojack]

Paul -- You don't want your amps driving each other and you will be one faux pas away from just that kind of disaster. Better to use bananas and make a quick swap at the speaker terminals when the need to do so is felt.

Isn't there an amplifier that will serve both purposes? That would eliminate the need to switch.

[zybar]

George,

Can you elaborate as to what would occur here?

Of course, I can always switch the cables back and forth, as we generally watch 1-2 movies/week only.

Pretty much what Macrojack said.

I also "think" that there are technical issues with having both amps hooked up to the same speakers at the same time.  However, I need somebody more technical than myself to explain the details.

George

[PaulFolbrecht]

So, basically, the issue is forgetting to turn off one amp/pair of amps and thus frying it.

Macrojack, since I like SETs and think it's probably a waste of money to use a (high power) SET for movies, I'll likely be using two amp setups for a good long time.

I can go to bananas.  I use anti-cables and I think he offers that option, though I'd need new cables.  Or I could solder some up.

Thanks, guys.

[avahifi]

Two amps connected to the same set of speakers is blowup time.

Why?

Because each amp sees the low output impedance of the other amp as essentially a dead short across its own output, and that is fry the amplifiers time.

A connection that allows that if a switch is thrown the wrong way is essentially providing a "speaker and amp destruct switch" in your system.  A destruct switch, if provided, will be used.

Regards,

Frank Van Alstine

[PaulFolbrecht]

Yes, yes, you guys have convinced me.  Enough already. 

Another self-destruct switch would be redundant anyway.  The one I have now is wired to a 5Kg block of C4 on each monoblock.  Fortunately I have not bumped it!  I'm afraid to get within 5' of it, frankly.

Just kidding.

[Amnizu]

Paul -- You don't want your amps driving each other and you will be one faux pas away from just that kind of disaster. Better to use bananas and make a quick swap at the speaker terminals when the need to do so is felt.

Isn't there an amplifier that will serve both purposes? That would eliminate the need to switch.

You might consider a Pre-Amp with a HT bypass if you are looking to separate your signal paths.