Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Running M3's with two different amps

For music I currently run a pair of M3's with a Technics SA-DX1040. I'm pleased with the sound but not overly ecstatic. I would like to use the receiver for movies but I would like to get separates strictly for music. I'm on a very limited budget and am interested in using the AMC 1100 preamp with their 2100 stereo amp. Im wondering what the effect, if any, there is in connecting the M3's to both amps with two pairs of wires for use at different times. I have a feeling that there will be no problems but I just want to make sure. Thanks

Daniel

DON'T DO IT

i can't remember why, but i just KNOW it's a bad idea.

someone more technical than i can confirm this in a more... technical way !

Ravi is right. Bad things will happen if you run signal from two different amps to one speaker: sparks, smoke , awful unnatural antichrist sound and possibly fire. If you don't turn both amps on at the same time you will be ok.... BUT if you inadvertantly turn them on at the same time - lookout!

One alternative is to get a speaker selector switch. Radio Shack sells an inexpensive one. The drawback to using one of these is that it puts another "thingy" in the signal path which may or may not degrade the sound depending on who you talk to.

good luck

Hi Danr,

Ravi and mwc are correct. Don't even try it without getting a speaker selector--in this case, an amp selector--because if you were running one amp with the other off and no switching, the impedance load that the speaker presents would be altered by the extra set of speaker cables and the dormant amp circuitry. In other words, your second amp would be trying to drive the speakers and the circuitry of the receiver.

You would need a selector switch that accepts the sets of speaker cables from your amp and the receiver, with one set of stereo output cables going to your speakers. The switch would select either your receiver's output OR the amplifier's output, disconnecting the source amp not being used.

Regards,

I have since thrown that idea out the window and purchased a Marantz SR4300 I'm very happy with the purchase as the amp is much less harsh than my old Technics receiver and it has preamp outs so I will be able to upgrade to a more powerful amp later in life. It won't go as loud but it is a much more pleasing, less distressing sound. Thanks all.