davlee said:
I am thinking of adding an A/V receiver to my Hi Fi system. In addition to Hi Fi use, I wish to use the existing speakers as the fronts in the home theatre set up. Can I simply add another set of cables to the speakers from the receiver? Is there a safer way of doing it via some sort of switch box without compromising the Hi Fi sound quality? Thanks, Dave
If you just add another set of cables, the outputs of both amps will be connected together (albeit at the speaker). Amps are not designed to have their outputs driven into. Depending on the design of amp, you might just get away with it if the unused amp is switched off, but I really wouldn't recommend it. With both amps on, they will 'fight' to control the speaker voltage with possibly expensive results.
You can use an A/B switchbox in reverse, connect the speakers to the common and the amps to A and B. If you do, make sure it is a switchbox that is either A or B - a number on the market have the choice of A, B or A&B - which you do not want.
Inevitably another set of contacts in the speaker chain will degrade the sound. How much will depend on the contact resistance in the switch. A good quality switch with low resistance contacts and good internal wiring and connectors should be undetectable. Others may be able to recommend a good make, all the ones I have used have been cheap tat and best avoided.