Know of a GREAT sounding analog switch box? RCA or XLR?

I am seeking a switch box that doesn't degrade the input sound. Know of one?

 

What do you plan on switching? Seems to me a switch would be only as good as the cables used to connect it.

 

I want to connect a couple of CDPs to my headphones amp that only has one RCA input.

 

Have you thought about just making one. I built this one for a friend with the same purpose. Uses an Elma switch and RG-316 coax. The black bar in the base is steel used to weight the very light box and keep it from sliding around when you use it.

 

Sounds interesting...i too could do with one because i have only 2 aux on my amp....

 

Can I be your friend too? It looks GREAT.

 

Here's what I use. A little pricey but top notch. Decware only makes the best. No sound degradation whatsoever.

http://www.decware.com/newsite/rotary.htm

 

The best ones, I understand, use relays.

http://www.manleylabs.com/containerpages/skipjack.html

Balanced with XLRs, I don't know of any. Most of the datahandlers that need lots of balanced signals use DB25 connectors instead of bulky XLRs.

ccm

 

Not as pricey as this one.

http://www.goldpt.com/sw4.html

 

Goldpoint uses Elma switches similar to what I used. Mine was solder to pins and they use the solder to PCB.

 

Any chance you could PM me the parts list and other goodie info on that, it looks really sweet!! Hows the RF shielding work for you? Thanks!

 

Or sell us one assembled?

 

All you really need is the Elma switch 04-1261, eight RCA jacks and some wire. I used some RG-316 coax I got off Ebay, but any shielded wire will work fine. Put it in a case, add a knob and some rubber stick on feet and you're good to go.

 

You can also use a Elma 04-1264 (gold contacts). You can find them at:
http://www.partsconnexion.com/SWITCH-73306.html (Canada)
http://percyaudio.com/Catalog.pdf (USA)

 

Wiring those RCA jacks to the switch is my issue. I have not idea what goes where. I would love to do this project if I had a wiring diagram. Would you be so kind to draft one up for us? We beginner DIY folks would love to do this project.

 

I have been using switchers and distributors from Inday for a long timehttp://www.inday.com/av4x/av4x.htm

 

I like that, nice. Most likely switching ic.

 

Try this:

Softone Model 5, made in Japan, $340:

http://www.icl.co.jp/audio/english/Model5/m5-1.htm

Schematics and an inside photo that was too big to post (very clean, nice, and simple) are here:

http://www.icl.co.jp/audio/english/Model5/M5-2.htm

 

You can choose between metal film or carbon comp resistors (for a few bucks more). Here's the inside shot:

 

That has a volume control which I prefer not to have.

 

Note that the link I provided to the Manley Skipjack above contains a lot of strong statements about the preference for using well implemented relays vs mechanical switches.

All of the other suggestions here are mechanical switch based, and also have a lot of contact points, low grade wire, resistors of questionable grade and matching precision, pcbs, and solder joints in the signal path.

You asked for a solution that doesn't degrade the sound. Just sayin'

ccm

 

It is a passive preamp and not just a switch. You would use this in place of your present pre.

 

I bought a couple of these. They're relatively inexpensive and custom made by Mapletree Audio. Excellent quality and construction.


http://hollowstate.netfirms.com/otherproducts.htm

 

Ah, right. The signal only goes through two resistors at any one volume setting, so it wouldn't be a big deal if you set it to line level.

Plus, Softone customizes its products to order as well as sells kits, so it wouldn't be hard to get a switch box-only version.

 

I'm sure the Skipjack is a great sounding product, but it is extremely expensive for what it does. Now, I understand there is a lot of engineering that enables it to work as well as it ostensibly does, but $900 for a switch box just is too rich for my blood. Yeah, I know, it's a computerized switch box, but still . . .