Are these switch boxes any good?

[Wally Swift]

I have this RCA switch box and I was thinking about using it so my CD player and Reel to Reel can share the same Aux imput on my receiver. Do these generally degrade the sound quality?

http://www.amazon.com/RCA-VH911-Video-Switch-Box/dp/B00008X5DE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Previously I only used it for VCRS.

 

[Pandovski]

Its a passive switch box so I doubt it will have an audible signature.

Worst case scenario time shows that its internal components are oxidation prone. In that case just don't use it or deoxit once in 5 years.

 

[ferninando]

RS used to sell a good one. cheep.

 

[Wally Swift]

deoxit once in 5 years.

It doesn't come apart. Deoxit straight into the RCA inputs?

 

[Wally Swift]

RS used to sell a good one. cheep.

I've got a RS one around here somewhere also.

 

[bobaloniny]

Ive had bunches of those over the years, and truthfully Ive only had 2 maybe 3 that had any problems, sound degradation-wise or just plain wont work for whatever reason.

 

[Pandovski]

It doesn't come apart. Deoxit straight into the RCA inputs?

Spray the jacks and if you can put the spray straw further in just try flushing the bits inside too. No harm if you over do it. Its just plastic and metal inside and deoxit is dielectric.

 

[Wigwam Jones]

The biggest issue I've ever noticed with those (I have a cheap Radio Shack one that also switches a composite video signal; I just ignore the yellow jack and use it for audio only) and I doubt you'll ever need to use Deoxit on yours. If you want to be doubly safe, use it as a switch when the receiver or amp is off; then there is no chance of it sending funky noise into the unit while switching.

 

[Wally Swift]

I found the Radio Shack box, which is a more recent purchase than the RCA box. Hooked everything up and everything seems ok.

If you want to be doubly safe, use it as a switch when the receiver or amp is off; then there is no chance of it sending funky noise into the unit while switching.

I did that to test the RtR connection. After, with the receiver on I switched the knob on the receiver from Aux to the next position with the volume down, switched the box to CD then switched the receiver back to Aux. Seemed like the safest method.

 

[Wigwam Jones]

I found the Radio Shack box, which is a more recent purchase than the RCA box. Hooked everything up and everything seems ok.

I did that to test the RtR connection. After, with the receiver on I switched the knob on the receiver from Aux to the next position with the volume down, switched the box to CD then switched the receiver back to Aux. Seemed like the safest method.

I suspect that will work well for you. Even if it does no damage, I don't like to subject my speakers to loud cracks or thumps or any kind of electronic switching noise, so I try to remember to turn everything down before changing inputs either on the unit itself or via an external box. Probably doesn't matter but makes me feel better.

 

[Coastsider]

I use an Ocean Matrix OMX-9056 switch with my Sony ES gear which allows me to not only select one of four sources but to direct that source to one of four target devices. I use it to port CDP's to a Receiver, Integrated Amp, and two Preamp/Amp pair. I love the flexibility it provides and find it to be a very high quality device which it's price tag reflects. Probably past the point of diminishing returns but I use a number of different switches in this particular setup and because I value the components, did not want to low ball the switches.

Here are the features and specs if anyone is interested:

Features:

High quality switching elements, for high isolation between inputs
All unselected inputs are internally terminated with 75 Ohm resistors
Carefully designed double sided PCB, especially suited for high frequency work. Mechanical (Passive) Switching - No power required.
Separate Audio & Video Switching - One crosspoint (each).
Desktop Size - Compact size. Two units can be rack mounted side-by-side in a 2U rack space with the optional RK-4E/S adapter.

Technical Specifications:

INPUTS: 4 video, 1Vpp/75 Ohms on BNC connectors. 4 audio stereo, up to 36Vpp on RCA connectors.
OUTPUTS: 4 composite video (or RGBS), 1Vpp/75 Ohms on BNC connectors. 4 audio stereo, up to 36Vpp on RCA connectors.
SWITCHING SYSTEM: Mechanical, "Break-before-make".
CROSSTALK: -42dB. Chroma, - 60dB. Sync.
BANDWIDTH (-3dB): 475MHz.(video), 100kHz.(audio).
DIMENSIONS: 18.8cm x 7cm x 7cm (7.4" x 2.7" x 2.7") W, D, H.
WEIGHT: 0.65kg. (1.4lbs) approx.

I have no affilitation. Just a satisfied customer.