Interesting Sony system switcher

[SteveP]

Picked up an interesting Sony piece a while ago. It's a system selector, the 'Sony Audio II series System Selector.' Has the ability to switch 3 tape sources, 2 tuners, and 2 turntables into 3 receivers, 3 amps, and 3 sets of speakers. I haven't played with it to see how it works, or if it works, but it just looks like a series of switches and a bunch of wiring. I'll attach a few photos in this and the next messages. An audio oddity, or something used in an audio store, or a new must have????? :scratch2:

It cost me very little and I don't have a use for it so PM if interested.

Steve.

here's the front panel and a nudie:

 

[SteveP]

and here's the back panel:

 

[BruceRPA]

PM on the way!

 

[SteveP]

Wow, several PM's already. I really didn't think that anyone would be interested in this oddity. Maybe I shouldn't have posted here, but I'm just looking for shipping and my costs, which were minimal. The thread can be moved to the classifieds if the moderators think that would be best.

Steve.

 

[rickon66]

Very cool item!

 

[SteveP]

I posted pictures on this piece since I hadn't seen anything like it. I don't know whether it's a useful piece or not, but nevertheless I have had several PM's on it and unless something happens it will go to the first person who PM'd me. Sorry to the others. Certainly will need a bunch of RCA's if one wants to use all the options on this beast.

 

[thedelihaus]

Steve,

You're an excellent AK member for offering it up. Thank you for being a member here.

To whomever gets it, would you post detailed pics of the guts? And if possible, any diagrams of the insides? I wonder how hard it would be to build one.

There's a few AK members that have some mobility issues (including me) from illness or injury- I'd like to build a few of these if it's not too expensive and daunting to do. It would make it a bit easier to handle switching out some gear.

I imagine it can't be too difficult, eh? Some pots, RCAs, and some wiring?

A case could be sourced from one of the many ubiquitous Direct TV boxes floating around, or a nice wood box built, no?

 

[Manitoulin]

Steve,

You're an excellent AK member for offering it up. Thank you for being a member here.

To whomever gets it, would you post detailed pics of the guts? And if possible, any diagrams of the insides? I wonder how hard it would be to build one.

There's a few AK members that have some mobility issues (including me) from illness or injury- I'd like to build a few of these if it's not too expensive and daunting to do. It would make it a bit easier to handle switching out some gear.

I imagine it can't be too difficult, eh? Some pots, RCAs, and some wiring?

A case could be sourced from one of the many ubiquitous Direct TV boxes floating around, or a nice wood box built, no?

If you help building it, I am very good at soldering. Suck at fabricating, but can really wire things quite well.

Cheers,
joe

 

[BruceRPA]

There are more modern versions of the Sony switch box available today. They are matrix switchers used for high end home theatre systems. Some may have remote control capability. Here is a link to a company that my former company purchased from http://www.worthdist.com/index1.htm . It might be a good place to look for a matrix switch. They also have links to other manufacturers sites.

Oh, bring your checkbook. These things will cost more than the Sony!

 

[meggy]

Build it and they will come.

Hey, building one from inside AK is a great idea. I'd buy one or possibly help finance the proto, if that what it takes.

I keep searching for similar units but haven't found one quite right.
I'm not the one to build it, but I could offer up a list of suggested functions I'm not seeing in retail or vintage units.

Basic problem seems to be the current retail units are mostly designed for home theater and the vintage ones never anticipated CD's, etc., or fall short of tape monitor capabilities.

Not the list but a couple quickie examples:

- Most of the push button selector switches are mutally exclusive. Speaker selector especially. I run four speakers. I need to play A & B at the same time, not just A OR B. I would love a volume pot on each speaker, but that's maybe overkill for most people.

- Tape (monitor) selectors need a "copy" function. That is, send A to B, or C and listen to "B or C". Not just play A or B or C.

- Digital Input (connector) for TV audio that could be pushed to an outboard
DAC (in order to play audio thru your analog stereo).
- Input (connector) same way for computer audio. Same reason.

The digital In's to one Out becomes a sub-selector tape monitor of sorts. Since most DACs (I've seen) have only one type of in (might have co-ax and optical inputs, but only one of each).

I have almost all this going now, but it took me the whole week-end to move my gear to a new rack because of all the crazy (but working) ways i've got my system tricked out. I'm using a 5-input / 1 TM out switch, a pre-amp and an amp with two tape monitors. One master device would be a Godsend.

 

[axel]

Steve,

Yes, that's an oddity! The big switchers Sony got in its lineups were the SB-3335 and the somewhat ES-II version SB-5335 (see pics).
This looks more like a special unit made for demo & show-rooms. And only Sony could think of "ASS-2" as unit name

 

[subdermis2000]

There's a similar beastie in this thread. http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=70191&highlight=technics+system+selector

As for a DIY unit, I've got the panel mount RCA's and a box to put them in but I just have not had the time to sit down and put it all together. Once the weather turns I'll get to it (I always say this but... ) The version I'm looking at building will be for source/receiver selection as opposed to those two + speakers and I was planning on using short jumpers a la Lily Tomlin instead of switches. Y-jumpers would allow for simultaneous two system use.

 

[TheSonyman1]

Ah yes the ASS-2.

 

[CUlater]

Steve,

Yes, that's an oddity! The big switchers Sony got in its lineups were the SB-3335 and the somewhat ES-II version SB-5335 (see pics).
This looks more like a special unit made for demo & show-rooms. And only Sony could think of "ASS-2" as unit name

Definitely looks like a dealer unit - I'm thinking the 'lamps' output is for indicating with a light which unit(s) on the shelf is playing...

That and the name "ASS-2".

 

[P. Shivers]

There's a Yamaha switcher on eBay now that I mentioned in this thread. It can switch 5 TT's, 5 tape/cdp's, 10 amps, and 20 pair of speakers.

 

[thedelihaus]

Anyone wanting to figure out the plans for this and parts, I've got the time to solder it. I'd be willing to light up the iron to do a few.

As long as you keep it real simple, I've got steady-enough hands.

 

[rstsgsas]

Shhhh

I am going to do my best to get the Yamaha switcher,I was hoping everyone would miss it.I have already bid and am waiting for the end to come.

 

[thedelihaus]

rstsgsas,

you're on a bidding frenzy, eh? didja land that Sansui cheap, by the way?

I'm not going to bid on the Yammie- don't worry.

I wish you the best of luck landing it, my friend!!!

 

[likety split]

Yet another Sony selector

Sorry for replying to this old thread but i'm hoping you will like this Sony selector that sold on a UK auction site last week.

Its the Sony System Selector MK-2

According to the seller it switches 10 pairs of speakers, 10 amps / receivers, 6 aux and 6 phono.

 

[michaelhigh]

Someone ought to build some of these and sell them for reasonable. Everytime the subject comes up a bunch of people spring to their feet and express interest. I for one would get mucho use out of everything I own if I could flip a switch and get different combinations of all my stuff. Think about it, you fabricators, and get a useful cheap product out here for us gearhounds with tons of stuff and little to no diy-ness.