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Not enough inputs? A recommendation.

Z

ziggydave

Active Member
Hi, I have been contemplating buying a Luxman source switch for a while, but at around £130 plus and from Japan, I was building up to it. I know there are lots of cheap alternatives on eBay and others, but I really didn't want a plasticky thing, we've all tried them at some point. Anyway, I found one which claimed to be of good construction, all metal case etc, and at £13 delivered I took a punt.
Well it arrived today, and I am VERY impressed. It is indeed solid metal casing, well put together, robust switch action, has a quality feel, looks fine to me (decent finish and decals) and in use there is no additional noise or hum that I can detect. I like it so much, I have ordered a second and a speaker switch too, I'll report back on that (good or bad) when it arrives.
I know its not one for the purists but I thought I would pass on the info. It's manufactured by e-audio, 3 way audio source selector (with the knob, not push buttons). Here's a link but there are several outlets selling it. By the way, I am not affiliated, just surprised at the quality.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224672584672?hash=item344f8793e0:g:OzMAAOSwEvRhgUAT
 
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What devices are you hooking to the inputs?
I want a switch for 2 TTs to 1 phono input on my amplifier. Both TTs have a separate ground that I can connect to the amplifier ground terminal.
TT hum is my main concern
 
audiocrzy said:
What devices are you hooking to the inputs?
I want a switch for 2 TTs to 1 phono input on my amplifier. Both TTs have a separate ground that I can connect to the amplifier ground terminal.
TT hum is my main concern
Click to expand...
That's actually my next experiment, and why I have ordered a second unit. I am only using it so far for aux inputs (CD, Streaming etc) but I originally went down this route because a couple of people on here suggested that the Luxman unit worked fine for low level signals too, like turntables, and that unit has a ground screw. This unit is a full metal box, so I am going to try to fit my own ground screw hoping the box will screen sufficiently. Watch this space, I'll report back when I've tried it.
 
ziggydave said:
That's actually my next experiment, and why I have ordered a second unit. I am only using it so far for aux inputs (CD, Streaming etc) but I originally went down this route because a couple of people on here suggested that the Luxman unit worked fine for low level signals too, like turntables, and that unit has a ground screw. This unit is a full metal box, so I am going to try to fit my own ground screw hoping the box will screen sufficiently. Watch this space, I'll report back when I've tried it.
Click to expand...
Contacted eBay seller and they claim TTs shouldn't be a problem and either should hum. We will see because I ordered one from Amazon. Tried to order one using the EBay link you provided but it failed saying seller doesn't ship to my address. Must be a USA thing
 
audiocrzy said:
Contacted eBay seller and they claim TTs shouldn't be a problem and either should hum. We will see because I ordered one from Amazon. Tried to order one using the EBay link you provided but it failed saying seller doesn't ship to my address. Must be a USA thing
Click to expand...
Ah, OK, well I guess we'll find out together...
 
It has arrived and I can confirm, it works perfectly! No increased hum or noise. A good solid unit. Very happy. Obviously I have kept cables to a minimum length and used good quality ones (nothing expensive, I'm an empiricist!).
If you are looking for an inexpensive way to connect up to three turntables to one phono input, It's worth a punt. I'm not saying it will work for you, but it works for me.IMG-2240.jpg
 
ziggydave said:
Yes, I bought a second and I'm using one for aux inputs and one for three turntables. They work great.
Click to expand...
Almost didn’t get it.
Ordered it through Amazon UK because the ebay seller wouldn’t ship to the USA. Several days after I ordered it because it hadn’t shipped yet Amazon told me if it didn’t ship in 7 days the order would be canceled. I emailed the seller and convinced them to ship it so the order didn’t get canceled. They were very cooperative and came through.
 
Glad it worked out. It's strange, I've been looking for a solution like this for quite a while. I posted quite a few times on here too, but apart from the expensive Luxman option, people were very reluctant to recommend anything. As far as I know, the company is still making these, they are not new old stock. But as you say, they are very well made for the price. I chose to make one slight alteration, The unit I use for turntables I decided to modify by adding a link wire between the top and the base case parts to ensure the shielding was effective, but to be honest I'm not sure it was needed because I didn't try it before modifying it. Certainly for line level level use it works just fine and in our cases it works fine for phono too.
I also think it's interesting to think about how they are marketed. We all know how susceptible to hum and interference the very low level cartridge signals are. Although the boxes work fine for us, I can imagine in some circumstances with placement issues and external forces, perhaps some interference may be introduced. But that can happen without it. The company only advertise it for use with auxiliary inputs and not phono (it's the same with the Luxman unit!). I can imagine the hyperbole of dissatisfaction from some people if they bought it for turntable use and it didn't perform. Perhaps the Japanese consumer has more understanding of this, I don't think the Luxman unit was ever marketed in the UK either!
 
I've been using a similar piece for about 8 months now. I cannot detect any sound degradation. It is inexpensive and it works.box.jpeg
 
Hi, Interesting. Similar but not the same. What manufacturer is that? A fourth input is useful. Do you have a link to it, or information where to order it from?
 
JSanders2056 said:
Switch Box, 4 Way Input, RCA Female Connections, Metal Case
Click to expand...
Thanks for that. I followed the link through to their UK division (Farnell), but the listing isn't available in the UK by the looks of things. Here's the page for the US, listing 3, 4 ans 5 way devices. They do look well made and very reasonably priced. I wonder why they don't sell them in the UK? I might email to see what the situation is.

https://www.newark.com/c/audio-video/home-a-v/switches?st=rca+switch+box&showResults=true

With so many cheaply made devices available in fleabay etc, it's good to know these work well and can be relied upon. Why no-one (to my knowledge) has mentioned them before is a mystery.
 
If you cannot find what you need. I could purchase from Newark and ship it to you at cost. Just a thought.
I have no idea if the cost to ship would be prohibitive
 
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