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Two Turntables - Using a RCA Switch?

In the past I have used a passive Radio Shack 4 way switch box.
raio shack switchbox.jpg
Probably not ideal for the low output of a phono cartridge but It didn't sound bad and allowed me to use 2 tables with 1 receiver.
Did not then have the better carts and sound system I have since accrued so maybe I never heard it's limitations.
One thing I did learn was - don;t even bother with any switcher that has a power supply!!.. Will only add noise to the signal path. Passive switching only.
Ditched it when finally got smart, and lucky to find a deal on a Yamaha C-50 preamp.
Will never go back after getting the lowly C-50!.. Sounds great to me and allows to run 2 MM tables plus a MC table.. Tough to beat that imo.
 
elcoholic said:
I’ve used the Schiit Sys passive pre to switch sources for my headphone amp. Super clean. On a whim I tried it with 2 turntables and was really surprised how clean it was.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't really recommend the SYS for that purpose, though. Because even with the volume control of the SYS turned up to the maximum that would reduce the load impedance to the 10 kOhm pot of the SYS in parallel to the input impedance of the phono stage/section - so usually 47 kOhm in parallel to 10 kOhm, resulting in ca. 8245 Ohm. Depending on the cartridge, that can make quite a bit of a difference.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
I now have three turntables in my system, and couldn't find a switch I liked to handle them. My preamp has pretty limited input options, but it's got a fantastic phono stage so I didn't want to use outboard phono stages with two of the tables. I made a fancy switch box using a board with sealed relays I got on Amazon. Very nicely made. It switches the signal + and - for each input. I connect all the turntable grounds at the preamp. I still get more hum than I'd like. I used shielded cable throughout. It's on my list to hunt down and kill the hum, but for now I live with it. (The relays use DC, so that's not the source. I think I have to work on shielding the switch box enclosure better.)
 
lini said:
I wouldn't really recommend the SYS for that purpose, though. Because even with the volume control of the SYS turned up to the maximum that would reduce the load impedance to the 10 kOhm pot of the SYS in parallel to the input impedance of the phono stage/section - so usually 47 kOhm in parallel to 10 kOhm, resulting in ca. 8245 Ohm. Depending on the cartridge, that can make quite a bit of a difference.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
Click to expand...
I was thinking the pot would be shorted at zero attenuation (full volume). Why would there be any resistance in a totally passive preamp?
 
elcoholic said:
I was thinking the pot would be shorted at zero attenuation (full volume). (...)
Click to expand...

Typically rather not. Because typical attenuator usage of a pot is as a variable voltage divider. So the whole pot resistance is between signal input and common ground - and the wiper goes to the signal output, with its position determining the division ratio.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
Cart signals are tiny, especially those from MC and LOMC types. A switch has to be of high quality to not degrade the output from those. I typically swap cables between my two TTs when I want to change over, which is not that often, and don't use a switch at all. Line level sources are fine when used with switches. If you have the luxury of two phono preamps, then switching between their outputs is fine.
 
I use a Niles TSB-3 switcher the best thing since sliced bread, I connect subs,tuners,anything you have need for multiple sources with only one input available.
Connect your phono input into the output of the switch then connect both TT outputs into the switch and you can switch back and forth. I think I have the setup right. Anyway it works...see photo
Here is a photo of the switch connected to my aux on my receiver. Connected and switched are my blue ray player,and 2 tuners. Wonderful gadget
P,s can be used with output and input signals

20210717_144310.jpg
 
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lini said:
Typically rather not. Because typical attenuator usage of a pot is as a variable voltage divider. So the whole pot resistance is between signal input and common ground - and the wiper goes to the signal output, with its position determining the division ratio.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
Click to expand...
Thanks for the explanation.
 
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