Not having much luck finding this online, so figured I'd ask here:

I need a simple 2-channel amp with A/B speakers + 2 inputs. I need the amp to switch outputs based on which input is active. So when input 1 is being used, the 'A' speakers are used and when input 2 is active the 'B' speakers are used.

anyone know of an amp that'll do this? Or if the correct term for this (if there is one) so I can better search for it?

6/16/2009 10:04:06 AM

there is a button on the receiver/remote. press it.

6/16/2009 10:06:17 AM

That's not very helpful... I'm trying to install this amp out of the way somewhere.

Anyone have anything useful to add?

6/16/2009 10:30:43 AM

Do you really want just an amplifier, not a receiver?

Also, since you're having trouble finding this, I'm going to speculate that the feature either doesn't exist or doesn't exist on a cheap enough piece of equipment, so why not look to get 2 separate amps?

6/16/2009 10:41:17 AM

wire each source to a mixer and output to any amp?


EDIT: or something like http://www.happcontrols.com/amusement/jukebox/95078400.htm ?

[Edited on June 16, 2009 at 11:04 AM. Reason : ]

6/16/2009 10:58:35 AM

Something like this I think? http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-video/a-v-switchers/zektor-cvs4-component-video-switcher-900-000021/prod900000021.html

It says passive audio switching, does that mean it does it automatically? Also $399

6/16/2009 11:15:03 AM

wow... thanks for the responses. I think these solutions might be overkill though.

2 amps would theoretically work for what I'm trying to accomplish, but I'm trying to minimize space/cost.

Here's an example of what I'm looking for:

http://www.amazon.com/AudioSource-AMP-100-2-Channel-Bridgeable-Amplifier/dp/B00026BQJ6

This one auto-switches the inputs based on which is active, and has A/B speakers but you can't "map" the speaker sets to the inputs. You have to manually switch the speakers via a button on the front.

It might help if I explain what this is for. I'm trying to hook up 2 airport expresses to this one amp so that I can use my iPhone (via Remote app) to essentially control the amp. So let's say the 'A' speakers are in my kitchen, and the 'B' speakers are outside. I want to be able to fire up Remote, select my "kitchen" airport (input 1) and have the 'A' speakers play or select the "outside" airport (input 2) and have the 'B' speakers play outside.

[Edited on June 16, 2009 at 12:32 PM. Reason : f]

6/16/2009 12:31:09 PM

Could you not also look for just a 4 channel amp that has 2 inputs? Then you could listen to what you wanted outside AND the kitchen at the same time if that is what you wanted to do.

6/16/2009 2:34:16 PM

^that might be a good solution. I dunno, I was really hoping for something that I could completely control w/just my iPhone, but you're right: I might, in some cases, want it to play in both zones.

6/16/2009 3:44:25 PM

Yeah, I know what you're looking for, but typically when you want features that aren't in the main stream, you end up having to pay through the nose for them.

6/16/2009 3:54:39 PM

you could also use a multi-source/zone receiver. They've come way down in price and would allow you to send two different signals, each to a different output Map one set of speakers to one input, the others to another. Hook AirportEx1 and AirportEx2 up. Turn it on, go outside or whereever you're going. You'd then be able to control each zone, independently with your iPhone. It's also going to let you do a lot more stuff than those amps.

6/16/2009 4:10:55 PM

^that sounds like it'd fit the bill. I'm just having a problem confirming online which receivers can do this. I know most of them have A/B speakers, but not all are mappable to different inputs.

can anyone point me to one that does this for sure? And doesn't cost a fortune, preferably.

6/16/2009 4:23:34 PM

could a macro on a decent remote not do this on most receivers using the a/b speaker setting? maybe i'm not fully understanding your issue.

6/16/2009 4:54:41 PM

what's your price range? Or do you just want the least expensive one that will do that?

6/16/2009 5:03:13 PM

Most receivers don't digitally switch A/B outputs, it's usually a physical button as the relays required to switch the voltages/currents at speaker level outs tend to be quite a bit more expensive than a little button.

[Edited on June 16, 2009 at 5:04 PM. Reason : .]

6/16/2009 5:04:28 PM

nm, you're talking about the outs not he inputs.

But the point is, he wants to use his iphone and not a remote. The iphone is only going to allow him to control what's playing through each airport express.

[Edited on June 16, 2009 at 5:17 PM. Reason : .]

6/16/2009 5:09:33 PM

oh. that's what i get for only skimming the thread. sorry.

6/16/2009 5:12:50 PM

Quote :

"Or do you just want the least expensive one that will do that"

this.

It's kind of hard to determine this kind of thing online, b/c all of them just say "A/B speakers" or something like that. I don't think it's a very common feature for the outputs to be auto-switching based on input.

6/16/2009 5:59:04 PM

are you willing to spend 200-300?

6/16/2009 6:15:16 PM

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Denon-AVR-689-7.1-channel-80-watt-Surround-Receiver-Refurbished/3996835/product.html?cid=123620&fp=F&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=12025064

refurbed for $218. but you can find them for @300 or less an amazon and buy.com pretty often. And Amazon may be a good bet conisdering father's day is next weekend.

6/16/2009 7:38:08 PM

So both inputs are not going to be online at the same time?

Buy two cheap DPST or DPDT relays, use one for switching output "A" and the other for output "B" and have a line-detect circuit on your inputs for whether or not you want the relays to be switched on.

6/16/2009 7:54:05 PM

^^do you know that one does the auto-switching for sure? I see it says "dual-zone, multi-room capability", but it doesn't really mention auto-switching. Read some reviews of it, and couldn't find any confirmation.

^I was hoping to find one that's already built vs having to build it myself

6/17/2009 9:17:41 AM

Well that's the point, it won't need to auto-switch if you have a multi-source/multi-zone receiver. It's essentially like having 2 amps in one. Zone 1 will be mapped to AirportExpress1 and Zone2 will be mapped to AirportExpress2. Zone here means a different location, thus a different set of speakers.

You can use just one zone at a time, or you could send a different source to each zone. You could control both AirportExpresses, independently, from your iphone. If you have music playing on airportexpress1, music will play in zone1. If you have music playing on airportexpress2, it will play in zone2, regardless of what is going on in the other zone.

[Edited on June 17, 2009 at 2:11 PM. Reason : .]

6/17/2009 2:07:35 PM

I don't really think they can do "autoswitching" seamlessly just because everytime there is quiet or the gap between songs, the rec. isn't going to know what to do.

A reciever with the multichannel input (which is fairly common/cheap) or the dual zone system is going to be the easiest/cheapest. You could also get a programmable AV control system, but that's look at a lot of money.

[Edited on June 17, 2009 at 2:13 PM. Reason : ]

6/17/2009 2:12:28 PM

Quote :

"Well that's the point, it won't need to auto-switch if you have a multi-source/multi-zone receiver. It's essentially like having 2 amps in one. Zone 1 will be mapped to AirportExpress1 and Zone2 will be mapped to AirportExpress2. Zone here means a different location, thus a different set of speakers. You can use just one zone at a time, or you could send a different source to each zone. You could control both AirportExpresses, independently, from your iphone. If you have music playing on airportexpress1, music will play in zone1. If you have music playing on airportexpress2, it will play in zone2, regardless of what is going on in the other zone. "

OK, I thought the terms A/B speakers and "zones" were interchangeable. If a zone means you can assign a set of inputs to it, then that's exactly what I need. Thanks!

[Edited on June 18, 2009 at 3:30 PM. Reason : de]

6/18/2009 3:30:08 PM