Two devices, one set of speakers--cheap solution?

[coolkatz321]

So, I'll keep this short--I have a stereo and a turntable and one set of speakers. Is there some super-cheap solution that would allow me to switch between the two devices? The speakers really aren't good enough for me to warrant buying a receiver. Thanks!

 

[NutBucket]

What kind of turntable have you got that doesn't need an amp?

At any rate, there are many passive speaker switches available. You just have to find one that doesn't have impedance matching. That's designed to protect the amp when you use multiple speakers on one amp. I have a 6-way switch that allows me to share multiple amps with one set of speakers.

 

[coolkatz321]

Can you link me to an example? Thanks!

 

[Howard]

The turntable goes directly to the speakers? What?

 

[NutBucket]

Here's an example:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_543AB22/Russound-AB-2-2.html?tp=2997

Cheaper can be found elsewhere (I got my from Ebay) but its what I could find quickly.

 

[coolkatz321]

The turntable goes directly to the speakers? What?

Yep. Like I said--trying to do this as cheaply as possible, as this isn't the most expensive turntable (quite cheap, obviously).

 

[SithSolo1]

Any chance you could link your specific speakers, turntable, and stereo?

 

[slashbinslashbash]

Any chance you could link your specific speakers, turntable, and stereo?

Ditto. Most turntables require a receiver/pre-amp. If yours has a built-in pre-amp (or even a built-in amp? or do your speakers have a built-in amp?) then the answers you get in this thread will change drastically. Gotta know what you already have, or else people will tell you to get the wrong things.

 

[piasabird]

Well if you have 2 sources and one set of speakers maybe a simple Media selector would work. I have used such a device between a TV and multiple video sources. It would work with audio, just as easily. It would just use less cables. Instead of L/R/Video it would just use L/R.

 

[piasabird]

Maybe a cheap mixer would work also.

 

[MrGlobe]

Is it an all-in-one system? Turntable, amp, pre, tuner that you just connect speakers to? Like others have said, usually you would plug the turntable into the phono inputs on the stereo receiver, and then the speakers would be connected to the speaker outputs on the stereo. If it is an all-in-one system, sometimes there are outputs for extension speakers. A speaker selector like the one linked above is a good idea, but I would try to find a used one as they are pretty simple devices and there are thousands of them out there.

 

[coolkatz321]

Alright guys, sorry for the lack of response--here's all the info. It's a cheap/crappy setup, but it's doing the job for now.

Stereo (also has the speakers I'm using): Memorex MX4110MP3

Turntable: Jensen--http://www.amazon.com/Jensen-3-Speed-Stereo-Turntable-Silver/dp/B000UVKE2I

 

[JSt0rm]

so it is line level output. No need for a preamp and the ab switch listed above would work.

 

[JSt0rm]

actually that thing is horribly over priced

 

[JSt0rm]

actually im total confused as to what you need. You have a stereo and a turntable that has speakers in it and fm/am radio?

whats hooked up to the stereo?

*if* you can go line out of the turntable and its not just cheap amp to some old speakers you could take that line out to the aux input on your stereo *if* it has a line input then go to the speakers from the stereo.

 

[coolkatz321]

actually im total confused as to what you need. You have a stereo and a turntable that has speakers in it and fm/am radio?

whats hooked up to the stereo?

*if* you can go line out of the turntable and its not just cheap amp to some old speakers you could take that line out to the aux input on your stereo *if* it has a line input then go to the speakers from the stereo.

Sorry, can you explain that last part?

Look, I'll try to explain again--what I have:

Turntable with built-in speakers, but also the traditional L/R out for audio cables.
Stereo w/ two speakers. Currently, the stereo speakers are hooked up to the turntable, and the stereo isn't in use right now.

The stereo has no aux in, and just the L/R out on the back. I'm trying to use the speakers that came with the stereo for both devices.

 

[JSt0rm]

on this picture what do the outputs look like

 

[coolkatz321]

on this picture what do the outputs look like

The bottom two sets, definitely not the plug-style.

 

[JSt0rm]

ok the problem there is they are both sending amplified signals to your speakers.

You could ATTEMPT to just hook them both up but you would need to be very careful and only have 1 on at the same time.

Those are called speaker terminals and the top red white ones are called rca.

 

[coolkatz321]

ok the problem there is they are both sending amplified signals to your speakers.

You could ATTEMPT to just hook them both up but you would need to be very careful and only have 1 on at the same time.

Those are called speaker terminals and the top red white ones are called rca.

Thanks for the help--could you elaborate on what I'd need to do this? Getting a bit confused.

 

[JSt0rm]

do you have the speakers hooked up with speaker wire to the stereo?

You need more speaker wire to connect the speaker terminals on the turntable to the speakers as well.

Know that you could damage your speakers like this and you have to only have 1 thing on at a time.

 

[JSt0rm]

This is a safer solution

http://www.nilesaudio.com/product.php?prodID=DPS-1&recordID=Source%20Switching%20Systems&categoryID=Automated%20Switching%20Systems&catcdID=10&prdcdID=FG00003

here to buy


http://www.amazon.com/Niles-Audio-DPS-1/dp/B00006HOFR/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

[SNC]

For $30.00 and shipping I have a really nice Sony receiver here ready to ship! Problem solved.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

Ok, JSt0rm is being brief but he is correct. The problem here is that both of your devices are outputting speaker-level, or high-level signal. I.e., it is amplified and intended to go to speakers, and ONLY to speakers. They generally can *not* be input into other audio devices (except for some specialty equipment designed to handle high-level signals).

Most audio devices connect with the circular connectors (called "RCA connectors") that are in the photo that JSt0rm provided. This is called a low-level, or pre-amp-level signal (although it can potentially be used to power headphones, or a headphone jack can be used as a stand-in for a low-level signal).

Neither of your devices will ever be able to output to a receiver or most other audio equipment except through the headphone jack.

A speaker source selector like JSt0rm linked is exactly what you need. However, it costs the sum of what your existing equipment is worth; and it will prove of limited usefulness in other scenarios (i.e. it is hard to imagine a situation in the future where you will need this same piece of equipment). IMHO you would be much better off ditching the Memorex thing and spending the $100 at a pawn shop/garage sale/craigslist and getting into a real receiver + speakers and running a $2 cable from the turntable's headphone jack into the receiver.

http://madison.craigslist.org/ele/2847639585.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/ele/2850154653.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/ele/2856882472.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/ele/2855917643.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/ele/2805503069.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/ele/2829343812.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/ele/2826957076.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/ele/2821241356.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/ele/2810901548.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/ele/2800182730.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/ele/2812383826.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/ele/2853619345.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/ele/2811867092.html

Not saying that's all good stuff, but it'll all be head and shoulders above your little Memorex system, and there's actually some pretty decent stuff in there that I wouldn't mind owning for the price. Here is the headphone jack to RCA adapter:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10218&cs_id=1021815&p_id=5597&seq=1&format=2