ABY switchers

  • Thread starter Thread starter JakeAC5253
  • Start date Start date
I've gone through a bunch. The only one worth buying IMO is the Lehle. I have the Lehle Dual SGOS. Not sure how the Little Dual is, but I'm sure it's great too.
 
I use a Voodoo Labs Amp Selector. It's overkill, but it's reliable, built like a tank, and there are zero noise issues.
 
I have been researching these for a great while now trying to decide which way to go.

there are active and passive, transformer isolated and, non. phase reversal possible, midi etc....

as far as im concerned ignore the non isolated ones. that is just asking for buzz hum and noise issues.

if you have a good buffer (or active pickups) in you rig that you can run before the splitter than the passive radial big shot and lehle p split will work well on a budget.


no buffer? than active is the way to go. from expensive feature and laden little labs psp to the less expensive lehle active midi switchers and the budget radial bones twin city.

if you are looking to split more than two amps like I am, look into the Radial JDV Mk3 Super DI.

also when switching channels of different amps together it is important to keep the phase aligned. different channels have different numbers of gain stages and different end phases. you must audition each combination to decide if it needs phase reversal. i this case i believe the RJM y-not is the best choice as the phase reversal is midi switchable and can be programmed for each combination.

as a last custom option you can have Dave Friedman build you a custom one to suit your needs.

http://www.radialeng.com/di-jdv.htm
http://www.lehle.com/frameset.php?country=us&lang=en
http://www.tonebone.com/bones-twincity.htm
http://www.tonebone.com/re-bigshot-aby.htm
http://www.littlelabs.com/pcp.html
http://www.rjmmusic.com/ynot.php
 
I had a whirlwind A/B/Y switch a while back and it worked great for me. Since I'm not gigging or anything I couldn't really justify spending $200-300 on one just to switch from dirty on one amp to clean on another like I was.
 
Get a RJM Y-not. I just bought one to put in my rack, and it works great! it has a buffer and and is really quiet. Its great :thumbsup:
 
RJM seems to be where it's at. Just don't buy a Morley.
 
RJM Y-Not (Midi Switched)
Lehle (Some can go both ways)

Sadly enough these are the only one's worth shit. You want to have ground lift, phase reverse, and good isolation. Problem with a Voodoo amp switcher is there isn't a phase reverse. Without it, you will likely have an amp playing flat. I am sure there are a couple others though.

Steve
 
I like the looks of the RJM Y-not, but I don't have any MIDI switchers so I'd have to either push the buttons instead or buy a MIDI switcher right?

Also, for just simply running both amps at the same time, I have an MXR KFK 10 band EQ which has two outs. Do you think that this can be usable or will it cause problems? I think the outputs may be opamp buffered, but the pedal itself is hardwire bypass. I figure that if I run the pedal on all of the time and flat EQ that it'll work effectively as a Y split. But I still don't have switching function or phase reversal.
 
get yourself a Lehle Little Dual & dont look back. This will do what you need & do it right.
 
I use the radial passive switcher. Zero problems, works great and has some good features like a ground lift, phase inverter, and Iso switch if you run into noise problems. Wish it had an indicator light to tell which channel you are using but it is totally passive so no light and no need for power to it
 
threadkiller":1dkm6gsi said:
I use the radial passive switcher. Zero problems, works great and has some good features like a ground lift, phase inverter, and Iso switch if you run into noise problems. Wish it had an indicator light to tell which channel you are using but it is totally passive so no light and no need for power to it
Click to expand...

Yep the Radial Bigshot. No noise or tone suck on mine either. Does the job. I used to have a Lehle but it didn't do any better job than the Radial and it's 3x's more $$$$.
 
JakeAC5253":rxbfjzj6 said:
I like the looks of the RJM Y-not, but I don't have any MIDI switchers so I'd have to either push the buttons instead or buy a MIDI switcher right?
Click to expand...
You dont have to buy a midi pedal to switch it. It has a TS or TRS jack (I forget which) so you can use a regular footswitch to switch between amp A and Amp B
 
I haven't had any problems with either the Morley ABY Mix pedal or the Voodoo Labs Amp Switcher :confused:

I've also used the Snarling Dogs ABY--not bad if you can get past the graphic and light scheme.

I've heard the Radial stuff is really good...
 
PaulyPanacea":xl578x3s said:
i have a Lehle Little Dual . have zero issues. zero noise. works like a champion!
Click to expand...
me too. i love mine. no complaints
 
threadkiller":2nr9fadq said:
I use the radial passive switcher. Zero problems, works great and has some good features like a ground lift, phase inverter, and Iso switch if you run into noise problems. Wish it had an indicator light to tell which channel you are using but it is totally passive so no light and no need for power to it
Click to expand...

I never played 2 amp setups. Plan to do so, how could you know if they are out of phase?
 
Nico":3j2se58v said:
threadkiller":3j2se58v said:
I use the radial passive switcher. Zero problems, works great and has some good features like a ground lift, phase inverter, and Iso switch if you run into noise problems. Wish it had an indicator light to tell which channel you are using but it is totally passive so no light and no need for power to it
Click to expand...

I never played 2 amp setups. Plan to do so, how could you know if they are out of phase?
Click to expand...

It's not very subtle, you would know if it was, yet at the same time it's hard to describe. It's kind of like the sound you hear when you hold a seashell to your ear. Hollow sounding.
 
Ive used a lehle with all kinds of amps-metal,country,pop,...vintage/modern..and its dead quiet w/ all of them...plus you can link more together w/ thier cable! Lehle dual s.go.s!
 
I own a Radial Big Shot. It gets the job done if you're running stereo amplifiers, but when you compare each amp with itself without the ABY, you can definitely notice a slight tone degradation. I've been wanting the Lehle active ABY for awhile, but I'm not running a stereo rig anymore, except on occasion to goof around.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top