Y splitters to different amps?, What's your opinion?

[Oktyabr]

Ok, my system currently consists of a relatively new Yamaha RX-V663 integrated AV receiver that I run as my pre and an Adcom GFA-5500 for (currently) my AR9LS and an Adcom GFA-555 (thanks Elroy!) for my DQ-20is.

My predicament arises when I try to run both amps at once. My "rack" is not conducive to easy "a/b"ing of amps and my stupid Yamaha only pre-outs for the front mains and surrounds. I *thought* the "Zone 2" pre-outs could be used to do an easy A/B but Yamaha apparently expects you to connect it only to an amp with it's own dedicated volume control.

Honestly I like the Yammy quite well. A ton of features for the money including DTS-HD and DD-Master audio, the newest wizzbang audio formats prominent on blueray, but I wish I would have tested this feature a little more before buying it. Anyway... here is what I want to do...

Front "main" pre-outs, standard RCA for right and left. Run the best gold plated "Y" splitters that ratshack had available into my standard ICs, in essence allowing me to send the same front channel signal to either/both amps.

Is there any technical reason why I should avoid this setup?

Thanks in advance!

[dingus]

i've been using splitters on my preamp to supply my main amps for quite some time without any issues. i cant think of any reason why this would cause an issue.

[Oktyabr]

Thanks Scott. I figured as much but thought I would check.

The more I learn the more I learn how little I know.

[dingus]

now that i think of it, i also did this with a dual T-amp system driving a pair of ADS L710's stacked on a pair of ADS L-810's.

[socal sam]

I split my pre out four ways to supply my amps. There must be some loss of signal somewhere but the trade off is worth it.

[clint e.]

The voltage across a parallel circuit stays the same in other words you will get the same voltage across both however the current will be split depending on the impedence of the circuits ( different amps with different input impedances ). Some preamps have self loading low impedance outputs (600 to 1000 ohms) intended to drive high impedance inputs (10K to 40K ohms or so) of power amps. What this means is that the power amp input is supposed to sense the voltage but is not expected to draw current. In this situation splitting one output to feed two or more inputs won't make any difference.

[rroobbcc]

Add me to the list of those who have never had a problem doing this. In fact, I have seen the schematics of a few pre-amps with multiple outputs and have never seen one that had separate gain stages for each output. They all simply link the outputs together. Basically just a y-connector inside of the chassis.

[MacGyver]

several years back, i used to use this piggyback stereo RCA L-R set that i got at RADIO SHACK to run the audio output from the DISH NETWORK satellite cable box to both the VCR and stereo receiver at the same time. the reason? so i could get pure sound directly from the box, without it passing through the VCR and being amplified. i had crapola late nineties RCA VCRs back then...

This post has been edited by MacGyver on May 28, 2009 08:50 am