Two devices into one amplifier channel

S

samsonsound

Audiophyte
Hi,

My amplifier doesn’t have enough channels for the amount of devices I have. I’m looking to plug both my Amazon Echo and my turntable into the same amplifier channel via a Y cable. Ideally I’d like to have both the turntable and the Echo working at the same time on the same channel (i.e. ask the Echo whilst listening to a record). Is this possible? What would be a better way to achieve what I want?

Thankful for any help!
 
L

Leemix

Audioholic General
Dont do it, it can damage any and all devices.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
If your turntable has a built-in phono stage (or you use a separate unit), you could use the same input as they'd both be regular line level signals; if your turntable needs the phono stage built into your pre-amp/amp/receiver, then you wouldn't use that same input for both a regular line level signal and the turntable's (due to the need for signal boost and application of the RIAA eq curve on the dedicated phono input). I can't imagine wanting to mix two sources without the use of an actual mixer, tho....

Just what gear do you have?
 
L

Leemix

Audioholic General
A mixer would work, connect both into a mixer and then the output from the mixer into the «amp».
I used a mixer at my computer for years to have computer sound and cd music at same time and later music output from computer via external usb to the mixer and windows/game sounds to the mixer for ease of use since each input on the mixer had a separate volume slider in addition to master volume.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
S

samsonsound

Audiophyte
If your turntable has a built-in phono stage (or you use a separate unit), you could use the same input as they'd both be regular line level signals; if your turntable needs the phono stage built into your pre-amp/amp/receiver, then you wouldn't use that same input for both a regular line level signal and the turntable's (due to the need for signal boost and application of the RIAA eq curve on the dedicated phono input). I can't imagine wanting to mix two sources without the use of an actual mixer, tho....

Just what gear do you have?
Thanks for your response. I’ve got a basic set up. Small three channel amplifier. Turntable. Amazon Echo. I’ve found a small two channel mixer (Compact 2CH by Pulse) that should do the job well! Just thinking now if it’s possible to have Echo somehow working compatibly with all the 3 channels (TV on 1, Piano on 2, turntable on 3) so I can use the Echo at all times?
 
S

samsonsound

Audiophyte
A mixer would work, connect both into a mixer and then the output from the mixer into the «amp».
I used a mixer at my computer for years to have computer sound and cd music at same time and later music output from computer via external usb to the mixer and windows/game sounds to the mixer for ease of use since each input on the mixer had a separate volume slider in addition to master volume.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
That’s great! Thank you. Do you have any recommendations for a small two channel mixer that’s ~ <£50?
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Thanks for your response. I’ve got a basic set up. Small three channel amplifier. Turntable. Amazon Echo. I’ve found a small two channel mixer (Compact 2CH by Pulse) that should do the job well! Just thinking now if it’s possible to have Echo somehow working compatibly with all the 3 channels (TV on 1, Piano on 2, turntable on 3) so I can use the Echo at all times?
By what gear I meant what makes/models? That way we can look at details on our own. Can't help you with devices you want to talk to, don't use them.
 
S

samsonsound

Audiophyte
By what gear I meant what makes/models? That way we can look at details on our own. Can't help you with devices you want to talk to, don't use them.
Gear is:

Pearl Audio Power Amplifier PE-654
JAM Sound turntable HX-TTP200
Amazon Echo Dot 2nd Gen
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Gear is:

Pearl Audio Power Amplifier PE-654
JAM Sound turntable HX-TTP200
Amazon Echo Dot 2nd Gen
Can't find the Pearl. Got a link to it? Is it really just a power amplifier? You don't have a pre-amp of any kind?

The Jam doesn't appear to have a built in phono stage so whatever pre-amp/amp you use, it should have one or you'll need to buy a stand-alone unit.
 
S

samsonsound

Audiophyte
Can't find the Pearl. Got a link to it? Is it really just a power amplifier? You don't have a pre-amp of any kind?

The Jam doesn't appear to have a built in phono stage so whatever pre-amp/amp you use, it should have one or you'll need to buy a stand-alone unit.
The turntable has been working by itself through the amplifier. I can’t find a link either although I know it’s an old one! But at the moment it’s just the turntable and amplifier.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
The turntable has been working by itself through the amplifier. I can’t find a link either although I know it’s an old one! But at the moment it’s just the turntable and amplifier.
I revisited the homedics site for the Jam tt, my first look at their site may have been a newer model so this time looked at the "manual" which doesn't have any precautions about using the rca outs with devices with or without a phono stage, but the needed RIAA/phono stage isn't mentioned at all. On my first visit to the site it indicated in an faq that they didn't supply one. The turntable would still play without a phono stage, but it won't be properly equalized without application of the RIAA eq that the vinyl was recorded with (i.e. you're not hearing what was intended), and generally you need to boost the signal as well with a pre-amp. Try this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA_equalization

Generally one doesn't use a power amp except after using a pre-amp for switching sources and getting signals up to par for the amplifier. That's why I wanted to look at the specifics of your amp. Maybe it's a matter of different search terms but mostly I got references to a Portland (Oregon US) shop called Pearl. Is it Pear or Pearl?
 
highfigh

highfigh

Seriously, I have no life.
Dont do it, it can damage any and all devices.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
The turntable is unlikely to damage the Echo if it doesn't have a preamp, but the cartridge won't be long for this world if that's the case. The web site states that this turntable doesn't have a preamp.
 
highfigh

highfigh

Seriously, I have no life.
Hi,

My amplifier doesn’t have enough channels for the amount of devices I have. I’m looking to plug both my Amazon Echo and my turntable into the same amplifier channel via a Y cable. Ideally I’d like to have both the turntable and the Echo working at the same time on the same channel (i.e. ask the Echo whilst listening to a record). Is this possible? What would be a better way to achieve what I want?

Thankful for any help!
If your turntable is the same as the one in the link, use the 3.5mm jack on the back. If the turntable is able to switch from LP to aux in, it should work.

https://uk.jamaudio.com/sound-turntable
 
L

Leemix

Audioholic General
The turntable is unlikely to damage the Echo if it doesn't have a preamp, but the cartridge won't be long for this world if that's the case. The web site states that this turntable doesn't have a preamp.
Connecting two sources with a Y cable into an amp is not entirely safe. Sure the chance of something breaking right away isnt great, but better safe then sorry, especially since its unlikly to work well without a mixer or something similar


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
I.Did.Not.See.That.

It might, for a while.

". I’m looking to plug both my Amazon Echo and my turntable into the same amplifier channel via a Y cable. Ideally I’d like to have both the turntable and the Echo working at the same time on the same channel (i.e. ask the Echo whilst listening to a record). Is this possible? What would be a better way to achieve what I want? "

Altho maybe I just assumed he'd be asking the Echo to play something....
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
This is the amp he has.





He is in the UK. These amps seem to be available from eBay sellers. I suspect this is some nasty Eastern European contraption.
It has three line level inputs no RIAA.

The turntable which seems even nastier, I'm ashamed to admit seems to be made in the UK.

The details and specs are almost impossible to comprehend.

It appears to have two speakers connected to a couple of 1.5 watt amps.

There is a line in to make other devices able to be connected and play through the speakers.

The RCA outs are from the power amps apparently to connect to external speakers.

There is no preamp out suitable for connection to his integrated amplifier according to the Q & A section.

This is quite one of the nastiest devices I have come across in many along day. He has no good solutions with this turntable.
 
A

Andrein

Senior Audioholic
This is the amp he has.





He is in the UK. These amps seem to be available from eBay sellers. I suspect this is some nasty Eastern European contraption.
It has three line level inputs no RIAA.

The turntable which seems even nastier, I'm ashamed to admit seems to be made in the UK.

The details and specs are almost impossible to comprehend.

It appears to have two speakers connected to a couple of 1.5 watt amps.

There is a line in to make other devices able to be connected and play through the speakers.

The RCA outs are from the power amps apparently to connect to external speakers.

There is no preamp out suitable for connection to his integrated amplifier according to the Q & A section.

This is quite one of the nastiest devices I have come across in many along day. He has no good solutions with this turntable.
There is something written on the back in chinese))) Doubt it is eastern european stuff
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
There is something written on the back in chinese))) Doubt it is eastern european stuff
Do not seem to be any new sales. Lots have been sold used only in Germany. According to one listing they are made in Germany. Power is only 7.5 watts RMS per channel.

Should think the thing is pretty much useless.
 
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