Monitor selector, Balanced Line A/B box

[reshp1]

I'm looking for a very cheap and simple A/B box to switch the L/R line outs of my DAW between a set of active speakers or the amp to a set of passive speakers. I know they make A/B boxes for guitar, but I would prefer to stay balanced. Any ideas?
I've been tossing around the idea of making my own too. Anyone know if I need a 6 pole, double throw (+,-, GND, all switched) or a 4 pole, double throw with all the grounds wired together? I'm thinking wiring the grounds together would work, but maybe I'm overlooking something

 

[SonicAlbert]

Check out the Coleman Audio LS3.

 

[reshp1]

Check out the Coleman Audio LS3.

Yikes! $120. I was thinking like $10. I probably don't need that much functionality either. Maybe DIY is the way to go.

 

[composition4]

Hey,

I'm actually in the process of making something similar (more complex to switch between 2 inputs and 2 *outputs* also, but same principle)...

I was thinking about whether to have a common ground or whether to wire the ground through the switches also; either will work but I've decided to get a 6-pole 2 throw and pass the ground through (why not eh?)

Alternatively you can use two 3-pole, one for left and one for right, if you have trouble finding a 6-pole switch (most with that many pole are rotaries, unless that's what you're after)

 

[thane1200]

Samson C.Control

 

[turnitdown]

I used this until I got a Big Knob... it's passive, so you can hook it up in reverse... it's 3 ins, 1 out... I used it as 1 in 3 outs.... no problem.... $33 !!!!!

http://www.audioreplay.net/tc37eb.html

 

[Halion]

Samson C.Control

Much, much more than 10 bucks.

I'd just go for the cheapest 3 pole switches you can find and put 2 right next to each other (enabling you to flip them both with one movement).

 

[Massive Master]

How about just getting a patch bay?

Easy to use, does exactly what you need, and you can use it for 20 other connections also.

 

[turnitdown]

This really is a useful well made unit for dirt cheap...
(there should be 2 pictures here...)

 

[SonicAlbert]

I just remembered, HOSA makes a switch box too. I forget what it is called, but I'm pretty certain it is less than the Coleman and Samson boxes.

 

[reshp1]

How about just getting a patch bay?

Easy to use, does exactly what you need, and you can use it for 20 other connections also.

I thought of this too, but I'd like something where I could flip a switch back and forth quickly to get A/B comparisons. I made a box over the weekend and it seems to work. I did end up switching the ground connection between the two outputs just to be safe. I couldn't find any 6 pole switches, so I used 2 3pole/double throws, one for left one for right. Cost about 20 bucks for the connectors, switches and case.