GCX - A/B/C/D switching with or without "Y" cables???

[The Blue Letter]

So I think I need some help wiring up my GCXes a bit better. I currently have 3 GCXes controlled by my GCP, and my signal is split between 4 pre-amps and then into 2 stereo power amps into 4 - 4x12" cabinets: for a left/right & top/bottom scenario. I have some low quality "Y" cables (for the moment that is all I could find) to split the signals in the GCX Loops, but was wondering if there is a more efficient and better sound quality way to separate the signal to A/B/C/D the pre-amps without the use of the "Y" cables. Most of the time I am running all four pre-amps simultaneously, and switch some out of the signal for "quieter" parts and such so it seems to me that something almost like a midi version of the Voodoo Lab "Amp Selector" would be perfect, but if anyone has any ideas I am all ears.
Please let me know
Thanks a lot.
Dan

[JohnClark]

Don't give in to cable envy! The one thing I see missing from your post is any mention of a problem. Is there something you don't like about the way the rig currently sounds? If you suspect the Y cables are creating some problem then compare the sound of a single preamp with and without the Y cables in place.

[mesaboogiewes]

I looked and couldn't find exactly what I was thinking in the format you need - but I know they make them. Basically what I'm talking about it a line splitter that would have a buffer to keep you from losing any of your signal. It would be like a small DI box with one input and 2 outputs (or 4 if you could find it, but most likely you'll need 2 or 3 of the 1 in 2 out boxes. There's a company called whirlwind that makes exactly what I'm talking about in an XLR format, but I couldn't find it in a 1/4" cable format...

And not to be rude, because I have no idea what kind of preamps you have or whatever - but it seems to me like it would be much more efficient to just buy a amp or preamp that has 4 channels. I know mesa boogie makes a road king which has both excellent clean and dirty channels with plenty in between, and I believe ENGL makes a preamp that has multiple channels as well. These channels would be much easier to externally switch with either your GCX's - or with a RJM electronics amp gizmo - and wouldn't require you signal be re-routed so much - which is kinda the idea behind have a midi-loop-switcher set up in the first place, or at least it is for me. That's just an opinion for suggestive purposes though.

Good luck!

[The Blue Letter]

Hey John Clark and Mesaboogiewes, thanks for the replies.

It isn't that the "Y" cables are messing with my tone, as much as they are messing with how clean I can tie up everything in the back of my rack case. So I guess it is me just being a little anal. But then again I was hoping there might be a better solution that could free up some space too, in some way.

In regards to multi channel amps though... I don't think you were being rude... not at all. I am already using multiple, Multi channel amps... but I am using them all at once (or at least most of the time) into different power amps and cabs to sound really thick and full toned, in a band where I am the only guitar player.

Thanks for the help though.. I'll probably just stick to the "y" cables but maybe find some better ones than what I am currently using.

Thanks again
Dan