Day: April 15, 2010

Push Button Switch Allows you to Alternate Between Two Sound Sources or Two Pairs of Speakers

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Niles ABA-1D A-B Selector for Amplifiers or Speakers, White

The Niles ABA-1D A-B Selector for Amplifiers or Speakers is a wall-mount, Decora-style A-B selector that enables you to play either of two amplifiers through a shared pair of loudspeakers. Conversely, the unit may be used to play a single amplifier into either of two pairs of loudspeakers. It features self-cleaning, silver-plated switch contacts assure many years of trouble-free use, and a printed circuit board design uses no hand wiring, assuring high reliability. The circuit board connectors can accommodate up to 14 gauge wire, making the ABA-1D compatible with most ‘high definition’ speaker cables. Interchangeable Decora inserts (sold separately) can be used for fast, easy color change. It has been 100% tested, electronically and acoustically, for frequency response, distortion and power handling. The isolated left and right channel grounds make it safe for use with any amplifier. It May be used with 4, 6, or 8 ohm speaker systems and is ideal for both home and commercial sound installations. This product includes a matching Decora-style wall plate.

This product is also available in bone

  • Power Handling: 350 Watts per Channel RMS
  • Connectors Accommodate Up To 14-gauge Wire
  • Removable Button And Decora Insert For Quick And Easy Color Changes (Other Colors Sold Separately)
  • Dimensions: 2-3/4″ Wide X 4-1/2″ High X 2-1/2″ Deep
  • Frequency response: Flat from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
  • Requires 1-gang Electrical Box At Least 3″ Deep
  • Price: $42.95

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    Tax Day! Expecting a Tax Return?

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    Are you one of the lucky millions of Americans that is expecting a tax refund this year? What better way to spend your tax refund than improving the value of your home.

    When you make a home improvement, such as installing central air conditioning, adding a sunroom or replacing the roof, you cannot deduct the cost in the year you spend the money. But if you keep track of those expenses, they may help you reduce your taxes in the year you eventually sell your house.

    You add the cost of capital improvements to your tax basis in the house. Your tax basis is the amount you’ll subtract from the sales price to determine the amount of your profit. A capital improvement is something that adds value to your home, prolongs its life or adapts it to new uses.

    There’s no laundry list of what qualifies, but you can be sure you’ll be able to add the cost of an addition to the house, a swimming pool, a new roof, and a new central air-conditioning system. It’s not restricted to big-ticket items, though. Adding an extra water heater counts, as does adding storm windows, an intercom, or a home security system. (In 2009 and 2010, certain energy-saving home improvements also yield tax credits when you make them.)

    The cost of repairs, on the other hand, is not added to your basis. Fixing a gutter, painting a room or replacing a window pane are examples of repairs rather than improvements.

    Being prepared
    •Make a special folder to save all your receipts and records for any improvements you make to your home.

    •If you’ve lived in your house for many years, and if area housing prices have been gradually going up over all those years, a portion of your gain on sale could be taxable. If so, you can reduce the taxable gain by including the improvements in the cost basis of the house.

    •If you operate a business from your home or rent a portion of your home to someone, you may be able to write off part of your home’s adjusted basis through depreciation. If you do so, when you sell the house you can’t exclude the amount of depreciation you took under the $250,000/$500,000 gain exclusion break. Also, the cost of repairs to that portion of your home may be currently deductible