Build a high quality A/B switch?

Been poking all over the net to look for some A/B type swtiches to make my audio setup a bit more friendly.

I found that there is not a whole lot to choose from and what there is to pick from falls into cheapo made china hardware that I greatly fear will be of poor quality or extremly overpriced "pro" stuff that wont be any better than what I can make myself but for 10x the cost.

Also in many cases they have features that I do not want or need.

So its time to take the DIY route!

I love to build stuff and know how to solder, the parts picking was quick and easy using the Radio Shack website but I do not want to buy anything from them!  Limited choices and incredibly overpriced.

Instead I want to use digikey but problem is they have sooo much stuff that I do not know what to get, not many helpfull pictures to know what I may be ordering.

So I actually have multiple projects in mind, but want to start with the easiest one.

The project is a simple A/B Switch for my headphones.

It will consist of one input 1/8" 3.5mm type on the back side of a small project box.

A single dpdt switch on the top to toggle the output.

And two output jacks of 1/8" 3.5mm type in the front.
 

Here is the ratshack parts list that I want to replace with a digikey parts list:

I like this switch here: DPDT 10-Amp Toggle Switch with Center Off Position. - RadioShack.com

Because its dpdt but also has a center off selection so I can "mute" my headphones with. Its also easy to mount to a project box with a single drill hole.

For the jacks, something simple like this is fine, long as its easy mount via a single drill hole on an enclosure, I can definitely solder the connecting wires so dont need any fancy screw downs.

1/8" Stereo Panel-Mount Audio Jack (2-Pack) - RadioShack.com



So parts list needed from digikey:

> 1 small project box, hard plastic, screw shut type color black
> 3x 1/8" 3.5mm stereo jacks
> 1x dpdt switch preferably with center off like the one linked above.

optionally maybe find a 1/4" stereo jack also just incase I decide to add native support for the larger headphone jacks. My headphone amp actually uses this type of connection.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowjeep 

I am not super familiar with DigiKey but I do know my way around mouser pretty well I'll see what I can put together from them. I'll be back.....

 

Actually you asked for digikey so I'll try it out.....

 

 

Jack:  CP1-3513-ND  x3

 

Switch: 450-1534-ND x1

 

Box:  HM375-ND x1

 

1/4th jack  SC1317-ND  ignore the picture on this i'm pretty sure its of a 1/8th

 

To wire it all together I'd use some silver plated copper. Or solid silver but then most of the total cost would be wire... but you did say high quality. 

Thanks its a great start.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik 

You might want to look around Michael Percy's offerings. He has a lot of boutique switches and other toys that might be pretty affordable compared to commercial switchbox offerings.

I'll take a look what is the URL for this?