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Bad to split connection on single input amp to more than one source?

post #1 of 14
11/1/10 at 10:24pm
Thread Starter 
Just bought a headphone amp but only has one input. If I run 2 coax connections one from each channel of the input to a splitter cable for each source and run and extension cable from splitter cable would that degrade any quality? Want to be able to use my computer and xbox as sources. I know it sounds like a lot but its simple. I eventually want to make my own cables so these connections can be easier.


Amp RCA left > splitter > one left channel to each source.

Amp RCA right > splitter > one right channel to each source.
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post #2 of 14
11/1/10 at 10:39pm

Haven't tried it myself, but go ahead, try,  and trust your own ears.  You can't damage anything I think.  

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post #3 of 14
11/1/10 at 10:42pm

Forgot to mention there are splitter boxes that do the same thing, made with audiophile quality construction and materials can be found to accomplish the same thing.  The one from Decware just popped into my mind, but I'm sure there are plenty of others with all sorts of price ranges, or like your soon to be cables, DIY.

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post #4 of 14
11/2/10 at 8:55am
Thread Starter 
I will loom into that thanks. Yeah my first thought was a splitter box but didn't know any brands or places to look. I'll try a splitter box first before I make that maze of cables lol. Oh and regular Digital coax cables are just RCA cables right? So I can use separate cables for both channels?
Edited by spitfire91104 - 11/2/10 at 9:41am
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post #5 of 14
11/2/10 at 9:00am

ACK!

it is advisable NOT to do this, if I understand you correctly.

 

What you are trying to do (in other words...) is this:

You have 2 sources, and you want to tie them together at the inputs of your amp with a T-splitter or something like that. 

Dont do this. 

 

You can get a 2 or 4-way source selector from radio-shack for about $20 that will do this much more better-er.

 

Just to clarify a little further, its extremely unlikely that your amp has coax inputs. Most amps have RCA inputs. Mild nitpicking, but either way its a bad idea.

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post #6 of 14
11/2/10 at 9:43am
Thread Starter 
Oh ok. Reason I asked about digital coax was because monoprice does not have any RCA cables and I don't want to go to radioshack and pay a fortune for junky cables. Any suggestions on where to buy quality rca cables?
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post #7 of 14
11/2/10 at 10:15am

What do you mean monoprice doesn't have RCA cables, of course they do, look under

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10218

 

x2 nikongod - don't connect output of 2 sources, they don't like that. tongue.gif

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post #8 of 14
11/2/10 at 10:17am

Post on the buy/sell section of what you needs.Is best to find someone customer-made one for you.

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post #9 of 14
11/2/10 at 11:31am

monoprice has a suitable switcher too smily_headphones1.gif

 

I have not actually used this..... but it looks pretty smily_headphones1.gif

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post #10 of 14
11/2/10 at 12:59pm
Thread Starter 
Oh wow. I looked at that page on my phone and didn't see rca it cut off after the 3.5mm ones. I knew something was wrong but forgot about how the iPhone sometimes cuts things short. Yeah I'm going to need that switcher. Would all recommend the monoprice one or the Decaware one? Thanks
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post #11 of 14
11/2/10 at 1:00pm

Generally, I prefer the simplest ones.

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post #12 of 14
11/2/10 at 5:30pm
Thread Starter 

Got a 2 in and 1 out RCA switch for $16. Plastic looks cheap but connectors look normal. Ill see how it works out. Just ordered some RCA cables from monoprice. Hope this switch wont degrade sound quality. Any ideas? Should i just return and get that monoprice one? I can wait a little while since i wont be getting the adapter for the 360 to use RCA anytime soon. I might post on the buy/sell like i was advised but no idea how much to offer. Ugh !!!

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post #13 of 14
11/2/10 at 5:39pm

you could easily DBT the switch. 

 

Have a trusted friend sit behind a curtain and swap a 1m cable and 1m of cable with a switch in it for you. 

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post #14 of 14
11/2/10 at 6:06pm
Thread Starter 
Oh that works too lol. Didn't think of it.
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