[mrscotchguy]

I am looking for some help, but I do not know if I am posting in the correct section.  Forgive me if this is the case.
 
 
Setup:
Foobar w/ wasapi>> xfi card>> Schiit Bifrost>> Schiit Asgard>> modded T50rp mostly
 
I recently bought Grant Fidelity B-283 mkII Tube Buffer/Processor:

 
At this point, with stock tubes, I am not sure if it improves the sound enough to keep it with my Schiit setup, though I am really loving how it makes my Grados sound.  It has given something to the T50rp, but I am not sure yet if I like what it is doing.
 
Here comes my dilemma, until I am sure about using the Grant with my Schiit gear, I would like to be able to use it with both my headphones and my speakers.  I am wondering if I were to split the signal from the Grant Tube Buffer (using some rca "Y" splitters) to both my Asgard and to my speaker amp, would I lose a significant amount of quality?
 
 Honestly I would prefer to not unplug and replug cables all the time, so this seems like my best temporary solution.  Right now I am splitting the optical signal coming out of my xfi to both the Bifrost and a cheapo Fiio D3.  The D3 "talks" to my amp and sofar I have been happy with its sound for $20.  I figure, I can make a decent improvement to my speakers with the proposed configuration.
 
 I would appreciate any advise or comments.  I am pretty new to this, and the Schiit Bifrost-Asgard combo is my first setup.  Please go gentle on me 

 

[obobskivich]

Yeah, splitters will work in that scenario. That's how they're intended to be used! The buffer should be providing enough current that it won't matter either. See here for more technical: http://www.rane.com/note109.html

If you don't like the idea of splitters, you can get into switches. Like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SWS2325H-27-Definition-Selector/dp/B001VKEF8Q/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1337644362&sr=8-4 (I know, not "hi-fi" - it's just a mechanical switch and you use it "backwards" (the output becomes the input, and the inputs are your various outputs - push the button for the device you want to use)).

If you create a ground-loop, consider a transformer:
http://www.amazon.com/Stinger-SGN20-Ground-Loop-Isolator/dp/B002ZRQ3PW/ref=sr_1_9?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1337644418&sr=1-9



In terms of how I'd set it up:

PC -> Bifrost -> Tube box -> [solution from above] -> Asgard | [whatever else you have]

In terms of y-cable options, there's both y-splitters, like this:
http://www.amazon.com/RCA-AH25-Y-Adaptor-Cable/dp/B00005T3G9/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1337644518&sr=8-3

Splitter "plug" devices:
http://www.amazon.com/Cables-To-Go-40650-Adapter/dp/B000M52X62/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337644518&sr=8-1

And stacking cables:
http://www.amazon.com/RCA-Stacking-Patch-Cable-ft/dp/B0002KR7D6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1337644558&sr=8-2

Get whatever is cleanest/neatest for your specific need.