[Troyhoot]

I'm trying to make this harder then it is and about to fry my brain. So I figured I would just ask the best way to make a switch to change output from my computer to either my Headphone amp or my speakers. I dont want to lose any signal strength or quality. Signal quality is my main concern. The headphone amp is my usual output. But lately I have wanted to show my wife something on my computer and for her to hear it she has to get my headphones on and sit in my seat ect.

Here is a pic to show you what I want to do.


Imageshack is a bit slow atm so I hope it loads.

 

[intoflatlines]

Can't you buy a source switch and run it backwards? Especially if you're using RCA jacks, it shouldn't be too hard to find.

 

[Bjornboy81]

^yup, if it's just two sources, you can do that.

If you want to build it yourself, use a DPDT switch, tie the grounds all common. The two poles would be your left and right channels, switching to the two throws which would be your outputs.

 

[Marzie]

My solution (with my limited diy experience) would be to use a double pole, double throw switch and three 3.5 (or whatever size you use) jacks, two for outputs and one for the input (from the PC). Just wire the left, right and ground channels to the switch, and put it in a case. If you want to, use silver stranded wire, a gold plated switch, and gold plated (or other high quality type) jacks (I've never seen 3.5mm gold jacks before, but if you are using rca...)

EDIT: Ahh, two responses while I'm typing mine... And a correction, I forgot you don't run the grounds through the switch.

 

[Bjornboy81]

wow....I thought i was a slow typer

 

[Troyhoot]

Thats actually what I was thinking. But I wasnt sure if the signal going through the dpdt switch would degrade the quality. Thats what I meant about over thinking it. Now to find a good quality switch.

 

[Marzie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bjornboy81 /img/forum/go_quote.gif wow....I thought i was a slow typer

LOL, well I open tabs in firefox of all the posts I want to read, and by the time I got to this one, some others had already posted.

 

[J.D.N]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troyhoot /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thats actually what I was thinking. But I wasnt sure if the signal going through the dpdt switch would degrade the quality. Thats what I meant about over thinking it. Now to find a good quality switch.

Is it possible to use a rotary switch? Im just thinking it might be easier to find an 'audio' grade switch of that type.

 

[Bjornboy81]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.D.N /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is it possible to use a rotary switch? Im just thinking it might be easier to find an 'audio' grade switch of that type.

That's what I did:




BTW, I'm not sure if the signal would really degrade that much with a decent switch. I'm also not a believer in expensive cables so....

 

[Uncle Erik]

Radio Shack sells switchboxes and has a return policy. I'd pick up one of those and return it if you hear any signal degradation. I used one for awhile before I got a preamp and I think they're just fine. It is generally better to listen for yourself before deciding what is and isn't audio quality.

 

[Troyhoot]

Well this is what I did for temporary but maybe permanent depending on sound degradation. Around $10 in parts that I could get local.

 

[J.D.N]

Nice work, lets us know how it works out.