line level splitter/distributor?

Optical · 2nd May 2005, 04:34 AM

Im sure this must have been covered before, but i have searched and not found anything.. Or perhaps its plain simple?

If i wanted to plug the output of an audio source into several different amplifiers and recording devices similtaneously how could i do it?

I dont want to simply split the signal up using Y-connectors as i lose 3dB with each split right? And also the impedance matching would suffer (?)

Im not 100% clued up on what happens exactly.. but anyway, I realise several parallel opamp buffers would work, but no cost/power effective or very elegant..

if i say have an opamp buffer with several (line impeadence) resistors in series with each output would that do it?

Bill Fitzpatrick · 2nd May 2005, 04:47 AM

There is no 3db loss with a Y splitter. Assuming a low output impedance, you could drive a half dozen amps with splitters.

Optical · 2nd May 2005, 06:08 AM

really?
hmm, ok.. i do notice a loss in level and sound quality when i use one though?

reguardless, i still am looking to power abotu 10 different devices (home recording stdio..)

Bill Fitzpatrick · 2nd May 2005, 07:11 AM

Then either the output impedance of the source isn't very low or the input impedances of the loads aren't very high - or both. Maybe you do need a hefty buffer. You didn't specify the source or much else in the way of details.

Optical · 2nd May 2005, 09:00 AM

ok, just looked up the output impedence and its 47k
input impedences range from 47k to 10k on various amplifiers, soundcards and fx units..

so, if i were to build a buffer with something like a.. er.. cant remember the name of it.. ah buf634!? then that should be sufficient to power several loads without any detrimental effects?

thanks for yuor input btw

paulb · 2nd May 2005, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Optical
ok, just looked up the output impedence and its 47k
input impedences range from 47k to 10k on various amplifiers, soundcards and fx units..

so, if i were to build a buffer with something like a.. er.. cant remember the name of it.. ah buf634!? then that should be sufficient to power several loads without any detrimental effects?

thanks for yuor input btw

47K output impedance is unusually high. What is it? If it is an opamp it's more likely in the range of 100 ohms.
Yes, the BUF634 would be a fine choice for a buffer.
You may want to read this:
http://headwize.com/projects/showfil...=opamp_prj.htm

Optical · 2nd May 2005, 09:38 PM

its the output impedence of a mixer..

thanks for the link

paulb · 3rd May 2005, 12:29 AM

It's probably an op-amp and should be able to drive several amplifiers. One thing to be wary of, however, is how long is the total cable that the op-amp is driving; they don't handle long cables very well without some damping. There should be several app notes out there you can google for information on how to do this.

p.s. Hi Bill

2nd May 2005, 04:34 AM	#1
Optical diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand	line level splitter/distributor? Im sure this must have been covered before, but i have searched and not found anything.. Or perhaps its plain simple? If i wanted to plug the output of an audio source into several different amplifiers and recording devices similtaneously how could i do it? I dont want to simply split the signal up using Y-connectors as i lose 3dB with each split right? And also the impedance matching would suffer (?) Im not 100% clued up on what happens exactly.. but anyway, I realise several parallel opamp buffers would work, but no cost/power effective or very elegant.. if i say have an opamp buffer with several (line impeadence) resistors in series with each output would that do it?

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2nd May 2005, 04:47 AM	#2
Bill Fitzpatrick diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Eugene, OR	There is no 3db loss with a Y splitter. Assuming a low output impedance, you could drive a half dozen amps with splitters.

2nd May 2005, 06:08 AM	#3
Optical diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand	really? hmm, ok.. i do notice a loss in level and sound quality when i use one though? reguardless, i still am looking to power abotu 10 different devices (home recording stdio..)

2nd May 2005, 07:11 AM	#4
Bill Fitzpatrick diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Eugene, OR	Then either the output impedance of the source isn't very low or the input impedances of the loads aren't very high - or both. Maybe you do need a hefty buffer. You didn't specify the source or much else in the way of details.

2nd May 2005, 09:00 AM	#5
Optical diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand	ok, just looked up the output impedence and its 47k input impedences range from 47k to 10k on various amplifiers, soundcards and fx units.. so, if i were to build a buffer with something like a.. er.. cant remember the name of it.. ah buf634!? then that should be sufficient to power several loads without any detrimental effects? thanks for yuor input btw

2nd May 2005, 09:38 PM	#7
Optical diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand	its the output impedence of a mixer.. thanks for the link

3rd May 2005, 12:29 AM	#8
paulb diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Calgary	It's probably an op-amp and should be able to drive several amplifiers. One thing to be wary of, however, is how long is the total cable that the op-amp is driving; they don't handle long cables very well without some damping. There should be several app notes out there you can google for information on how to do this. p.s. Hi Bill