Does anyone have any experience with RCA splitters on inputs and their impact on fidelity? Any recommendations?
I have an amplifier that was part of a set of audio equipment. I'm not sure if channel is the right word but it has designated inputs for Radio, Tape, Turntable, CD Player, and "Video" (which wasn't included in the set and is now connected to my audio interface.)
The trouble is, I want to keep everything in the set but I do want to have room for one more input for an iPod.
At this point I'm thinking I'll add Y-splitters on the Tape channel for the iPod. I'm looking at this one.
Amazon.com: AudioQuest adapter - RCA male to two RCA female - hard assembly: Electronics
I have an amplifier that was part of a set of audio equipment. I'm not sure if channel is the right word but it has designated inputs for Radio, Tape, Turntable, CD Player, and "Video" (which wasn't included in the set and is now connected to my audio interface.)
The trouble is, I want to keep everything in the set but I do want to have room for one more input for an iPod.
At this point I'm thinking I'll add Y-splitters on the Tape channel for the iPod. I'm looking at this one.
Amazon.com: AudioQuest adapter - RCA male to two RCA female - hard assembly: Electronics
It is not a good idea to have two sources connected in parallel, as each output will have to try to drive the other - you will get distortion. Instead, make or buy a switch box ('audio input expander') so that one existing input can be switched between, say, four sources. It is essentially a set of sockets and a selector switch in a box.
Sorry, I should have been clearer, I have no intention of ever running both inputs at the same time into the same channel. They'd be plugged in at the same time but either the iPod would be sending a signal or the Tape Player and when not in use one or the other would be off.
Would there still be distortion?
Would there still be distortion?
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Yes, probably. Switching off does not isolate the circuit from the outputs so looking back in it will look like some non-linear frequency dependent impedance. You may get less distortion, but smaller signals, by leaving both paralleled items switched on!
You need a switch.
You need a switch.
Alright, so I went ahead and risked <20 dollars on the RCA splitters and then A/B tested them.
I ran the same computer device once through the RCA splitter (while it was connected to the tape player) and once just straight to the amp.
I tested 'A Warm Place' by Nine Inch Nails through headphones connected directly to the amp. (On headphones you can hear a lot of very subtle things in this song such as quiet talking at the beginning of it.)
I have to say, after comparing it with and without the splitter, I mean, maybe an oscilloscope would see the difference, but for my purposes, especially since an iPod isn't ultra hi-fidelity anyway, I don't think there's a difference worthy of mandating the inconvenience of a switch.
I'd recommend going the RCA splitter with a hard construction like what I used.
I ran the same computer device once through the RCA splitter (while it was connected to the tape player) and once just straight to the amp.
I tested 'A Warm Place' by Nine Inch Nails through headphones connected directly to the amp. (On headphones you can hear a lot of very subtle things in this song such as quiet talking at the beginning of it.)
I have to say, after comparing it with and without the splitter, I mean, maybe an oscilloscope would see the difference, but for my purposes, especially since an iPod isn't ultra hi-fidelity anyway, I don't think there's a difference worthy of mandating the inconvenience of a switch.
I'd recommend going the RCA splitter with a hard construction like what I used.
With/without splitter is not the issue. The splitter itself will do no harm. It is with/without the extra source in parallel. Did you check this?
Perhaps your other device presents a linear high impedance when not in use. Or perhaps your iPod has a very low output impedance.
FWIW.... I have what some might call a "multimedia system" with my main speakers on either side of my TV as that is the only position that is practical in my particular environment . I also have a sub near the TV
I have my CD deck , Radio tuner, TV sound , Computer sound, MP3 player, all fed through a 4 channel source box.
Since I have 5 sources with a 4 channel switch, I use a "Y' splitter on the MP3 player and computer sound.... both less than high quality sources.
BTW, I have a computer set up in the TV room and its display can also be fed through my TV via HDMI .
I do have small USB computer speakers for "everyday" computer use that are automatically disabled when the HDMI output is selected.
Anyway, it all works fine for me and I do not notice any quality loss or interference between the sources. I never use my computer sound (through my main speakers ) and MP3 player at the same time . 🙂
I have my CD deck , Radio tuner, TV sound , Computer sound, MP3 player, all fed through a 4 channel source box.
Since I have 5 sources with a 4 channel switch, I use a "Y' splitter on the MP3 player and computer sound.... both less than high quality sources.
BTW, I have a computer set up in the TV room and its display can also be fed through my TV via HDMI .
I do have small USB computer speakers for "everyday" computer use that are automatically disabled when the HDMI output is selected.
Anyway, it all works fine for me and I do not notice any quality loss or interference between the sources. I never use my computer sound (through my main speakers ) and MP3 player at the same time . 🙂
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