Optical splitter

[Phil Lawton]

My apologies if the question has been asked before, but is there any significant loss of fidelity if a splitter is used to connect two optical sources (in my case, the TV and CD player) to the same input on the amp?

[Barry]

As far as I can tell such devices do exist, but if used as you intend only one source can be used at a time; which would mean unplugging the source you weren't using. This somewhat defeats your intention: I do not know of splitters where the input can be switched from one input to another.


A typical example of what is available:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/RAWAUX-Splitter-Switcher-Converter-Amplifier-Black/dp/B09MFQJQR2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=53933404235&hvadid=259081276300&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1006621&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=13117687721341782209&hvtargid=kwd-300527920288&hydadcr=5084_1827848&keywords=optical+audio+splitter&qid=1678879329&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

[Phil Lawton]

As far as I can tell such devices do exist, but if used as you intend only one source can be used at a time; which would mean unplugging the source you weren't using. This somewhat defeats your intention: I do not know of splitters where the input can be switched from one input to another.


A typical example of what is available:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/RAWAUX-Splitter-Switcher-Converter-Amplifier-Black/dp/B09MFQJQR2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=53933404235&hvadid=259081276300&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1006621&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=13117687721341782209&hvtargid=kwd-300527920288&hydadcr=5084_1827848&keywords=optical+audio+splitter&qid=1678879329&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

I took the plunge on something very similar earlier today, Barry, also from Amazon. Snagged another couple of optical cables, too. The unit I bought is switchable betwixt one or other of the inputs.

I’ll report my findings here.

[Phil Lawton]

Didn't work.

Ah, well...cost me nothing to try it.

[dave2010]

Didn't work.

Ah, well...cost me nothing to try it.There are some quite chunky mechanical optical switches which do work quite well. I have several, and they have been useful for fairly static applications. I may have bought an optical splitter at some time in the past, but as I can’t remember particularly well, either it/they didn’t work well, or I couldn’t find a good enough use for it/them. I think there are some opto-electronic switches which can do quite complicated things if you really need them, but at a price.

[Bencat]

Another option that you might consider is getting a TOSLINK to SPDIF convertor for one source that connect to another digital in on you amp .

[Pieoftheday]

Recently used a hdmi splitter , kind of worked but it mostly wanted to lock on to one signal, so I suppose it didn't really work:scratch: