Audio Equipment: PC to AV Receiver and Headphones

incipient on 22/02/2024 - 14:42
Last edited 22/02/2024 - 15:18 by 1 other user

Currently I have my computer connected to a very old, cheap DAC/amp that then is connected to both my AV receiver (over optical) and my headphones over 3.5mm. I find splitting the audio to both headphones and receiver incredibly convenient.

I'm looking to replace the DAC/amp but for the life of me can't find anything that advertises this dual pass through - many hours spent searching!

I also realise that optical may not do proper 5.1 audio (despite the fact it seems to work?)

Would really appreciate any thoughts on either tweaks to the setup, or of a new DAC/amp that will do the same function.

Cheers,
Inci

• 

  Mechz on 22/02/2024 - 15:45

  Why not just go PC to receiver via HDMI then plug your headphones into that?

  Seems like the DAC is redundant.

  • 

    spackbace on 22/02/2024 - 15:48

    I would imagine you'd only get sound through one or the other then, either headphones or speakers. For some reason OP wants sound out of both

    • 

      Mechz on 22/02/2024 - 16:28

      Then just get a headphone amp and plug it into the line level output on the receiver.

  • 

    incipient on 22/02/2024 - 18:07

    The main issue is I don't often have the reciver on, which is why having the dac output to both is good, and having the separate dac/amp gives me another volume control that allows me to have headphones and speakers at different levels.

    However @Mechz idea of an amp on the line out may work if my receiver can do simultaneous output too.

• 

  brendanm on 22/02/2024 - 18:11

  Continue using your current one, as it seems to be working fine, and does exactly what you want?

  • 

    incipient on 22/02/2024 - 18:41

    It's getting a bit dodgy (sometimes fails to power on) so doing some searching for a replacement before it dies entirely.

    • 

      brendanm on 22/02/2024 - 18:43

      Can you buy the exact same one?

• 

  Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 22/02/2024 - 18:13

  Plug your headphones directly into your soundbar or motherboard.

  HDMI to a new/used receiver.

  Simples.

  • 

    incipient on 22/02/2024 - 18:40

    The headphones and receiver/speakers would be on separate hands outputs. That was my original setup, but now that I have them on a single output, I'd never go back.

    • 

      Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 22/02/2024 - 21:47

      Click of the mouse to change. No loss in quality unlike your current setup.

• 

  apple2016 on 23/02/2024 - 10:15

  Depending on your budget, maybe bluesound node?