1 Headphone DAC/Amp with 2 Computers - How to Achieve?

CrispyChrispy on 18/07/2024 - 14:59
Last edited 18/07/2024 - 15:28

Hey all,

I'm a total noob when it comes to the audio hobby so I apologise if none of this makes any sense 😅 but I'm wanting to get a DAC/amp unit (under $100, only dipping my toes into the hobby here) for my setup, which includes 1 laptop plugged into a docking station and 1 PC. I want to share my headphone and DAC/amp setup between my 2 devices without having to unplug and reconnect anything.

The problem is 99% of DAC/amp units will have 1 USB, 1 coaxial, 1 RCA inputs etc. Neither my docking station nor my PC have appropriate outputs other than USB; meaning, I'd either require;

  • A converter such as this USB A to optical so then I can utilise two of the DAC/amp inputs (ie. laptop dock plugged into DAC/amp's USB, PC plugged into DAC/amp's optical using this converter)

or

  • Get one of these USB sharing switches which will result in me only using the USB input on the DAC/amp. This seems somewhat inefficient especially compared to the first method (any may generate interference) but this is what most have done online to accomplish what I want.

The DAC/amp I'm eyeing currently is the Fosi Audio K5 Pro. It of course has an input mode switch that I'd use to switch between my laptop and PC. To my understanding, I'd plug the USB C/power input into device 1, and then I'd use this USB A to optical converter for device 2. Would this work fine?

Many thanks in advance!

Electrical & Electronics DAC Headphone Amplifier

Comments

  • ONEMariachi on 18/07/2024 - 15:29

    What current equipment do you have. As in what exact speakers and headphones and amps etc currently exist in your setup as it is.

    • CrispyChrispy on 18/07/2024 - 17:04

      Nothing as of yet, but looking at the Senn 6XXs which are currently on sale for $280.

      Only amps are my existing laptop dock and PC mobo ones (so no dedicated amps), the former which has quite a lot of fuzz and noise.

  • seanfoite on 18/07/2024 - 15:31
    +2

    Does your desktop have an optical out? If so, just use that and then the USB to the laptop. SPDIF (ie optical) should be pretty common on Desktops.

    • trulymadly on 18/07/2024 - 15:59

      Agree with this, otherwise if it didn't I'd personally go for the USB switch since it'd probably be useful to be able to do the same thing with other devices (e.g. keyboard, mouse, webcam etc). Not particularly sure what interference/inefficiency there would be in using that solution..

    • CrispyChrispy on 18/07/2024 - 16:56

      Yeah nah unfortunately not, ITX mobo IO isn't the most expansive as you can probably imagine 😅

      Otherwise yeah I'd have definitely gone that route. Thanks anyway for the suggestion

  • ihfree on 18/07/2024 - 16:51
    +2

    I'd probably do the USB switch. I use a ugreen one between my laptop and PC.

    My DAC is connected directly to my TB dock and to my PC's optical port. This is primarily because I still use a wireless gaming headset, though, have eventual plans to change.

  • Mumbles on 18/07/2024 - 17:20
    +2

    This is waaay out of budget but I've been using my 10 year old 5.1 AV receiver as my headphone amplifier. They are purpose built for multiple audio/HDMI inputs. Have endless power amplification for the hardest to drive headphones.

    Is worth considering if you are going into stereo speakers and later home theatre surround sound.

    • ihfree on 18/07/2024 - 17:58
      +1

      IIRC, the signal from the headphone jack on these units isn't the best. Worth having a further read if you consider this approach

  • rumblytangara on 19/07/2024 - 00:23
    +2

    USB switch. Mainly for the convenience.

    With the slight risk of the PC/laptop having to re-recognise the audio device every time you hit the switch. So test manually plugging the DAC quickly first.

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