Sound output switcher

Benny144

Benny144

Benny144

Associate
Joined
2 Feb 2016
Posts
321
Location
East Midlands
Hello all,

I'm lookign for some some of piece of hardware that i can plug into my PC (probably external) that lets me switch sound output between my headphones, monitor speakers and plug in speakers.
Is there some sort of DAC which will do this?

Thanks
Ben
 
Better off buying a separate cheap mini power amp like a topping or smsl that cun run speakers and a seprate dac/headphone amp for active speakers/headphones
 
Last edited:
C64 said:
Better off buying a separate cheap mini power amp like a topping or smsl that cun run speakers and a seprate dac/headphone amp for active speakers/headphones
Click to expand...

Then how do you swap between them? Just turn volume up and down?
 
Marine-RX179 said:
The Creative X7 should be able to do that...can't really think of any other that can.
Click to expand...
I'll look into that, thanks

Edit to add: just seen the price! It's a bit more than I'd plan to spend just to have some sort of switcher, I know it does more but it's a bit too pricey for what I'd use it for.
 
So what are you trying to switch?

Headphones, fair enough, your monitors will be active but what are your "plug in speakers"? All speakers have to be plugged in, so they could be anything.
 
rids57 said:
So what are you trying to switch?

Headphones, fair enough, your monitors will be active but what are your "plug in speakers"? All speakers have to be plugged in, so they could be anything.
Click to expand...
If I am not mistaken, "plug-in speaker" refers to those install into the wall/ceiling type flat speakers, so they would be passive and need amp to drive.

...unless that's not what OP meant.
 
I'm thinking he is referring to the speakers built into his monitor, rather than what we normally refer to as 'monitor speakers'.

Knowing what are commonly referred to as 'monitor speakers' are, and referring to other speakers as 'plug in speakers', doesn't really fit. If you know what monitor speakers are, then surely you'd also know enough than to just refer to other speakers, as 'plug in speakers'. No disrespect to the OP when I say that, and of course, I could be wrong about what he actually meant.

Anyway: I'm thinking he wants to switch between speakers built into his monitor, plug in speakers (powered/active) and headphones.

Switching between powered/active speakers and headphones won't be a problem, but if he is talking about switching between the speakers in his monitor as well; that's going be rather more complicated I feel.
 
Well if it's headphones / speakers built into monitor / active speakers then the only way of switching them is in the Windows Playback Devices panel as it involves different sources, assuming the audio to the monitor speakers is being fed digitally.
 
Marsman said:
Anyway: I'm thinking he wants to switch between speakers built into his monitor, plug in speakers (powered/active) and headphones.
Click to expand...

THIS

Sorry I didn't know the correct terms. If its easier to just swap between plug in speakers and headphones and forget the monitor that's fine.
 
I thought he meant monitors as in bookshelf monitors such as mordaunt short
I am confused why people think the creative x7 is the only thing that can do it ? any amp with analogue in optical in etc can do it
 
Last edited:
hyperseven said:
Soundswitch app? I use it to switch between USB headset, xonar and HDMI output.
Click to expand...

That's about the only thing I can think of, a software switch. I can't imagine there being any kind of hardware switch if there is more than one source with one of them being HDMI.
 
C64 said:
I am confused why people think the creative x7 is the only thing that can do it ? any amp with analogue in optical in etc can do it
Click to expand...

I guess Marine might have thought he meant something which could switch between powered/active speakers, passive speakers and headphones.

Any full size amp has such connections, but when it comes to small DAC/amps, I don't think there are many options that have both internal amp for passive speakers and RCA output to which powered speakers can be connected, while also having a headphone output.
 
but that would take audio away from them rather than switch it to them, so all audio would be coming through the "plug in" speakers.

Not sure why the OP needs to use the monitor's speakers if he has active speakers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom