0

We just got an Airport Express to use AirPlay on our stereos. Now our most 'advanced' stereo system we want to connect has a single analog RCA input for audio. This is of course bullshit.

The stereo is also connected to the television through analog RCA connectors, so it's already 'filled up'.

I know of the existence of aux-splitters, so are there also Analog RCA-splitters of some sort, preferrably without the loss of quality? Since it's for input to the stereo and not output, I'm hoping the quality remains.

I've searched around, but haven't found anything that seems to have the connections I need.

So in short - does something exist to go from 1 Analog RCA to 2 Analog RCA's? So I have one connection (which consists of 2 ports - the right audio & left audio), yet I need to connect 4 cables (2 right & 2 left)

Edit: Just an idea - to avoid having multiple mixers. Let the two audio outputs go to a male auxiliary. Then, use something like this to get it to a single auxiliary, and finally a female-aux to Analog RCA like this and this goes into the input of the stereo.

Would this work, or are these way too many connections? The output from the Airport Express is already AUX, and the one from the television can be auxiliary or Analog RCA depending on whatever delivers better performance.

4
  • What is the question?
    – wallyk
    Aug 5, 2013 at 15:33
  • Thought it was clear, edited the answer to clarify, @wallyk
    – jdepypere
    Aug 5, 2013 at 15:37
  • By "single analog RCA input" do you mean that there is just one port? If so, that probably means it is mono. You'll probably need a converter to go from stereo to mono so you don't lose any portion of the signal and then you'll probably want an RCA switch to interconnect everything (cablewholesale.com/products/audio-video-products/…)
    – MaQleod
    Aug 5, 2013 at 15:39
  • @MaQleod : no two ports! Edited my answer to clarify it a bit. I have 2 ports, yet need to connect 4 cables.
    – jdepypere
    Aug 5, 2013 at 15:42

3 Answers 3

0

Assuming that you're saying there is only one RCA phono stereo input on your system, and you want to be able to connect two different sources (TV and Airport Express)...

You'll need a an audio switching unit such as here. I can't recommend one device from another. There will be some loss of audio quality and depending on your equipment, you may or may not notice this.

If there is a digital input on your stereo system, you might consider using this.

EDIT: After reading conflicting opinions on the option of combining two different sources using x2 RCA Y-splitters (or 3.5mm jack equivalents), I found a lengthy discussion on it here. It does seem that a lot of people do it though Y spitters are typically used for splitting the signal, not combining/merging and it is not safe practice.

EDIT: There's a discussion on using an in-line resistor to negate the potential risk of overloading the outputs here and here if you fancied a DIY project.

7
  • I'm guessing this requires manual selection of the input, hence the knob? I'd prefer it to be automatic, otherwise it'd be easier to just plug in the other cables when wanting to change channel.
    – jdepypere
    Aug 5, 2013 at 15:48
  • Search for 'phono switching remote' or something similar, but it won't be cheap. Digital input? Aug 5, 2013 at 15:51
  • Mmm a remote for someting this simple seems so overkill... There seems to be no input other than analog RCA :/
    – jdepypere
    Aug 5, 2013 at 15:53
  • 1
    Like this. The cost is going to be prohibitive and possibly in excess of the stereo. Please mark this as answered if you have no more questions. Aug 5, 2013 at 16:04
  • 1
    See here Aug 5, 2013 at 16:49
2

Just buy (2) "2F to 1M RCA splitter" (google it). You don't NEED a switch. A switch is nice if you want to be able to not have to turn the sound down on the TV when you want to listen to the Air Play.

As to sound quality, unless your have system that you have cost you 2K$ or more and you have a listening environment to support it, you probably cannot tell the difference from 4$ connectors and 40$ connectors. Possibly on really bad ones you could tell, but unlikely you would get connectors that bad. Connectors that bad aren't cheap, there defective.

The mixers allow you to adjust the volume of each input relative to each other while they are being played at the same time. You don't NEED that either unless you want it.

21
  • 1
    @arbitter - Damon's scheme will work. You do have to turn the volume down on (or turn off) the unused source, and there will be some loss of volume and possibly quality because part of the signal will be sucked off by the other device. But the only other option is a switch. Aug 7, 2013 at 0:49
  • 1
    @DanielRHicks Did you read my edit and the link about issues with combining two sources? I'm not sure ensuring the other output is powered off is a risk worth taking for the sake of the purchase of a switching unit. Aug 7, 2013 at 0:58
  • 1
    @archery1234 Admittedly, the more money you spend, the more issues you avert. Simply combining the signals is not inherently going to cause damage. Even your link shows that. Turning both input sources at the same time to max volume might. Buying a manual switch is more expensive and offers the isolation between inputs. Buying an auto switch cost even more and makes it easier and offers isolation. Putting a resistor inline allows a y-splitter with a level of isolation without a switch. Point is, there is more than 1 way to skin a cat, each with trade-offs.
    – Damon
    Aug 7, 2013 at 1:20
  • 1
    @Damon, The point for the OP is that it might, there are occasions when it has (and more when it hasn't no doubt). It's not a risk I'd be willing to take for the sake of few £/$s. The link for a manual switch was the first I came across, there are cheaper options. Aug 7, 2013 at 1:41
  • 1
    @Damon Is this or this any help? Aug 7, 2013 at 19:08
1

I think the name of the thing you are looking for is "distribution amp"

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005N0CRT4 is an example but it does video as well as audio.

EDIT: Noticed you want to "combine" two inputs (not outputs) into one. You need a mixer. Something like this: http://www.fullcompass.com/product/297476.html?utm_source=googleps&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=googleps&gclid=CPy1-cnS5rgCFevm7AodOHYANA

If you know someone who plays music in live settings they could probably be a good source of information.

2
  • Yeah I want to combine two inputs so that we don't need to always plug in another cable depending on the source we want to hear. The mixer you linked does seem a bit weird though... It has 4 in and only one out? And does it require you to change the buttons if you wnt to switch chanel?
    – jdepypere
    Aug 5, 2013 at 15:46
  • That was just a quick example. And you may need to get adapters to covert from RCA to 1/4" audio sockets. A mixer will do what the name implies - it will "mix" all the inputs into one output (some mixers you can enable/disable channels, and on all of them you can adjust the volume of the channel). If you know someone who does live musical performances they could be a great source of information.
    – LawrenceC
    Aug 5, 2013 at 16:02

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .