Can you feed tow different audio source INTO a DAC?

[Nexblitzer]

So my question is can I have two separate source input into a DAC, then have both be processed out through separate amps? So lets say I wanted to use a1 DAC with two separate PC's and external AMP's, Is that possible? Or will it overload the DAC or not work? 

 

[Applefreak]

3 minutes ago, Nexblitzer said:

So my question is can I have two separate source input into a DAC, then have both be processed out through separate amps? So lets say I wanted to use a1 DAC with two separate PC's and external AMP's, Is that possible? Or will it overload the DAC or not work? 

 

Why the DAC in the first place? You already have audio output on your pc. There are DACs that accept different USB signals for different outputs but unless space is an issue, getting 2 is a lot cheaper and less of a hassle setting up.

[Nexblitzer]

Thankyou, for... not answering my question. Next

[Pixel5]

that depends entirely on the DAC, sure there will be some with dual inputs and outputs but its certainly not the norm.

Also this doesnt make much sense, you got two sources and you want the analog signal to go to two different AMP´s, why not use two DAC´s as well?

 

and beside this if you go through an AMP anyways you dont need any external DAC at all.

[Nexblitzer]

Just now, Pixel5 said:

that depends entirely on the DAC, sure there will be some with dual inputs and outputs but its certainly not the norm.

Also this doesnt make much sense, you got two sources and you want the analog signal to go to two different AMP´s, why not use two DAC´s as well?

 

and beside this if you go through an AMP anyways you dont need any external DAC at all.

Money saving my friend, Because I live in Australia everything is either out of stock, or twice the price. SO, If I but  a single good DAC that's as you state, thats can run per say two cheap BUT high quality amps. Bingo. OHHH and the reason why I would have two amps is because one amp is a regular amp for headphones while the other is a speaker amp for speakers, and I would then control that with a AMP selector. In tend to use this setup primarily for a 2 pc streaming setup, with space in mind.

[Pixel5]

if money is the main factor just dont get any DAC at all, you already have a DAC on every motherboard and since you have AMP´s anyways its redundant to put a DAC in between

[Nexblitzer]

16 minutes ago, Pixel5 said:

if money is the main factor just dont get any DAC at all, you already have a DAC on every motherboard and since you have AMP´s anyways its redundant to put a DAC in between

Yeah But I DONT want to use internla motherboard DAC/AMP's. I like external units, much better sound quality, thats the point!

[Pixel5]

1 hour ago, Nexblitzer said:

, much better sound quality

thats a false thing people like believe as it seems.

the single reason why people hear a difference with a DAC is that this DAC usually is also an AMP and drives their speakers/headphones with more power.

You are using AMP´s anyways so that wont make any difference for you, even the cheapest on board DAC´s sample at 44.1khz or 48khz going any higher means you cant hear the difference anyways.

And all of this is assuming you even got media that is sampled higher else its even more pointless.

[The Flying Sloth]

1, The answer to your most basic question is no, a single DAC will not take two input signals and turn them into two distinct output signals, that would require four channel processing and thus in almost all cases would require two DACs.

 

2, I don't understand why you're in this situation, dual PC streaming hasn't been an efficient way to stream in years and unless you're streaming at a very high level the configurability benefits are useless.

 

3, Given that dual PC streaming isn't a great idea something like a UMC202HD (though there are many other options) has dedicated volume controls for both the headphone and speaker outs. 

 

4, If you're absolutely set on doing dual-PC streaming there's no real reason you'd need a DAC for the streaming PC as all you'll hear from it are notifications. Refer to the above replies and pinned thread regarding DACs improving sound quality.

 

5, If you absolutely must stream on two PCs just take an output from the streaming PC and shove it into an input from the gaming PC and select 'listen to this device'. It will save you a text me of time and money.

 

6, If you have future issues like this you might find that you get more/better responses by not being so rude to those trying to help.