Two computers into 1 DAC/AMP?

[monikko]

I recently got some new headphones to upgrade from my M-100s from V-Moda and got some that needed an amp.

 

So I got the headphones, got the amp, all is great in the world.

 

For reasons I won't explain here, but don't mind answering, although you might not like that weird reasoning and logic that lead me to this setup......

I have two computers, that I use at the same time, and would like the audio from BOTH to be used for my headphones.

 

I got simple Y spliters.....so male 3.5mm split to male RCA Left and Right.....then tried to merge both of those on the two computers into one, so left and left into one, right and right into the other....but when used with the amp, one computer sounds fine, and the other is a LOT quieter. So one is unbothered by any other presence, but one is bothered  by something else in it's presence.....and I need to use both

 

So I thought that, to keep it mostly simple, I would need an amp, or maybe at this point since there isn't much of a budget, a DAC as well. I just can't seem to find online things that really want to support two inputs, but, however, do support multiple WAYS to input things, and those ways can be used at the same time.....which I would gather can do what I'm looking for, but it seems like a "bad" solution. I assume the different modes of connecting, are for different types of audio hardware, and therefore having both computers, that one would be getting the "less ideal" way of being input.

 

I would really not like to use a mixer, as I want my desk setup as clean as possible, and I'm not doing anything music related currently. The other issue is, if I get a mixer, I may as well plan for a whole little audio setup, with keyboard and speakers, and then that just starts getting......big. I just want to replace this amp I have, with an amp, or dac+amp, that can "properly" support these two computer inputs.

 

Thank you so much!

[Kilrah]

That's a really a mixer you're after...

But that mixer can be done in software, see Voicemeeter Banana. You can install it on both PCs, have one send its audio to the other through the network which mixes both and outputs to your device.

 

Or you plug one computer's line out to other's line in, and that can do a mix too...

[monikko]

1 minute ago, Kilrah said:

Or you plug one computer's line out to the line in of the other, and that can do a mix too...

I'm sort of sad I didn't think of this......I really like that idea! Would you recommend Voicemeeter Banana as well for going this route?

[Kilrah]

Yes VM has been working flawlessly for me, the 2nd PC is on another desk on the other side of the room so it's much more convenient than to run a loooong audio cable. You really want to be on a wired network though.

[monikko]

Just now, Kilrah said:

Yes VM has been working flawlessly for me, the 2nd PC is on another desk on the other side of the room so it's much more convenient than to run a loooong audio cable. You kinda do need to be on a wired network though.

I was planning on doing the actual cable, but the virtual mixing seems really nice.....I do have a fully wired network thankfully, so that helps a lot. Only thing on wifi is the bedroom since I can't cleanly run a cable in this apartment

[Psittac]

I watched 10 minutes of a video on voicemeeter banana, can you send those virtual cables over the network?

[Kilrah]

You use the VBAN section to send over the network. Don't need the "virtual cable" driver for most things as its functionality is already part of VM.

[Psittac]

5 hours ago, Kilrah said:

You use the VBAN section to send over the network. Don't need the "virtual cable" driver for most things as its functionality is already part of VM.

awesome thanks, I see this same situation come up from time to time and I'll make sure to use the information you have given

[Ahoy Hoy]

Could just buy a headphone mixers.