Speaker/Headset Switch and volume issues

tonyeezy · October 23, 2016

I'm going to be purchasing either a USB amp/DAC combo or a sound card very soon. My current headphones are the Audio Technica ATH-M50s so I don't plan on buying anything too crazy.

The main reason I plan on purchasing something other than using on board sound is due to my headphones not sounding nearly loud for games and music. When plugging the M50s into my iPhone 7 Plus for example, the volume is clearly much louder (my motherboard uses Realtek ALC 889).

Currently for my setup I also have an audio switch to change between my headphones and speakers which is here: https://www.amazon.com/Speaker-Headset-Switching-Manhattan-172851/dp/B000K8PH8C/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1477188387&sr=8-5&keywords=media+hub

My main question is can this switch degrade the audio or effect the volume at all? Right now when plugging directly into my computer or into this switch I don't seem to notice any differences, but if I do get something that can drive a large enough sound would this impact the audio in any way?

To combat the volume issue up til now I have been plugging my headphones into my Logitech speakers and that has a volume switch on it so I can usually get my headphones loud enough no problem, however when unplugging my headphones no sound will come out the speakers for 5-10 minutes which can be annoying (Logitech Z506).

The USB DAC solutions do seem more expensive although honestly I would prefer that because it would easy to plug the headphones in right there on my desk and I was hoping to find one with a switch built in for headphone and speaker setups but did not really any so I plan on going with a sound card. The one I have picked out is here: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Audigy-Performance-Headphone/dp/B00EO6X4XG/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1477188961&sr=1-3&keywords=sound+card

Again nothing to crazy since I'm only looking for more volume, but if anyone has any amp/DAC or sound card suggestions, please recommend them!

Lastly, it seems quite odd that with so many gamers out there I don't see a ton of audio switches to help go back and forth between speakers and headphones easily. I have broken the front 3.5mm jack on my case due to constantly having to plug in the headphones. If anyone who uses both and has good solutions please recommend them. The switch I have now gets the job done but is quite ugly and just looks cheap.