Multiple inputs and multiple outputs switcher

[ShadoKitteh]

Hi,

 

My situation is as follows (I use 3,5mm jacks for all of them):

• 1x chromecast audio
• 1x TV
• 1x 2.1 Speaker set
• 1x Stereo Headphones

 

The TV is either hooked up to the speakers (during daytime movie watching) or to the headphones (nighttime movie watching).

The chromecast is almost always hooked up to the speakers (if the speakers aren't already hooked up to the TV).

 

It is quite a pain in the behind to keep switching plugs around every time I want to change the setup (watching TV (day/night) or listening to music).

 

So... I want to take the output from the chromecast and/or TV, and switch between using the speakers and headphones.

 

I currently own a Linep A985 audio signal switcher https://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/0.html?orderId=82641766910923&productId=32561386096

Which feeds 1 selectable input to 4 outputs, or 4 inputs to 1 selectable output.

 

However, I have read somewhere that having multiple active input signals (chromecast and TV at the same time) can cause damage to the output device. So I have not yet tried multiple input signals to one output device.

 

So my question is. Is it safe to use that switch? And if not, what recommendations would you guys give to prevent me from blowing up my headphones/speakers?

 

 

Cheers,

ShadoKitteh

[Oshino Shinobu]

Ideally what you want is a receiver. You don't need anything fancy, so a simple 2.1 or 3.1 receiver should do. That way you can switch between inputs and outputs with a remote 

[ShadoKitteh]

54 minutes ago, Oshino Shinobu said:

Ideally what you want is a receiver. You don't need anything fancy, so a simple 2.1 or 3.1 receiver should do. That way you can switch between inputs and outputs with a remote 

Do you have any recommendations as to which receiver would be a good (affordable) option? By the way, the speaker set is just one of those where you have just one 3,5mm jacks. So no separate cables for the speakers/subwoofer.

 

Edit: additional question. What exactly might go wrong if two inputs are active and there is only one output device connected?

[Doramius]

Sounds like what you are looking for is a 2x2 matrix audio switch.  Usually, the smallest I've seen are 4x4 or 2x4 or 4x2, and larger.  They also tend to be Toslink, although I have seen RCA versions.  More commonly are HDMI matrix switches for multiple input/output video and audio.  Again, what you're looking for is a matrix switch, but good luck with finding a 3.5mm version.

[ShadoKitteh]

33 minutes ago, Doramius said:

Sounds like what you are looking for is a 2x2 matrix audio switch.  Usually, the smallest I've seen are 4x4 or 2x4 or 4x2, and larger.  They also tend to be Toslink, although I have seen RCA versions.  More commonly are HDMI matrix switches for multiple input/output video and audio.  Again, what you're looking for is a matrix switch, but good luck with finding a 3.5mm version.

So that would mean it will do something along the line of this 6-Way Stereo Source Selector? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RVOEFK

Or would that still cause the 2 source > 1 output problem? If so why does that product even exist?

[Doramius]

That would be considered a non-adjustable mixer.  They often have issues with intensity of audio, crosstalk or bleeding of audio, fading or oscillating volume, and ground loop noise issues.  You could probably get it to work, but any sources you are not using would be recommended to have turned off.  

[Steinway]

That source selector you linked will probably do the job just fine.

For what you want, the all passive design is a good way to and RCA to 3.5mm adaptors are quite affordable.