SPDIF Hubs...do they exist?

I have multiple units that have the SPDIF outputs but my Delta 1010 only has one SPDIF input. Is there a unit that I could get that would have multiple SPDIF inputs and one or two SPDIF outputs?

Thanks!

A cheap approach is to buy an RCA switcher from Radio shack. I tried that approach, and it did not seem to impact the sound quality.

Cheap = about $20

I've a feeling the M1000 mentioned is the only purely s/pdif mixer there is! Seems odd I know, but as mentioned, you cannot directly mix digital audio. The M1000 works by sample-rate converting each input to one common clock. Some quality loss can be caused by SRC, but if I recall correctly, the SoS review was very positive.

If the purpose is to make switching between sources easy (only one used at a time), then some kind of "patchbay" will do it. The idea of using a "stereo selector box" ought to work.

As for multiple outputs from one, it should not be possible to drive more than one input from a single output, since coax s/pdif is designed to work into a 75ohm impedance. Splitting to two inputs makes the total impedance 37.5ohm. That said, it's quite possible sufficient signal level might still reach the inputs, but it can't be trusted to work reliably.

Some sort of "buffering" circuit is needed to produce true seperate outputs. If one of your external devices has an Optical input, then maybe something like the M-audio Co3 or Behringer SRC2496 should work as they have both RCA, AES/EBU and Optical outputs working off one of the optical, AES/EBU or RCA inputs. It's actually possible to connect AES/EBU to RCA s/pdif with the right cable. You could feed three items with these units.
The above is a bit expensive, but I for one don't know of anything simpler, except using the previously mentioned stereo selector box trick.

I have two Roland M-1000 mixers and for what you have described they work great just do not use it for an audio interface. The drivers SUCK! They have crashed every PC I have tried them on and I have heard they same stories from other M-1000 owners. I'm not sure if Roland is still making them.

What is cool about the M-1000 is that each one of the 4 inputs can sample rate convert to the selected sample rate output.

ORIGINAL: pdarg

A cheap approach is to buy an RCA switcher from Radio shack. I tried that approach, and it did not seem to impact the sound quality.

Cheap = about $20

You would think it would degrade the digital signal?



Is there a difference in an RCA cable and an SPDIF cable?

ORIGINAL: LaptopPop

No, that's the nice thing about digital -- a little bit of signal degradation does not affect the sound in the slightest because the original bits are reconstructed at the receiving end. Any video switch should work just fine.

-lee-

Thanks very much.

ORIGINAL: LaptopPop

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049645&cp=2032057&f=Taxonomy%2FRSK%2F2032057&categoryId=2032057&kwCatId=2032057&kw=rca+switch&parentPage=search

75Ω

very clever... brilliant

best,
mike

An affordable optical patchbay (don't let the Hosa name put you off - it's actually very good quality).

Hosa MFO-363B

The Radio Shack switch works great, too.

I thought SPDIF was 75Ω as well... which is why I thought a video switcher was such a cool lo-budget solution. I could easily be very wrong about the SPDIF termination ratings... I have never worked with SPDIF.

best,
mike

I just want to know how you type "Ω" into a post.

Keep an eye out for a M-Audio Digipatch. I have one and think it's pretty cool. They are discontinued, so it may take a while to find one.

Harmony Central - Digipatch

http://www.markertek.com/Product.asp?baseItem=RU%2DSPX4&cat=INTERFACE&subcat=AUDINT&prodClass=RACKUPS&mfg=&search=0&off=

ORIGINAL: bitflipper

I just want to know how you type "Ω" into a post.

Hold down the ALT key while you type 234 on the numeric keypad.