Help with Audio Setup?

[ProLeopard]

Hello Everyone,

I have just encountered a problem as I bought my new headphones.
I was wondering what to do as I only have line out port for my headphones and speakers.
I do have an audio port at the front of my PC, (Case is a CM Storm Stryker), which doesn't seem to be as good quality as my onboard audio from Asus.
I have heard that a Y-Splitter will not reproduce the audio correctly, or the onboard audio will not have enough power.
I have thought of a Sound Card, but I have two large 980s in SLI and there is another PCI slot for graphics cards that I believe a sound card would fit in. It would be a tight fit and provide less room for my graphics cards. However, the Creative Sound Blaster Z does have a dedicated headphone and speaker port so it would be really helpful.
Other options are an external DAC+AMP, but I do not think have enough money to spend on a good combo (my budget is around $100).
If there is an easier way to plug in both my devices without a Y-Splitter, it would be ideal as my onboard audio seems to be quite good sounding.
My motherboard is an Asus Z97 Pro Wi-Fi AC.
Speakers are Creative T40s and headphones are Sennheiser HD 598s.

Thank You

 

[SkyHighGam3r]

Honestly, I would give the Y-Splitter a shot. It might degrade the signal, but then again it might not.

Either way they run about 3-4 $ at a radioshack, and they have about a billion and a half other uses if it doesn't work out.

 

[ProLeopard]

Honestly, I would give the Y-Splitter a shot. It might degrade the signal, but then again it might not.

Either way they run about 3-4 $ at a radioshack, and they have about a billion and a half other uses if it doesn't work out.

Alright, I'll check it out. Any other ideas just in case it doesn't work? I might want a soundcard or AMP/DAC eventually so what's the best plan for that?

Thanks

 

[giantbucket]

http/www.behringer.com/EN/Products/HA400.aspx

mobo audio out to HA400's intput
HA400's output 1 to headphones, output 2 to speakers, output 3 to ____

 

[ProLeopard]

http/www.behringer.com/EN/Products/HA400.aspx

mobo audio out to HA400's intput
HA400's output 1 to headphones, output 2 to speakers, output 3 to ____

Wow this seems like a really good solution...
Do you own one of these and if you do can you advise me on them?
Is it worth spending more money for something better?
As I said, I am willing to spend up to $100 for a good audio solution.

Thank you for the reply, I will research this some more.

 

[giantbucket]

i don't use or own that one, but i have used a handful of Behringer products in the past and they work great for home use. your needs call for a simple circuit, so there's really no need to pay $100 to do that job. but if you want to spend more, that at least gives you a starting point for the type of device to look at. see if the stuff that's sold at Sweetwater has other brands with other features you might place a high value on.

 

[ProLeopard]

i don't use or own that one, but i have used a handful of Behringer products in the past and they work great for home use. your needs call for a simple circuit, so there's really no need to pay $100 to do that job. but if you want to spend more, that at least gives you a starting point for the type of device to look at. see if the stuff that's sold at Sweetwater has other brands with other features you might place a high value on.

Alright, the HA400 seems to be a good buy, thank you for suggesting it.
However, I have one more question. Will I be able to use my Creative speakers with the amp?
I know that my speakers want a 1/8" input and the Behringer has 4 1/4" inputs.
So, will I need an adapter? My Sennheisers have a 1/4" output so it should work.

Thank You

 

[giantbucket]

you can buy the adapters on eBay for cheap. or probably at a local electronics store. they're trivial.

 

[ProLeopard]

you can buy the adapters on eBay for cheap. or probably at a local electronics store. they're trivial.

Alright, seems like a good deal.
Just to make sure, I read that the HA400 has a low impedance, but I'm not sure what it is exactly.
I do plan to upgrade soon, and I want to buy something that has enough power to amplify one device with 300 ohm resistance and another device with low resistance, maybe around 30 ohms.

Thank You

 

[giantbucket]

the spec sheet says it'll put out 40mW into a 100ohm impedance, which is probably more than enough for headphones.

i just poked around on the Sweetwater page, and there's other options too.
http/www.sweetwater.com/c413--Headphone_Amps_and_Distribution/low2high

this ART unit looks very cool too, and has both 1/4" and 1/8" inputs & outputs.
http/www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HeadAmp4

 

[ProLeopard]

the spec sheet says it'll put out 40mW into a 100ohm impedance, which is probably more than enough for headphones.

i just poked around on the Sweetwater page, and there's other options too.
http/www.sweetwater.com/c413--Headphone_Amps_and_Distribution/low2high

this ART unit looks very cool too, and has both 1/4" and 1/8" inputs & outputs.
http/www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HeadAmp4

Oh I really do like that HeadAmp... Any idea about its impedence?

Thanks again for all your help

[edit]
I actually found that the HeadAmp gives you about 51 ohms of impedence per channel, which seems fine to me for now.
Seems like a really good option, thank you very much.