I'm trying to run an optical signal from my PC (source) to 2 units: A
Cambridge Audio receiver (for driving my speakers) and an old Sony DAC/
processor (for my Stax headphone rig).

What I've done is taken an optical cable from my PC, put an optical
(1:2) splitter on the end, then run one cable from the splitter to my
Cambridge receiver, the other to my Sony DAC.

The Sony receives the signal perfectly, yet the Cambridge won't lock
to it. I've tried almost every possible combination of cables and
splitters, and experimented with other digital sources but no joy -
it's clearly the Cambridge can't cope with a splitter in the chain.
This is even when I just run one cable out of the splitter. Curiously
though, even with the splitter in, when I run a digital out of my Sony
DAC to the Cambridge, it locks on.

I've no knowledge of how optical signals work but can only conclude
that somehow the splitter halves the strength of the signal ans the
Cambridge isn't sensitive enough to lock onto it. And that when I put
the Sony DAC in the chaain, it must somehow boost it.

To be honest it's a right royal pain. Can anyone explain or speculate
as to why the Cambridge won't work, and offer a possible solution?

In article .com,
wrote:
I'm trying to run an optical signal from my PC (source) to 2 units: A
Cambridge Audio receiver (for driving my speakers) and an old Sony DAC/
processor (for my Stax headphone rig).

What I've done is taken an optical cable from my PC, put an optical
(1:2) splitter on the end, then run one cable from the splitter to my
Cambridge receiver, the other to my Sony DAC.

The Sony receives the signal perfectly, yet the Cambridge won't lock to
it. I've tried almost every possible combination of cables and
splitters, and experimented with other digital sources but no joy - it's
clearly the Cambridge can't cope with a splitter in the chain. This is
even when I just run one cable out of the splitter. Curiously though,
even with the splitter in, when I run a digital out of my Sony DAC to
the Cambridge, it locks on.

I've no knowledge of how optical signals work but can only conclude that
somehow the splitter halves the strength of the signal ans the Cambridge
isn't sensitive enough to lock onto it.

If the spiltter is passive, then the total output power cannot be greater
than the input. Since it probably has some internal losses the output
powers are probably somewhat below half the input power assuming a 50:50
split.

And that when I put the Sony DAC in the chaain, it must somehow boost it.

IIUC correctly you are saying the Sony DAC has an optical output as well as
an input.

It may be this is more powerful than your PC's optical output.

To be honest it's a right royal pain. Can anyone explain or speculate as
to why the Cambridge won't work, and offer a possible solution?

Find a splitter that is active. i.e. requires a PSU but gives higher output
powers? Alternatively, use a switch if you don't need both destinations
driven at the same time.

It may be worth trying a different passive splitter as the one you have may
be particularly lossy. But this may not help.

Slainte,

Jim

--
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Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html

Thanks, Jim. If you know of where I can get an active/powered
splitter, please let me know!

Not sure but this may do the trick.
I use this product from M-audio to split a coax or optical signal,
however the output
is coax and optical. If your cambridge has coax then you should be
fine.
It is powered and comes with a power pack to convert to 12v.
I bought it from the U.S. and had it sent to Aus for about $80
Cant remember the shop.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/CO2-main.html

Dezza.

On Jun 4, 9:18 am, dezza wrote:
Not sure but this may do the trick.
I use this product from M-audio to split a coax or optical signal,
however the output
is coax and optical. If your cambridge has coax then you should be
fine.
It is powered and comes with a power pack to convert to 12v.
I bought it from the U.S. and had it sent to Aus for about $80
Cant remember the shop.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/CO2-main.html

Dezza.

Thanks, Dezza. (I did post yesterday in Google Groups but as is often
the case it hasn't shown up.)
I dug out my old powered optical/coax converter from my bits box, put
it onto the grotesquely knotted and complicated wiring loom hanging at
the back of my cupboard and hey presto! Music!
Thanks again.