sound card with dual 2 channel stereo outputs

[kornphlake]

I'm working on setting up a 2 channel stereo system for music. My intent is to use my computer as a source running the analog line out to a receiver. I don't really want to use the stereo speakers all the time though, I'd like to keep using the desktop speakers for windows sounds when I'm not listening to music so that the receiver doesn't have to be powered up all the time.

Is there a sound card with more than one 2 channel stereo output? I see plenty of 5.1 sound cards, is there a specific card, or perhaps a specific driver, that will allow stereo sound to come from more than one of the outputs rather than surround?

 

[sdifox]

why not just digital out to your receiver?

 

[kornphlake]

Receiver is a 2 channel stereo receiver without digital input, I'd rather not have to use an external DAC.

 

[sdifox]

so how about a minijack splitter?

 

[Modelworks]

Install a y splitter. You can get them at radio shack or online.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...d=10218&cs_id=1021802&p_id=669&seq=1&format=2

 

[kornphlake]

I'm probably making this too difficult, but wouldn't a splitter increase the output impedance having two loads instead of one? That means I'll have to work the amplifier harder to get the same sound level, which means more heat and more distortion right? Then again internet radio and compressed audio aren't exactly clean sources to begin with, maybe it's a non-issue.

 

[balloonshark]

In control panel I have a realtek HD sound manager that let's me configure the audio I/O's. Perhaps you have something similiar with your audio card/chip.

In my case I set 2 of them set to Line Out. One goes to my cheap 2.1 computer speakers and the other to my receiver. I could have used the output on the front of my case but I wanted to hide the cable a bit more plus I occasionally use headphones that I plug into the front jack.

Edit: My onboard audio has headphone type jacks. I used a male headphone to rca stereo to my receiver.

 

[sdifox]

I'm probably making this too difficult, but wouldn't a splitter increase the output impedance having two loads instead of one? That means I'll have to work the amplifier harder to get the same sound level, which means more heat and more distortion right? Then again internet radio and compressed audio aren't exactly clean sources to begin with, maybe it's a non-issue.

You are over-thinking. You can also do what ballonshark is suggesting.

 

[mmntech]

Theoretically, if you set your sound card to quadraphonic (4.0 sound) it should work. Usually 5.1 cards can be set to stereo expand where it will output sound at the same level across the front and surround speakers.

 

[Modelworks]

I'm probably making this too difficult, but wouldn't a splitter increase the output impedance having two loads instead of one?

Do the speakers on the pc have a power source ? I know some oem systems used to come with amplifiers on the motherboard and the speakers had no amplifier, but it has been awhile since I saw one like that. If they have their own power source then they are amplified internally and impedance doesn't matter.

When you connect something like a receiver to a headphone jack it usually does it like capacitor --> 10K resistor--->Opamp---> power amplifier.

You can split that signal about 5 times before you run into problems because the load on it is so low .