[PLUG-TALK] Audio outputs from sound card

[Rigel Hope]

if there are separate line and headphone outputs, use the line output for
connecting to other devices like your switch. that's what it's intended
for. it may technically be amplified, but it's not intended to be used to
drive a passive, high-impedance device like headphones.

if the audio switch takes its own power input, then i would be even more
cautious about using the headphone as the source.

some sound cards had/have just a single headphone/line out jack and would
auto-sense, i guess.

the wikipedia article on <a
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_level">line
level</a> should help if you need to be confused further

On Thu, Nov 9, 2023 at 6:59 AM Rich Shepard <rshepard at appl-ecosys.com>
wrote:

> I have three audio output devices (speakers, Panasonic headphone, and
> Yamaha
> headset). On-line meetings seem to prefer the Yamaha rather than the
> Panasonic. Recording likes the Panasonic. Streaming from the Web goes to
> the
> speakers.
>
> I have a 1 in/3 out audio switch with each device as selectable output.
> I've
> read some about the difference between a sound card's line out and
> headphone
> jacks (the former providing amplification). Can I plug the switch into the
> sound card's headphone jack since the speakers (and the switch have a
> volume
> control? This would allow me to select the audio output device from the
> switch.
>
> FWIW, I also have a 2 in/1 out switch for the microphones (Marantz and
> Yamaha.)
>
> TIA,
>
> Rich
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