Connecting headphone amp to soundcard

[shorej]

I want to connect this amplifier 79 to the line out (3.5mm socket obviously) of my soundcard. What kind of cables/adapters do i need?

[itsplayed]

Not all soundcards sport 3.5mm line outs, but in your case go with something like this...
http://www.sfcable.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=251-140
....coupled with a pair of balanced 1/4" cables.

[AndyH]

It is always far far better to use a cable with the correct plugs on either end than to plug an adapter into a soundcard (or into many other bits of electronic gear). The adapter may make the proper connection but it also provides tremendous leverage to destroy the jack-to-soundcard inerface.

In almost all cases lead pins from the jack are simply soldered to the circuit board. There is no other support or reinforcement. Too often it does not take very much effort, a bump, a sideways jerk on the cable, and the jack either comes off the soundcard or starts making an intermittent connection.

[shorej]

Not all soundcards sport 3.5mm line outs, but in your case go with something like this...
http://www.sfcable.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=251-140
....coupled with a pair of balanced 1/4" cables.
Right, not all, but almost all of the very cheap ones do ;)

Now, with approximately the same configuration you suggested, i'm getting the same signal from both left and right.

[itsplayed]

Right, not all, but almost all of the very cheap ones do ;)

Now, with approximately the same configuration you suggested, i'm getting the same signal from both left and right.

If so, your using a mono 'Y' adapter and not a stereo one.

[shorej]

If so, your using a mono 'Y' adapter and not a stereo one.
No, the adapter is a 3.5mm stereo to 2 x 3.5mm stereo adapter. And when i listen in mono i hear almost nothing.

[itsplayed]

You should get a split signal(left and right), not sure why your getting almost nothing. What application are you using to monitor? Have you confirmed your mixer settings?

[shorej]

When i'm listening to stereo audio i'm getting the same signal from left and right of the amp's output and with mono audio i get nothing:confused:

The problem must be in my adapter setup, since plugging headphones directly into the soundcard's line-out is working as it should be.

So, now i'm basically splitting a stereo signal into two stereo signals and then connecting the other to the left input of my amp and the other to the right input.

[itsplayed]

Something is not right, not sure if the problem lies in the cable/adapter or the amp....are you using something like this?.....
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2110512&cp=2032058.2032231.2032280&pg=2&parentPage=family

[itsplayed]

When i'm listening to stereo audio i'm getting the same signal from left and right of the amp's output and with mono audio i get nothing:confused:

The problem must be in my adapter setup, since plugging headphones directly into the soundcard's line-out is working as it should be.

So, now i'm basically splitting a stereo signal into two stereo signals and then connecting the other to the left input of my amp and the other to the right input.

Well there's your problem it should be split into two mono lines, not two stereo ones....look at the link I provided above, It shows you the type of adapter that you need and it's balanced.

[shorej]

Ahh, yes. I was a bit confused, as you first suggested a 3.5mm stereo to 2x6.3mm stereo adapter with a pair of balanced 6.3mm cables. I'm not really sure of the difference between balanced and unbalanced cables.

[AndyH]

For line level signals like this you will get no benefit at all from balanced connections. A standard two wire interconnect, using standard 1/4 or 1/8" (as appropriate, of course) plugs on the ends will work with no problems. I do it all the time.

[itsplayed]

Sorry for the confusion....Unbalanced circuits tend to be less expensive to construct, but they are much more susceptible to induced noise problems than their balanced counterparts. If your going to connect to a balanced device like the one you've got, then balanced cables are the way to go.
More on Balanced vs. Unbalanced here...
http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/audioprinciples/interconnects/Balancedvsunbalanced.php
and here...
http://www.whirlwindusa.com/ftp/tech/tech01.pdf

[shorej]

Also, i thought the amp wants TRS plugs as it says: balanced inputs; sleeve-ground, ring-inverted, tip-non inverted. That Monster® Interlink® Portable 400 MkII does't have TRS plugs.

I don't think i can find this here in Finland, and ordering it from say, Germany, is a bit expensive :( Any other solutions?

[itsplayed]

Yes, the only reason that I can see it calling for TRS connectors is the fact that TRS connectors are balanced, unless there is also a grounding concern here. Finding this type of connection/adapter may be an issue, have you considered investing in another(better) soundcard, such as the E-MU 0404, M-Audio audiophile 192 etc. that sport 1/4" ins/outs.

[shorej]

Yes, the only reason that I can see it calling for TRS connectors is the fact that TRS connectors are balanced, unless there is also a grounding concern here. Finding this type of connection/adapter may be an issue, have you considered investing in another(better) soundcard, such as the E-MU 0404, M-Audio audiophile 192 etc. that sport 1/4" ins/outs.
I've considered, and i'll probably do that sometime in the near future. Would something like this do the trick?
http://www.thomann.de/thoiw3_the_sssnake_sk3156_insertkabel_prodinfo.htm l
With a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter, of course.

[itsplayed]

Yes, that should do it for you!

[shorej]

OK, thanks for your patience. Newbies such as me can be real pain in the ass, can't they :p

Really, you've been most helpful.

[itsplayed]

your welcome and there are no pain in the asses here, that's what this forum is for...good luck with your setup, cheers.