USB to 2 RCA cable

Forums › Home Theatre (incl HTPC) › USB to 2 RCA cable

timbo1604

102 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Topic # 94771 18-Dec-2011 19:08

I had a setup that used a headphone jack to 2 RCA cable going from my PC into my amp. Apparently now my headphone port is knackered on the PC so I'm wondering if I can find a USB to 2 RCA cable to use instead.

Went to Dick Smiths and they said they'd heard of them but didn't know where to find one. Can't easily find one locally or on the web either (can't honestly say I've spent hours looking though!).

Do these cables exist? If so, does anyone know where I can get one please?

Cheers!

dontpanic42

1574 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 11

Reply # 559318 18-Dec-2011 19:13

This would probably work.
Just put a 3.5mm phono jack -to- 2xRCA cable in between and you're set.

sbiddle

27066 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6509

Moderator

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 559321 18-Dec-2011 19:16

A USB port can't directly be connected to an audio device. You'd need to get a USB sound card first.

Is there any reason why you were using the headphone port? It's quite possibly been killed because you were using it to drive an amp, something it's not designed for - that's what a line out is for. What are you using the line out for now?

timbo1604

102 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 559330 18-Dec-2011 19:34

sbiddle: A USB port can't directly be connected to an audio device. You'd need to get a USB sound card first.

So you don't think Dontpanic42's suggestion would work?

I use that cable because all the other outputs are taken up by other devices. We just run the cable from the headphone port into the amp to listen to itunes (it's a backpackers hostel reception).

If there's a better way to do it I'll definitely have a look.

oldmaknz

536 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 559332 18-Dec-2011 19:42

Dontpanic42's suggestion will work, it is acting as a USB sound card, generating the audio output. From there just plug your existing cable in and it will work fine.

timbo1604

102 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 559333 18-Dec-2011 19:43

maknz: Dontpanic42's suggestion will work, it is acting as a USB sound card, generating the audio output. From there just plug your existing cable in and it will work fine.

Thanks!

timbo1604

102 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 559334 18-Dec-2011 19:44

dontpanic42: This would probably work.
Just put a 3.5mm phono jack -to- 2xRCA cable in between and you're set.

Thanks for the advice, will give that device a go.

oldmaknz

536 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 559335 18-Dec-2011 19:45

timbo1604:
maknz: Dontpanic42's suggestion will work, it is acting as a USB sound card, generating the audio output. From there just plug your existing cable in and it will work fine.

Thanks!

You will want to check the system requirements before purchasing, however.

sbiddle

27066 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6509

Moderator

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 559340 18-Dec-2011 20:05

And you may also want to look elsewhere if price is an issue, last time I looked you could pick these up for around US$2.50 incl shipping from dealextreme.

sbiddle

27066 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6509

Moderator

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 559342 18-Dec-2011 20:06

timbo1604:
I use that cable because all the other outputs are taken up by other devices. We just run the cable from the headphone port into the amp to listen to itunes (it's a backpackers hostel reception).

What is the line out being used for? You could always just put a $2 two way splitter on that.

Hammerer

1687 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 401

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 559364 18-Dec-2011 20:43

Audio cabling is nothing special so you might have other options:

If it is only the headphone connector that is busted then get new/recycled wiring and connectors for the motherboard audio pinouts to the front panel. You could also strip the headphone connector from the RCA cable and solder it directly to the headphone connector wires in your computer.

If you have a USB camera and headset (headphone and microphone) already hooked up for Skype/video conferencing or if you have a spare headset then you can use the headphone connector on that. If it is mono then it might not matter too much if you have your stereo speakers close together.

Survival of the fittest • 68kg HP Color LaserJet behemoth • 38kg HP Color LaserJet giant • 82kg HP Netserver leviathan - Extinct 2015 • 61kg HP Netserver brontosaurus - Extinct 2010 • 32kg Compaq Proliant goliath - Extinct 2010 • 31kg 21" IBM CRT gargantua - Extinct 2010

bazzer

3284 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 208

Trusted

Reply # 559508 19-Dec-2011 11:52

sbiddle: It's quite possibly been killed because you were using it to drive an amp, something it's not designed for - that's what a line out is for. What are you using the line out for now?

Huh?