Optical audio splitter why Active over passive ? Is it snake oil sales ?

[Earwax]

I`m researching Optical audio splitters to use from my Sony Bravia TV that only has one optical output and 2 is needed 1 for my amp for movies and the other to DAC that goes to my Harmon Kardon AVR 140 AMP that as Along bypass Pure direct mode others call it.

This AVR 140 is older so only mostly Dolby pro Logic and DTS no newer stuff like Atmos...

Setup is using a desktop Asus rog strix as the source then HDMI to the TV. HDMI cables and optical cables will not be exceeding 6 feet in length.

My question is what is best for my setup active or passive and what's the difference ? or is it snake oil sales ? It claims the active regenerates & enhances signal strength and some reviews are stating problems with passive versions..

I`m looking at the Bluerrigger digital audio splitter 1x2. I just bought there optical cable with aluminum shell and braided line it`s a superior build quality to the others I`ve had that's why I`m looking at there splitter....

I`m open to other brands just sharing my findings.

Thank you for your time it is always much appreciated !

 

[AnalogSteph]

A passive optical splitter invariably means at least 3 dB and change of signal loss, or roughly 3 m of cable length (assuming standard plastic fiber). This should still be fine if your cable length requirements are modest otherwise (1-2 m, maybe 5 m tops), and such a thing pretty much won't break if you're not drowning it in dust and dirt.

Now if you still need a 10 m cable run, I would prefer something active.

 

[Salt]

Don't understand the probelm: if the TV outputs to AVR?

 

[EERecordist]

In optical systems, similar to electrical systems, you have a transmit power in dBm referenced to 1 Milliwatt, a loss, and a receiver sensitivity in dBm. Your loss is the connector, the fiber (connector-splitter-connector-fiber) connector, receiver. The specified loss budget is designed for tens of meters of fiber, depending on the type of fiber. Your search terms are TOSLink optical layer specification link budget dB. As long as your connectors are clean, you should be fine.

 

[boxerfan88]

I am using this to split my PC optical output to feed AVR and R2R DAC. It’s active and reliable, no dropouts. The online shop I bought it from years ago no longer sells it. You’ll need to find something similar. It wasn’t expensive, about US$10++

 

[kemmler3D]

As others have mentioned, you want active splitters when you need long runs or you otherwise have signal quality problems. There are plenty of cheap splitters out there, the main thing I would say is don't bother with fancy / audiophile stuff, it's an old and robust type of cable within specs (sometimes outside of specs) so if it works, it works.

 

[Earwax]

Don't understand the probelm: if the TV outputs to AVR?

For movies I`m using digital so straight from TV optical to AVR optical

For music I`m using analog pure direct so TV optical to DAC optical to RCA inputs of AVR

 

[Earwax]

Bought a Linkfor brand active splitter, the bluerigger one seems over priced almost double both have excellent reviews with over 3000 ratings.


Passive would probably do the job but I did`nt see any with decent quality builds just very cheap looking so with the active I can use cables that have quality builds.