Overall set-up to support PC and a turntable

[awesome_sheeps]

Hi! Am at my wit's end here. I'm trying to find a solution that will allow me to listen to my turntable (AT-LP70XBT) either via my speakers (audio engine A5+), or via my earpiece (3.55mm jack), while concurrently supporting inputs from my PC.

Basically, I want the ability to choose between a source (either from my PC or my turntable), to then listen to it via my speakers or my earpiece.

My basic googling/discussion with ChatGPT is that the Fiio K7 headphone amp/dac combo, would be a good choice. The Creative Sound Blaster X5 would also work, it seems? I would then connect my PC and my turntable to the Fiio K7/Creative X5 via usb and RCA cables respectively, and I would then connect it to my speakers via RCA output.

I can then choose on the K7, whether I want the input to be my turntable or my pc, and for the output to be via my speakers or the headphone jack? Would this work?

Or is there an even simpler solution that I'm not seeing? I'm open to having more than one device (e.g., a phono pre-amp + amp/dac) if it's a better alternative also..

 

[staticV3]

I can then choose on the K7, whether I want the input to be my turntable or my pc, and for the output to be via my speakers or the headphone jack? Would this work?

Yes.

Or is there an even simpler solution that I'm not seeing?

I don't think so. The K7 solution is pretty straightforward.

 

[awesome_sheeps]

Yes.


I don't think so. The K7 solution is pretty straightforward.

Thank you! Would you have any experience between the Fiio K7 and the Creative Sound Blaster X5? They are just about the same price for me in my market, so am unsure which should I go for.

 

[staticV3]

Would you have any experience between the Fiio K7 and the Creative Sound Blaster X5?

I do not. Hopefully others can give some pointers.

 

[JeremyFife]

Purely to give you an alternative, a Fosi preamp/dac with analogue input for your TT and with a headphone output recently got a good review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...d-headphone-amp-dac-review.65913/post-2402904

No reason to think it would be better (audibly) than the FiiO

Sorry, also no knowledge of the Creative X5 product.

 

[awesome_sheeps]

Purely to give you an alternative, a Fosi preamp/dac with analogue input for your TT and with a headphone output recently got a good review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...d-headphone-amp-dac-review.65913/post-2402904

No reason to think it would be better (audibly) than the FiiO

Sorry, also no knowledge of the Creative X5 product.

thanks for sharing! Will probably lean towards this option, purely on the basis that it's a newer model/the prices of the K7 and this, are similar in my area