Silly question about audio digital out

[streamophile]

Quick newbie question:

I recently got a Topping E50 DAC to bring together my three main digital audio sources: my laptop, Chromecast audio (CCA), and TV audio.

I thought this DAC could work for my needs as the laptop could be connected via USB, then the CCA could be connected with a mini-toslink to optical and my TV could be connected via the coax input. However, I recently came to know that my Sony TV only has an optical audio out and that a optical to coax cable is not a thing...

My issue is that I do not want to buy a coax to optical converter and switching cables between the TV optical and the CCA optical is quite impractical.

Am I missing something or am I just dumb for not researching this beforehand?

 

[Kal Rubinson]

My issue is that I do not want to buy a coax to optical converter

Why not?

 

[staticV3]

either use a Toslink to Coax converter, or a Toslink switch box: https://www.google.com/search?q=lindy+automatic+toslink+switch

 

[Zek]

Maybe something like this

optical spdif splitter - Google Search

 

[staticV3]

Maybe something like this

optical spdif splitter - Google Search

OP needs multiple Toslink inputs. A splitter just splits one input into multiple outputs.

 

[Zek]

OP needs multiple Toslink inputs.

Active SPDIF Optical Toslink Switch 3 to 1 - Audiophonics

This SPDIF switch has three inputs and one output in Toslink optical format. It allows you to multiply the number of sources for the same output, and to easily select the active source.

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[staticV3]

Active SPDIF Optical Toslink Switch 3 to 1 - Audiophonics

This SPDIF switch has three inputs and one output in Toslink optical format. It allows you to multiply the number of sources for the same output, and to easily select the active source.

www.audiophonics.fr

yup, that's the one.
there are even some automatic versions that'll detect a signal and switch the input for you.

 

[Hemi-Demon]

It's a significant jump in price at $1299, but you could just purchase a Topping DX9 and be done with it.

It has 2 coaxial, 2 optical, USB and AES input(s).

 

[Gary_G]

Automatic SPDIF (Optical/RCA) Audio Switch by Beni_Skate on Tindie

Automatic Optical/RCA SPDIF Audio Switch with Optical/RCA SPDIF Output and additional high quality Audio DAC

www.tindie.com

 

[staticV3]

Lindy has an automatic switch for $50, though they mainly sell in the EU:

Lindy optical 2 Port Audio Switch

Optical 2-Port Audio Switch Connects two digital optical TosLink sources with an optical TosLink input, Automatic or manual switching function, Inputs: 2x TosLink, Outputs: 1x TosLink, Audio format: S/PDIF - 2-channel (PCM), Dimensions (W x D x H):...

www.thomannmusic.com

 

[MaxwellsEq]

Automatic SPDIF (Optical/RCA) Audio Switch by Beni_Skate on Tindie

Automatic Optical/RCA SPDIF Audio Switch with Optical/RCA SPDIF Output and additional high quality Audio DAC

www.tindie.com

I have one of these it works well.

 

[streamophile]

These options are a big part of the cost of the DAC new, which was 130€. I do not think having another box which adds to the visual and length-of-the-audio-chain clutter is where I want to be. I feel I should have researched this more and these not so cheap solutions are a bad fix at best.

I guess I'll wait for the Wiim Ultra and try to sell the E50 DAC and the Chromecast Audio to close the gap in price and have a really good all-in-one solution for my needs (budget-ish, compact, TV via eARC & laptop on USB, PEQ and sub out). Waiting it is... such is life, as my professor used to say