Toslink Optical Audio Splitter 1 In 2 Out | All Sockets | Digital SPDIF

Product Overview

A passive Toslink splitter that takes one digital optical audio source and feeds it to two devices at once — a soundbar and a set of powered speakers, an amplifier and a headphone DAC, or a TV feeding both the lounge system and a recorder. There is no power lead and nothing to set up: plug it in and both outputs run together.

It is an all-socket part, and that is the thing to be clear about before ordering. There are three full-size Toslink (EIAJ) female sockets on it — one at the narrow end for the incoming signal, and two at the wide end for the outgoing ones. There is no plug moulded on and no cable attached, so you will need three optical leads to use it: one from the source into the input, and one from each output to each device. None are supplied. The advantage of building it this way is that the splitter is not tethered to the source — you can put it wherever it is convenient in the run, including down behind the gear.

Inside is a lens that divides the incoming light between the two outputs. That is worth understanding, because it is what a passive splitter does: each output receives roughly half the optical power of the original. In practice that is fine for normal domestic runs with decent leads, and it is why we would suggest keeping the cables reasonably short and in good condition rather than running long or tired ones off each output. It carries stereo PCM and encoded surround formats such as Dolby Digital and DTS exactly as the source sends them — it does not decode, convert or alter the signal in any way.

Two things worth checking before you order. First, this is the all-socket version. Most splitters sold online are a short pigtail with a male plug on the input end that pushes straight into the device; this one is not that, and if you were expecting a plug you will want the other kind. Second, it is a splitter, not a switch or a selector. It sends one source out to two devices, both live together. It will not take two sources and merge them into one output — nothing passive can do that, and combining two digital streams needs a powered selector instead.