Splitter question

While there are some circumstances in which routing two outputs to one input with a splitter would work ok, there are many more circumstances in which the results will be either what you have described, or very poor sonics, or possibly even damage, eventually if not sooner.  It all depends on the specific designs that are involved, but generally speaking it is an approach that should be avoided.

In doing that you are of course connecting the two outputs to each other, as well as to the desired input.  And if only one of the two source components is turned on at any given time you are loading the output that is being used with whatever output impedance the other component presents when it is turned off.  Depending on the specific design that could be just about anything. 

In some cases the unpowered component may have a muting relay at its output, which would put a direct short on the signal being provided by the other component, resulting in no sound.  In other cases the output impedance of the unpowered component may vary with the level of the signal being provided by the component that is being used, resulting in poor sonics at best.  And I wouldn't rule out the possibility that there may be a few cases in which damage could occur, eventually if not sooner, as a result of a short or near-short being applied to a powered up output.

The suggestion by Donvito is a good one.  Another possibility would be a line-level switchbox.  I have used the DB Systems DBP-2JAU/5 ($110) with good results.  See the "photo" and "review" links for the DBP-2J/5 near the top of the following page (that model is the same as the DBP-2JAU/5 except its connectors are not gold plated).  I've also provided a link to their home page, at which you can find contact information:

https://www.dbsystemsaudio.com/access.html

https://www.dbsystemsaudio.com/

Also, at a considerably higher price point Decware makes a nice switchbox:

http://www.decware.com/newsite/ZSB.html

Regards,
-- Al 

Thanks Al...great feedback as usual. I won’t use a splitter!  What is your opinion as to the switchbox with the volume control (which I don’t really need) such as the schiit versus the one without?  Only need two inputs and it is for my daughter with very basic components. The $49 for the schiit is attractive but curious if switchbox without that would be sonically better?

Mike

Given your situation, I would be inclined to use the SYS. Has the two inputs you need. Would probably use it full open for vinyl playback which likely has a lower voltage output. One could turn the SYS volume down for digital playback such that the gain into the tube amplifier is closer to that of the TT. 

Great gift to your daughter! 

My hunch is that you won’t be able to hear a difference in sound quality using the SYS and you’ll appreciate being able to attenuate signal levels as needed between the two sources.

I agree, assuming the two source components are solid state.

Given that the integrated amp is tube-based, its input impedance is probably high enough to not be an issue with the Sys. However the input impedance of the Sys is only 10K (presumably corresponding to the overall resistance of its volume control). That is too low to be optimal when driven by many tube-based components, and at least a few solid state components.

So assuming the two source components are solid state, and given also the relatively non-critical nature of the application, while a simple switchbox would eliminate a little bit of uncertainty about impedance compatibility, the Sys appears likely to be a good solution. With the added benefit Tom & Mesch referred to that the volume control can provide.

Best regards,
-- Al