2.12.5 and the problem returns

[AcrossTheWaves]

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If I went to direct optical:

1. Would the phantoms still play in stereo or would I have to split or manual change the optical feeds from both my sources (innuos and turntable)?

2. How would I control volume?

3. Are they any other consequences I should be aware of given my set up?

1. You would have to split the feeds: plug the left output in an ADC then plug that optical cable to the left Phantom, and to the reverse (right output -> second adc -> right phantom).

2. You would have to find a way do that, by using a mixer or a sound card. With something like a Focusrite Scarlett, I'd use its inputs for the Innuos and for the turntable, and the volume could be managed with the "monitor" knob on it. It has a small advantage: the mixer would not need to "switch" inputs, it would mix them.

3. I don't see any other consequences besides the fact that it's gonna need two ADC and a mixer/sound card mixer like.

As you said: this is a nuclear option, it's adding more cables and moving parts, but I'm pretty sure this would result in a really stable setup.