Can You Split an Optical Sound Cable?

You need an adapter to split an optical sound cable.

Optical sound cables, being based on fiber optics, have better fidelity than traditional wire cables, but you can't splice into them easily as you can with wire. To split the signals in an optical sound cable, you need a special coupler.

Signal Splitting

Usually, you use a cable to connect one audio device's signal output to the input of another. Sometimes, however, you want to share a signal with several devices. Sound technicians need to be able to split signals into multiple paths when necessary.

Cable Splicing

Traditional sound cables work by conducting the flow of electrons in metal conductors. You can easily split the signal in a wire sound cable by soldering another wire to the cable. Optical cables work by reflecting light pulses inside a glass fiber. You can't cut or splice an optical cable without compromising the light inside.

Optical Coupler

An optical cable coupler has three socket connectors: one that accepts an optical output from a device and two outlets that each accept an optical cable. This shares the signal optically, allowing you to drive several devices from a single source.

References

• Digital Optical Cables: Optical Cable Splitter
• Audioholics: TOSLINK Interconnect History and Basics