MiSTer FPGA Forum

I have the digital IO board rather than the analog one (in hindsight I wouldn't have bothered buying an IO board at all). Previously I was using headphones via the headphone jack on my monitor with the HDMI audio. However, I have replaced my old monitor with a new one and one small oversight was the new one doesn't have a headphone jack. So I now have no audio.

What is a cheap option to get audio for headphones? I want as few extra devices and cables as possible. Alternatively I am tempted to return the monitor and get one that I can plug headphones into.

Hi,

You can either use a HDMI audio extractor or a Toslink audio DAC.

https://www.amazon.com//dp/B074HHSJVN/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KNNSKV0/

BigMac2 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 09, 2023 2:35 pm

Hi,

You can either use a HDMI audio extractor or a Toslink audio DAC.

Thanks. That dac (2nd link) seems to be usb powered. Would the Mister be able to power it via usb? That would be ideal. I have a Meanwell 4A (I think) power supply if that is relevant.

I don't own that particular model. Depending of your mister USB hub, if you got one of those add-on board for your MisterFPGA it shouldn't be a issue.

Fuzzball wrote: ↑Wed Aug 09, 2023 2:41 pm

Thanks. That dac (2nd link) seems to be usb powered. Would the Mister be able to power it via usb? That would be ideal. I have a Meanwell 4A (I think) power supply if that is relevant.

Yes, 4A should be plenty as long as you don't have a lot of other power-hungry devices connected via USB (e.g. spinning hard drives).

If the usb power is a issue, since it's a regular 5volt input, you could use your main Mister power supply with a Y splitter. Also, depending of your digital IO addons you will need a Toslink to SPIDF adaptor or cable:

https://www.amazon.com//dp/B08L4S4KBG

Great. Thanks for everyone's help.

Hang on. I just ordered the Prozor option but then realised there is no volume control on it. How do you change the volume?

In that case you will have to rely on the volume control in the Mister menu.

BigMac2 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 09, 2023 5:23 pm

In that case you will have to rely on the volume control in the Mister menu.

Does that work with the optical out? I thought optical was just a line level output?

Yes the menu change the volume on all output (HDMI, Digital audio and Analog with IO Board). It will lower the volume but the max volume will be topped at line level. If you need to drive a good pair of headphone with higher impedance you should check for a headphone DAC with a dedicated volume control.

This one should be better for your setup:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XDLCHY7/

BigMac2 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 09, 2023 5:56 pm

This one should be better for your setup:

That has no amp in it so surely that can also only lower the line level? Therefore no better than just adjusting in the Mister menu?

I think I have come to the conclusion that I should return this monitor and get one with a headphone jack.

I use this for my digital i/o board. I have the option for wired or bluetooth headphones. I use the usb power from the mister.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083LVX89D/

I don't need a headphone amp for my headphones (Apple Airpods Max), but saw this bundle (buyer beware I don't own the bundle, just the link above)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FBSK98M/

May want to do more research here for headphone amplifiers - https://esynic.com/collections/headphone-amplifier

Purely out of interest, but would Bluetooth headphones work with a MiSTer with a Bluetooth dongle? I don't have a set to try (well, I do but un/re-pairing them is dark magic!)

offset wrote: ↑Thu Aug 10, 2023 1:44 am

I use this for my digital i/o board. I have the option for wired or bluetooth headphones. I use the usb power from the mister.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083LVX89D/

I don't need a headphone amp for my headphones (Apple Airpods Max), but saw this bundle (buyer beware I don't own the bundle, just the link above)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FBSK98M/

May want to do more research here for headphone amplifiers - https://esynic.com/collections/headphone-amplifier

Thanks but I have now returned the monitor and will choose something else with a headphone jack. That was a bit of an oversight on my part. I don't really want the extra clutter of more devices and cables on my desk.

GreyAreaUK wrote: ↑Thu Aug 10, 2023 6:22 am

Purely out of interest, but would Bluetooth headphones work with a MiSTer with a Bluetooth dongle? I don't have a set to try (well, I do but un/re-pairing them is dark magic!)

Not with a regular bluetooth dongle, no. You could however use a 3.5mm jack to bluetooth transmitter. The audio latency may be overly distracting though.