stereo mini jack coupler (contact issues)

[fandango]

The way I have my workstation set up is that there is a switch that splits the stereo output from my Delta 2496 between two different Phono output sets.

One goes to my speakers, the other goes to my headphones. For the speakers, this is perfect.

However, in order to connect to the headphones I have to connect 2 male 3.5 jacks together using one of these:



They're always fine for a few months or so, but then I lose the left signal and have to roll the jacks around a bit until I hear the correct signal again.

Doesn't matter if I go for pricey gold ones or Maplin cheapo ones, same thing always happens.

I'm not a hardware person (as you can tell from reading this ) but I wondered if there's some sort of contact spray, cleaning technique or something that would help this issue rather than constantly buying new couplers?

[whyterabbyt]

The way I have my workstation set up is that there is a switch that splits the stereo output from my Delta 2496 between two different Phono output sets.

One goes to my speakers, the other goes to my headphones. For the speakers, this is perfect.

However, in order to connect to the headphones I have to connect 2 male 3.5 jacks together using one of these:



They're always fine for a few months or so, but then I lose the left signal and have to roll the jacks around a bit until I hear the correct signal again.

Doesn't matter if I go for pricey gold ones or Maplin cheapo ones, same thing always happens.

I'm not a hardware person (as you can tell from reading this ) but I wondered if there's some sort of contact spray, cleaning technique or something that would help this issue rather than constantly buying new couplers?

What's the switch? Is it external, or internal to the Delta?

What's the reason you have to connect via the connector shown? Cable too short? Connecting phono-to-3.5mmjack to 3.5mm socket?

If I had to do something like this my optimal solution would be to make up a simple 'convertor' or 'patchbay' in a stompbox-style almunium enclosure with the phono sockets on one side and the 3.5mm jack sockets on the other.

[fandango]

What's the switch? Is it external, or internal to the Delta?

Hiya. It's external. Took a quick photo:

What's the reason you have to connect via the connector shown? Cable too short? Connecting phono-to-3.5mmjack to 3.5mm socket?

From the 2 phono outs (going to headphone), they then go through this trainwreck...



I guess I could cut out the coupler by getting a phono to jack(F) adapter, but I never find them in Maplin or other places, and searches always bring up variants but not the thing I'm looking for.

[whyterabbyt]

What's the switch? Is it external, or internal to the Delta?

Hiya. It's external. Took a quick photo:

..

What's the reason you have to connect via the connector shown? Cable too short? Connecting phono-to-3.5mmjack to 3.5mm socket?

From the 2 phono outs (going to headphone), they then go through this trainwreck...

..

I guess I could cut out the coupler by getting a phono to jack(F) adapter, but I never find them in Maplin or other places, and searches always bring up variants but not the thing I'm looking for.

Ah, I get it. Something like this perhaps?



http://www.amazon.co.uk/3-5mm-Stereo-So ... pd_cp_ce_0

or this more expensive alternative

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quality-3-5mm-S ... ce_title_1



The DIY solution would be one of these

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/jack-connectors/0392615/

to two cables with phono jacks on the other end.

[fandango]

Ah, that would be the chap, thanks! Bypassing any adapters in general. I'll order the cheap one and see how it goes.

Thanks again!