Little Bear MC102 Mini Audio Switcher, 2-Way 3.5mm AUX Stereo Passive Selector, AB Switch Box Splitter for PC/Player/Headphone/Amplifier/Speaker

I'm using an MC102 with a single set of stereo speakers to allow selection of two computers as sound sources. It's working fine for me. I set the MC102's volume knob at maximum, then set my computers' volume controls as desired. I can then use the MC102's knob for a quick volume reduction when needed (about 1/4 turn from "normal listening" to "barely audible"), or use the mute button if needed. In either case, I don't have to bother with which computer I'm listening to or how (in?)convenient its volume and mute controls may be.Mounting Hint: The lower screw heads are somewhat shorter than the thickness of a pair of 3M Command picture hanging strips. So, two pair of the small size strips (NOTE: check seller & listing to avoid international shipping AFTER you select your quantity, AKA "Size Name", on the Amazon page) allow convenient mounting to almost any flat surface. I've got mine mounted vertically, on the side of a computer stand. It's light enough so you might even be able to mount it upside down underneath a shelf, though that's a NONrecommended use of Command products (they hold well in shear, but tend to slowly give way to tension, so beware).Usage Hint: The open-frame construction of the MC102 has a secret advantage. I can see the button positions (looking in through the side) from angles that block view of the face of the switch. So, I selected my cabling connections to the MC102 mnemonically: when the A/B switch button is more to my left, the computer more to my left is connected to my speakers. Likewise, button more rightward connects the computer more to my right. I can also see whether mute is engaged (button bottom more inboard of circuit board) or released (button bottom nearly even with circuit board).Another Usage Hint: The dual IN/OUT jacks on the MC102 are not in parallel. Using the one across from the A and B jacks cuts off the one between the A and B jacks, so the "far" jack is the one to use for headphones if you want to cut off speakers whenever you use headphones.

This works well as a passive switch and includes a volume knob useful to lower volume (but not increase). There are other brands where engaging the mute button causes hum, but in my system, this design adds no hum (though if you already have hum, it won't remove it).I am using this to switch inputs to a subwoofer and am glad that the cables can all attach to the rear though there is a front jack which when used switches off the rear middle jack. In my system, it doesn't make any electrical switching noises, the volume control is not scratchy either. It is visually interesting, a little bit SteamPunk in appearance though it's not very large and in my circumstances, not very noticeable.If you need such a switch, this could be a good choice. It's inexpensive, well made, and works well. It doesn't include any cables so you may want to order some cables along with the device according to need.

I had this for 6 years. It worked fine until, a few months ago, I got this hissing noise. Whenever I move the device, it crackles and pops. I guess it gave up the ghost, too bad.

Just love this little device for the following purpose. I've got a cheap ($15) Echo dot in my dining room, where we spend about half our non-working, waking time. I run a cheap M/M audio cable from it into the Little Bear and then have two cables going out, to (1) a standalone speaker/receiver (a Bose Sound Wave) in the dining room, and (2) with a fifteen-foot m/m cable ($11 on Amazon) to my dining room's stereo system's receiver's auxiliary port. Then, with my $3.99 per month Prime Music subscription (good for one device, the Echo), I can listen to any one of Prime's 60 million songs without leaving the couch. The Little Bear lets me listen from either room simply by popping it's little red button up and down, and, because it's not a splitter but an output selector, there's no degradation in sound from having the two choices. The real treat is that I've got a zillion cassettes and vinyl albums from the 80's and 90's that I can't otherwise listen to anymore (my turntable is shot and, as for cassettes, remember hisssssss?). Now, I just glance at that dusty collection and then utter, say: "Alexa, play Joni Mitchell's Shadows and Light" or some other obscure album, and *boom*, it starts playing in whichever room I've selected.Some have noted the issue with the volume dial. Yep, it doesn't really change the volume well. But, since for my purposes the sound is going through two different receivers anyway, I use THEM to adjust the volume as I want it for each device (cuz they have different sensitivities anyway). I just keep the Little Bear set at half volume, and that works fine.