ConradH:
Don't worry about it being "…a sorta goofy solution…" because it's a sorta goofy problem (who actually uses a BPC "mini-rack", right? LOL). So thank you. Unfortunately, I am not on (or even near) your level of technical expertise, nor do I have "…a junkbox full of old resistors and capacitors…"
But thank you just the same!
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To keep it brief, the answer to your "do I have that right?" question is, well, nope. No offense...
*snip*
It's also possible to dig into the circuitry and find the point "after" the phono preamp, break the connection, and insert the aux in there. Might be as easy as the source select switch, or the volume knob if you don't care about cassette playback. But some of these combo units are so highly integrated that even the disassemble/reassemble process is taxing, much less circuit mods without expertise or schematics. Even though I know what to do, I probably wouldn't do it myself, from a time and hassle standpoint.
The cassette-in method will work well enough for what you're after, and it's quick and free. You might even be able to remove the cassette door cover and avoid drilling completely. Worth a look.
*snip*
Good luck!
Chip
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Chip--no offense taken! I'm a car guy--this stuff is greek to me--but I DO appreciate what squirts out of the speakers. :thmbsp:
If YOU find it taxing, I'm sure I don't want to attempt it, and I highly doubt I could do it. But I do appreciate the explanation, as I figured that there probably was a way to "tap into" the amp, since such stereos ('er, well, boom boxes) USED TO come with a TON of inputs.
I found my digital/analogue converter, and thanks for the cassette-door removal idea! I will give that a whirl.
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Short answer: NO. Phono output is typically 2.5mV and AUX is 1V; so you can plug it into the phono input but even at full volume you'll barely get any sound.
....and that's the truth.
Thank you--I never would have doubted you.
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Your 4 ohm 8 ohm anology only refers to speaker load impedances, not input impedances.
Your phono input is preamplified and is only for turntables with magnetic cartridges. If you do plug into the phono inputs, you will get gawd awfull distortion and an overdrive type of condition.
If you know what to look for, you can get inside and connect an extra female stereo RCA jack tapped into the CD input along with an external switch to switch back & forth between CD and AUX.
centurytek,
I appreciate the education. And I've heard that "gawd awful distortion and an overdrive type of condition" before. And you're right--it's "gawd awful! LOL
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No! Phono inputs are only for phono cartridges. They have output levels measured in millivolts (usually around 5mv for moving magnet cartridges) and need the RIAA equalization that the phono preamplifier stage provides. The standard input impedance for a phono input is 47K Ohms.
Line level inputs (CD, Aux, Tape etc.) usually have an input impedance of 20K Ohms or more. They are designed for input levels up to around 2 Volts.
Note: 1,000 millivolts equals 1 Volt.
No input made by anyone for anything is a 4 or 8 Ohm input. The only place where loads like that are ever found is with speakers. It's the speakers that provide the 4 or 8 Ohm load. The output impedance where you connect the speakers is extremely low. In many cases it's less than 1 Ohm.
You can usually get away with connecting the headphone out from a TV to a LINE LEVEL input. An inverse RIAA adaptor will allow you to connect a line level device to a phono input.
JoeESP9,
As with the others, your taking the time to educate me is much appreciated. And yes, I was planning on using the TV's headphone jack as the output. Thanks again.
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No
The built in CD player has a low level audio output which is connected to the pre amp. Why not just tap into that circuit?
*snip*
glen65,
If I could find that circuit, I'd love to do that. But as one other member stated, these things are so integrated that even HE wouldn't want to do it.
If it were not for that fact,
and the fact that I do not know what I'm looking for, I would gladly do as you suggest.
Thank you for the education, and vote of confidence.
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Why not just a Y connector/splitter in the tape input and do it that way?:scratch2:
sb47,
Thank you, but I only have one set of inputs, and they're for "Phono." We're deep in BPC-territory, here--LOL!
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The $20 solution is to start checking yard sales for a real receiver or other "mini system".
wmgwizard,
Words to live by! Thanks!
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For those who haven't used one, an inverse RIAA network typically pads the signal down to suitable levels for phono, so a 1V line input is no problem. The results will be as good as the phono section, though the signal to noise might suffer somewhat. For TV you'll never notice it. The advantage to doing it this way is you don't have to open anything up. If you can grab a high level input somewhere inside, add jacks and a switch, yes, that would be a technically better solution.
ConradH,
I envy you your technical expertise, but if that's really you in your avatar, then I'm doubly in awe of your skills.
Please raise the efficiency of solar panels, so we can get off of oil as much as possible, as soon as possible, okay? :thmbsp:
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Here's an idea: get a small FM transmitter, the kind that transmit the audio from an MP3 player through your car radio. Rig up a 12VDC power supply for the transmitter, plug in the TV into the transmitter, then tune it in on the FM section of the all-in-one unit. It will not be 'hifi', but it sounds like your stereo isn't considered hifi anyway. I all could be done for $50. PM me with any questions.
Best regards,
QEMaster
QEMaster,
Wow! That's thinking outside the "box"--literally! And here I am, studying for my HAM license, and I never thought of this. I remember when I worked at Saturn, what you suggest was the dealer solution (and possibly the factory's, too? :sigh
for playing CD's in the cars. As you say, it was something less than "hifi" but most customers didn't notice.
I should have thought of this one myself--thanks!
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From the way he talked there isn't a tape input, just phono.
He's doesn't want to use the built in CD player. He didn't give the model number,
but it shouldn't be too big of a deal to disconnect output audio leads coming from the
internal CD player, and sub it with a pair of jacks.
glen65,
Yup--phono inputs only. And the unit is out of town, or I would have given you the Model Number.
If I had your skills, I'd do as you suggest--thanks.
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I bought an adapter from some website a couple of years ago that changes a phono input to line level input. It cost around $25 which may be more than your BPC is worth but there you have it. The brand is MCMcustomaudio... no affiliation.
Hayes,
Interesting site. I could actually comprehend more of what I was reading than I expected.
Now maybe I searched incorrectly, but I found this:
http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/40-630 . However, IF I understand what I'm reading, that unit is for going the other direction, i.e., OUT from a turntable, into a line level input. Is that correct? What I (BELIEVE) I need to do is LOWER a line level OUTput to a Phono-level INput.
But since I found my digital-to-analogue cassette converter, I have my low dollar/low tech solution.
But I will keep that site for future reference. Thanks.
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G'day all, well, a reverse RIAA equaliser circuit is all one needs, and here is a simple project that does just this:
http://sound.westhost.com/project80.htm Regards, Felix aka catman.
catman,
I have two or three college degrees, work on cars, and can even do some BASIC stuff with a VOM, like continuity checks, resistance, voltage, etc. And I have a (non-tech) grad. degree.
So…my girlfriend (MBA) and I tried to read the instructions at the link provided--and I DO thank you for it, very much! It's just that having to google every term had us feeling SO IGNORANT, we didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
:tears::lmao::saywhat::nutz:
And I'm sure that that project was the equivalent of me making breakfast, in terms of difficulty for you. I'm glad there's dudes with your level of expertise out there--ALL of you, for that matter.
I hope to get to try out my "hack" this week. If so, I will report back.
And can I just say that the sheer SPEED with with you all responded, especially in light of your collective creativity and expertise, was damned astounding! I'm proud to be a (largely electronically-ignorant) member here. My main interest is McIntosh stereo, and no, I don't have any yet. But I do enjoy the "Dollars and Sense" section, among others.
Thanks again!
Sublover
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) my neighbor gave me rather beefy "mini rack" system. I'd guess it's from the '90's and it's a SONY. Typical BPC, but seemingly a better than average example (in excellent condition, too). The bookshelf speakers (also SONY, 18" high, dual ports) are surprisingly good, for my basement workshop, where I've got them on a 32w/side amp. The SONY head unit is surprisingly heavy, too.
