Using the tape monitor/loop on receiver without an aux/tape channel for phone/mp3 input?

soloorbit

soloorbit

New Member
The question title says it all: I'm considering purchasing this vintage panasonic receiver for my girlfriend to connect her record player (the switched AC outlet is key), but I'd also like to run a line-in for her computer or phone so it's not just a one-trick pony. :)

Anyway--this unit (picture quality on the ebay posting is better, http://r.ebay.com/F4gCvf) has ports for a tape loop of some sort, but it does NOT have a setting on the channel selector for tape input. So I'm not sure--is it even possible to use the tape input as an auxiliary?

If so, how would I connect it? On the left side of the front face, there is a "Tape Mon" toggle, where you can select either "source" or "tape". But on the right side, the channel selector only has options for AM, FM Auto, Phono 1, Phono 2. So it isn't clear to me how this unit integrates with its tape channel..

If I can't configure it for a second/auxiliary input I think I'll keep looking. Thanks in advance for any insights!

St-1

St-1

  • Media owner soloorbit
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Panasonic SA-700 front face

St-2

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  • Media owner soloorbit
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Panasonic SA-700 rear panel
 
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Where are you located? There should be better choices of vintage receivers than the panasonic in your area. That receiver is limited in what it gives you both in inputs and power. What is your budget? Thanks for posting pics!
 
Before investing in that for use with a record player, you need to research if it has a phono preamp first. If it does you can use it the way you want. The tape monitor switch will allow input from a phone or mp3 player. But make sure it will work with a moving magnet cartridge turntable first. Many of the older units like that only worked with ceramic cartridges (no phono preamp needed).
 
@purple1, the back plane has two phono inputs, which look a little different. Phono1 looks like RCA connectors, and is marked "High Level". Phono 2 looks like something I've never seen, and is marked "Low Level". The channel selector has specific positions for Phono 1 and Phono 2. ..I had assumed her seemingly simple record player with RCA plugs will work in that Phono 1 channel. ......if nothing else, I can tell you for certain that I was able to run the record player through my desktop computer's Mic Input. It sounded "wimpy", like it lacked the low end, but it worked. However, I know Phono and Line In are not identical strength signals, so I just expected that, naturally, it would come to life when paired with a legit phono input.
 
It looks like it does have a low level phono input with some kind of protectors in the jacks. Still most of us will tell you that we think you can do better for the money, ($99.99 + $89.28 Shipping) is a lot of coin for that. Heck if you were closer I could do way better for you with your budget
 
There is a $45 shipping option if you expand the shipping details. (We'll call it $150 altogether.) However, admittedly it's the top end of what I'm looking to spend. But I like that it comes with the speakers, and the phrasing of the ad says it's guaranteed to work (DOA protected). However I DISLIKE that the tape/line in does not have a channel selector position. I'm not at all clear how that works. Does it imply anything connected to tape in automatically passes through the pre/pwr stages when the unit is in ANY on position? (i.e. AM, FM, Phono1, Phono2) ..or maybe there is an unmarked on/accessory position? ..the latter seems very unlikely.
 
For an input it will bypass any other input settings. It would allow you to make a tape from any of the other inputs and (monitor) listen to the output from the tape recorder. Some tape recorders allowed you to record a tape and a second head would play back the recording as you made it. In other words you could monitor the recording. A tape monitor (loop) would also allow connecting a equalizer or some other enhancement device if you wanted.

If it were me, I would be patient and shop around. Look in the local thrift stores. I see stuff like this and better for way less all the time. But that is my opinion and you can do what you like.
 
Sorry, I need a better (bigger) picture of the back. .. I've had a couple of the "plywood" Pannasonics and they are not that bad. Most were FET power sections that sounded nice. A bit warm, but very nice. The tuners were OK (if in spec) and although the power is modest, it's good. The speakers will be nothing to write home about. But used speakers can be refurbed later and attached for a good sound.

It looks to me as though the tape input/output is through that DIN connector... If so, there are plenty of DIN/RCA cables on offer from eBay. Ooops, now I see the parallel ones just below. Either way ...

You'll need a can of DeOxit for sure (and Fader Lube, if you want silky smooth). This is a late1960's unit, so it'll have some contact "crud" issues. Fortunately they did not use closed switches back then (much) so it should come right around with treatment and exercise :)

Is there a manual for this over on HiFi-Engine? Nope, I just looked :(

OK, to answer the headline question, your MP3 Player, CD, or Computer sound card out goes to TAPE Play (input from a TAPE Machine). The REC side is the signal going out to the TAPE Machine and can go to an input on your sound card. Your PC can just become a digital tape recorder/player :)
 
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Ok I found a couple good explanations of tape loops that helped me understand this, which I'll post here in case anyone Googling runs across this thread.

In a nutshell, using the input portion of a tape loop, with the "monitor" setting engaged, effectively overrides the selected input channel and impersonates an auxiliary channel input. So, when the "monitor" setting is enabled, the selected input source is automatically hijacked, and the tape-in signal takes precedence. (Circuit wise, the tape-out is still sending the selected input source to the tape loop, but it's rendered irrelevant by the context.)

While this is something I'd feel clever for doing in the right context, I'd prefer a more intuitive solution for my girlfriend. I think I'll go with @purple1's advice and keep on the lookout for something working with both a legit aux input source and a built-in switched ac outlet. Thanks to all of you for the insights.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/what-is-a-quot-tape-loop-quot

http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?p=12193665&sid=016160e53e5c44d7f53bfbc6f1eddfa9#p12193665
 
I think that is too much money for that unit. It has the original speakers so you are paying for its intrinsic collector value, which you probably don't need. Also, some of the speakers with that type of equipment weren't all that great.

But if you like the looks of it and want it, go for it. Hopefully it sounds good. And yes you can plug an MP3 player or phone or whatever into the tape in. You just select it with the tape button instead of the function switch.

It might sound great. A quick check eye on the net says the speakers are rated 20 watts. Well at least that is probably an honest rating. Matching the receiver, that is probably the power it has. Twenty watts is plenty for alot of people. Put it this way, unless you spent alot of money that is about what your car stereo has, and some of them go pretty loud. (factory stereo and not in a $90,000 Cadillac)
 
Aaa, you got in edgewise. That is because I typo at 100 WPM and correct at 8 WPM leaving me at a net of about 9 WPM LOL.

Anyway, now that you are heading a new direction, for speakers you might want to go Craigslist and get something you can actually go hear. Not as important for a receiver or amp, the speakers make alot more difference in the sound. Small EPIs, Bostons, Baby Advents even, are probably better than those Panasonics. Thing is the price. You'll get your budget squeezed a bit for the receiver or amp.

You connected the TT to the PC and it sounded wimpy, so it has a magnetic cartridge. Actually most PCs do not take MIC level, there are two connections like a stereo 3.5mm plug but one is power for the preamp built into the microphone and the actual input is line level mono.
 
You can plug an ipod, phone, tape deck , CD or DVD player into the RCA jacks marked "play back". Then switch the Tape Monitor switch to "Tape" and you will hear whatever is plugged into the "play back" RCA plugs.
 
There are so many decent used AVr's out there as folks upgrade their HT systems, I'd be there (well I have been there :D ). I have no knock against "vintage" which was new when I started so it's all just gear to me. A good used high end AVR will have a bazzilion inputs compared to most "affordable" vintage receivers. If you want sexy silver faced, Sony made some that will blend right in :)

STR DA xxxx ES series in silver :)
 
I never sweat the AVR's w/o Phono Stage. A lot that do have a phono stage, have a very mediocre one.

But there are really nice external phono stages for not much. ART DJ, TCC750, Emotiva can all be had for not much, and paired with a nice high end used AVR will really get quite a nice starter system :)
 
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