Looking for a turntable

[garww]

The pre out should have tone and volume. that is normal. The line level can be the range of voltage, and load. In reference it's addressed by load, so you can match components. Headphone load, MIC load, guitar load, etc.. The voltage coming into the amp (powered speakers) should be the main control for volume.

In particular the peak voltage from the different cartridges (up to 10mv vs nominal 2mv) used to vary considerably, but one does not normally see the same voltage going into the inputs.

some old receivers specs;
Power amp in: 775 mV/I00k ohms

Phono: 2 mV /47kΩ in parallel with 40 pf
Aux, Tape monitor: 100 mV/25kΩ

Output level/impedance/recommended minimum load
impedance with rated input
Tape out: 100 mV/600 ohms/10kΩ
Preamp out: 1.0V /3.5k ohms/ 10kΩ
Maximum output: greater than 6V

In my usage, I preset preamp level via volume control before I switch source. In some places, I know FM will be quite loud and I decrease volume before switching. Or I know my phono is low voltage and will increase volume. Dubbing prerecorded material usually requires level adjustment because the source voltage varies so much - 'specially with albums.

My XP and Vista sometimes max all my windows mixer controls, so I am often blown away with distorting voltages.

[P.P.T.]

I don't mean to be argumentative, but I don't see why you would do that instead of using the tape/line out. Specially considering the very real possibility of distortion. Distorttion that may be extreme, or worse, subtle and not noticed until possibly later when it may be too late.

[garww]

Distortion from what ?

The level out from his EMU 404 is;
Level (auto detect):

- Professional: +12dBV max (balanced)
- Consumer: +6dBV max (unbalanced)

[P.P.T.]

Distortion caused by the volume control on the receiver being too high and overloading the inputs of the active monitors.

[garww]

OMG !! Alert the press !!

[spaceonthebass]

Can't add much to this discussion as I don't know much about the subject.

But wouldn't I be able to control and/or prevent that distortion going into the monitors with the volume control?

[garww]

Originally Posted by spaceonthebass

Can't add much to this discussion as I don't know much about the subject.

But wouldn't I be able to control and/or prevent that distortion going into the monitors with the volume control?

It's a concern, no doubt. But if the 404 can output zero to 6v-12v, you probably would have noticed problems or found a way to work with it. I can't find input specs on the tascam, but maybe the specs are in the manual.

the preamp is your gain control. One tape deck I have only has the headphone out and I have to set the gain on the receiver to 12 o,clock to get above background level. It's a four channel, but one front out put has a cracked trace on the circuit board. The outs are adjustable both front and rear, but I can't use them unless I record everything on the rear channels,

With other sources, that setting is rattling the windows at 1 watt.

[garww]

As far as actual blowing things up, I was the one who wrote up the warranty claims on KID FRIED amplifiers and speakers. Yes, the gain can be set too high. The drivers, themselves, can usually take high amounts of power if it's clean and not continuous tone. Driving the amp to distortion is what usually fries the drivers and the power transistors.

[spaceonthebass]

From the Tascam Manual:

Input impedance 10K ohms
input level + 11 dBu full power output variable from -13dB to +10dB

I trascribed it exactly as it is on the manual but I don't have a clue if that information helps or not

[garww]

Originally Posted by spaceonthebass

From the Tascam Manual:

Input impedance 10K ohms
input level + 11 dBu full power output variable from -13dB to +10dB

I trascribed it exactly as it is on the manual but I don't have a clue if that information helps or not

I think that spec is run of mill the standard.