|   need to cut current (i think)...how to do it? | kent mitchell
Dec 28, 2001 10:26 PM | | I'm a novice so bear with me. I bought an old boombox that has tape decks and radio built in, but also acts as a stereo receiver for my record player and my cd player. here is the problem. records play fine...great sound etc..., cd's play like crap. I think the current/watts (terminology?) is too strong because the decibel level is constantly at peak position and makes it all junky sounding. i guess this is because the sony cd changer is more modern. what can i buy to cut the current down and fix this problem? is this an okay thing to do? what should i get and where can i get it? thanks so much...... |
| re: need to cut current (i think)...how to do it? | PJ
Dec 29, 2001 3:01 AM | | Are you plugging the CD into a phono input, or a normal line level input. If its a phono, you are more than likely clipping the preamp, not to mention the EQing of the phono stage changing the sound. |
| re: need to cut current (i think)...how to do it? | kent mitchell
Dec 29, 2001 7:34 AM | | it has a phono input and a direct line out. but the direct line out inputs seem to be screwed. when i plug the cd changer into it the sound is muffled. no idea why that is happening. so i plugged into the phono output and it works great except for the problem i already mentioned. so really it doesn't work great..but it works. loud, etc...too loud. any suggestions? |
| Didn't you even read the responses to this on the other boards? | Markw*
Dec 29, 2001 10:21 AM | | The problem with the phono input was covered on one of them at least and the "direct line out" is an output, not an input. Trying to use an output as an input can cause many strange things, muffled sound among them. Exactly what is it labeled? |
| I'm not PJ, but..... | waVeman
Dec 29, 2001 10:49 AM | | The cartridge in your turntable can only generate a tiny amount of power, so unlike tape decks or CD players, a very sensitive pre-amplifier is required in the receiver (or boombox in your case) to boost it up enough to where the "regular" pre-amplifier in the receiver can use it.
So, when you plug a component that has a "normal" amount of output power into that phono input (your CD player), either the turntable pre-amplifier (or <u>phono pre-amp</u>, as it is more commonly known) or the receiver's "regular" pre-amp is being overloaded: the result is that nasty/fuzzy/distorted sound you hear.
(In addition, the phono pre-amp also includes a special equalizer circuit made just for turntable cartridges--it's job is to boost the lows and cut back the highs. This makes the sound even worse with non-turntable sources.)
As far as cutting back the power from the CD player's outputs, I'm not sure how to do it without messing with the sound quality.
And DO NOT use the "direct out" on the boombox with the CD player's outputs! You'll have two electrical "outs" fighting each other and this could damage both units. |
| Build this...and all you problems will be solved.. | PJ
Dec 29, 2001 7:11 PM | | http://sound.westhost.com/project80.htm |
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