Fixed and variable outputs on CD palyer

acmf74
acmf74 Posts: 937
edited February 2010 in Electronics
I recently inherited a CD player with two outputs. One is fixed and the other variable? Can someone tell me the difference between the two?
Post edited by acmf74 on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited February 2010
    Sure:

    1. One is fixed.
    2. One is variable.

    Seriously. The variable has variable output from a potentiometer of some sort.
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited February 2010
    Using the "fixed" you need to use a preamp or AVR. Preamp or AVR controls volume.

    Using the "variable" you can bypass a preamp and go directly to the amp and use the cd player to control volume.
    Sunfire TGP, Sunfire Cinema Grand, Sunfire 300~2 (2), Sunfire True Sub (2),Carver ALS Platinum, Carver AL III, TFM-55, C-19, C-9, TX-8, SDA-490t, SDA-390t
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited February 2010
    These guys can't even do English.

    Either the remote or a "Volume" knob on the cd player controls the amount of output coming out of the "variable" jacks.

    If you didn't get the remote, and you don't see a knob ........ go Fixed.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited February 2010
    there is something to be said by running your CD players variable outputs straight into the back of a amp.. and controlling the volume with the remote from the CD player. pure signal, no pre amp to add anything to the sound.

    i suggest to anyone with a CDP with variable outputs to give it a try some time. I wish all CDP's had variable outputs.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited February 2010
    danger boy wrote: »

    i suggest to anyone with a CDP with variable outputs to give it a try some time. I wish all CDP's had variable outputs.

    Al is right. I did just that with my Shanling and it rocked.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 34,922
    edited February 2010
    the golden ear guys will say that the variable-level outputs introduce noise/distorion/nonlinearity/free quarks/etc. into the signal path. BFD; it adds tons of convenience; I love it! I use the variable outputs on my CDP in the living room. It comes in awfully handy with the very-high sensitivity speakers (Altecs) in there.

    I was quite surprised to find out that the variable-level function on the CDP also works via an outboard DAC when I added one. This makes no sense to me, truth be told -- but again it is awfully handy and if there's sonic degradation... I guess my system isn't resolving enough to reveal it :-)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter