Using tape in/out?

grimmace19
grimmace19 Posts: 1,429
edited June 2011 in Electronics
Alright, not getting many answers in my other thread so I'm going to be "that guy" who starts another in order to get more feedback.

As I'm trying to power my outdoor speakers a crutchfield support person said that I could run a rca-headphone cable from my ipod into the Tape IN on the back of my onkyo 505. Then, run interconnects from the Tape OUT to a 2 channel amp.

Would this work?
Post edited by grimmace19 on
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,598
    edited June 2011
    Hello,
    The problem is that the "tape out" is before the receiver's volume control. This means that any signal leaving this output isn't going to be controlled by the volume control. As long as the external power amp has level controls you'll be fine. And, the iPod will be able to adjust the signal level coming into the "tape in" so volume changes can be done with it if the amp doesn't.
    Cheers, Ken
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  • jim 249
    jim 249 Posts: 347
    edited June 2011
    What are you trying to accomplish here with this setup?
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  • grimmace19
    grimmace19 Posts: 1,429
    edited June 2011
    Jim, I have the atrium garden speaker set with the subwoofer. The sub is a dual voice coil and to hook it up you need to run a 2nd set of wires for the left and right channels into it. Because of this (from what I'm told) this turns the load being drawn from my receiver into 4 ohms. The 4 ohm load is being drawn from the B section of the receiver and is making things way too hot and I'm afraid i'll blow the receiver or speakers if I don't make a change.

    So, from what Ken said, if I went this route would I keep the ipod plugged into CD in like I have right now.. then run RCAs from the tape out on the receiver into the amp? and all should work?
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,598
    edited June 2011
    A couple of things to consider. First when you connect the Atrium woofer to the B speaker connections the load seen by the receiver isn't changed. This is because the Atrium satellites contain a high pass filter and the Atrium woofer has a low pass filter. The satellites and woofer don't play the same frequency spectrum, their filters keep them isolated. Think of a regular three-way tower type speaker that has bi-wire capability. If the upper terminals were connected to the A receiver connections and the lower terminals to the B you would have the same arrangement as the separate satellites and woofer. The impedance remains the same, bi-wiring or not, the internal crossover (low pass and high pass filters) keep the sections of the speaker isolated.
    In your case, why not consider using the amplifier to drive both the satellites and the woofer? The problem is that your receiver doesn't have line level outputs, correct? If so, the tape out can be used however there won't be any way to change the volume, since the tape out signal isn't effected by the receiver's volume control. This is done so people could make a tape copy without needing to adjust the volume. The tape recorder was always going to get a signal no matter where the volume control was set. As long as the source you are playing has its own level adjustment, iPod for example, you can use it to adjust the overall playing level.
    I hope this helps.
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  • grimmace19
    grimmace19 Posts: 1,429
    edited June 2011
    Ken, that's a great help. However I think I must have worded something wrong based on your interpretations of how I have things wired. The receiver has 2 owm3's and a cs1 hooked up on the A section for indoor use and therefore the sub and satellites are all hooked up to the L and R on B only. I plan to use the same wiring technique for the outdoor speakers only if I get an amplifier.

    I want to keep the receiver in play because it allows me to hook up HDMI from my direct tv box and blu ray player on my alternative setup. At this point, I think I will just suck it up and get a pre to go with a decent amp.

    I think the tape route would be a little risky if you have to control volume from the ipod. If I weren't paying attention or the wife doesn't listen it would only be a matter of time before it got plugged in with the volume all the way up and I'd have a meltdown on my hands.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,598
    edited June 2011
    Ah, now I understand. I agree the correct way is with a right and left line level outputs. The tape out connection is always going to have the potential for overdriving the amp.
    Cheers, Ken
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