Hooking up CD through tape input

I can't find a manual for the STA-19, but the STA-20 manual indicates that the CD/tape input is a high-level input -- as you would expect it to be.

The guy is probably an idiot who doesn't understand he needs a cable with RCAs on one end, and an 1/8" stereo jack on the other.

No, he said that the output from the CD player was not strong enough for the tape input.......something like the output of a tape player is

No, he said that the output from the CD player was not strong enough for the tape input.......something like the output of a tape player is

The output of a CD player is standard 'line level', so should be completely compatible with any tape equipment. I've been repairing this stuff for a living for more years than I care to remember, and I don't think that I've ever come across any combination of CD output and tape input, that will not match one another for level. The guy is doing something wrong ...

Arfa

He might not know the difference between the tape input and tape output. Tell him to:

1. Turn the input selector switch to tape.
2. Plug the cable into the tape *INPUT* jacks.
3. If that doesn't work, try one of the other inputs, such as AUX.

Is he old? At one time some amps could be connected to the head on a tape deck - so that input had high gain and equalization. A bit like a pickup input. But these days an input labelled tape is just an ordinary line input and likely identical to one labelled CD.

1. Give him his money back. In the end, no matter what you say, it's going to be the best solution. Far better than trying to convince him you are right, even though IMHO you are.
2. You can find a descripton of the unit on the lower left corner of page 15 of the 1988 catalog.
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I infer from what it says that it has a line level input for tape. It says "Function switch for FM Auto, AM, phono and tape. IMHO that implies a LINE LEVEL input which can be used for a tape player or CD player.

In order to use it, he has to connect the LINE LEVEL output of the CD player to the TAPE IN. There may be a TAPE OUT on the back, he should ignore it. Then he should set the function switch to TAPE and be able to hear what he wants.

Looking at the picture, there is a TAPE IN jack on the front panel over the PHONES jack, he should use that. There is no picture of the back in the catalog, nor does Radio Shack have an online manual.

If he does not hear anything, he should try the FM or AM settings with an appropriate antenna. If he hears nothing, then his setup is probably wrong.

If he only has an earphone jack on the CD player, he is trying to force it to do something it was not designed to do. He can do it by setting the volume control on the Radio Shack unit to a comfortable level using the AM or FM tuner, set the CD player to minimum volume and play a CD, then he should adjust the volume control on the CD player until he hears what he wants.

Then he should mark the spot on the volume control and remember to put it back there BEFORE he tries to use it with the amp.

Geoff.

I would not return the guy's money. He'll probably give you negative feedback anyway.

By the way... On at least two occasions where eBay sellers returned my money because the product was defective or mis-described, I left positive feedback stating that I was pleased with the transaction, because I'd been treated well. Unless you expect a similar reaction from this guy, don't return his money.

Yea, he's plugging into the low impedence headphones jack, as the cheap portable chinese made CD player he has doesn't have line out.

The radio/receiver would make no difference at all. But he might try the phono input that may be a lower level input.

Or tell him to buy a real CD player?

Hold on a second, here.

Any "Walk-device" headphone jack should be able to put out at least half a volt, more than enough to drive just about any amplifier. It merely requires turning up the volume. A true line output isn't needed (though it would probably provide better sound).

Furthermore, the phono input on this receiver is for magnetic pickups. * The output of even a headphone jack will drive it into distortion -- not to mention having the signal's bass boosted and treble rolled off.

• The manual says that a turntable with a ceramic pickup should be plugged into CD/Tape.

IMHO a really bad thing to do. At best it will overload the phono input and produce distorted sound with too little trebble due to RIAA equlaization.

At worst it will burn it out, and then you won't be able to use it or sell it to someone else. :-(

Geoff.

all inputs except for a phonograph are line level or max 1VPP.

Hope not unless the pot is a discrete one and straight after the input. You'll get a great deal more than 1v P to P out of many CD players.

On 2/15/2010 3:08 AM Dave Plowman (News) spake thus:

Well, yeah, I remember that. Inputs were associated with their equalization schemes; phono (magnetic) inputs were RIAA, and tape head inputs were NAB equalized. I remember as a kid fooling around with a Viking tape deck that lacked any electronics; it was made to be plugged directly into an amplifier (or preamp).

I remember that deck -- and I remember Knight electronics that had a tape-head input. Tape-head inputs were not common.

I agree many will do the trick just fine, but I've found more than a few that just would not. Not sure why, either!

I don't think he'd damage it, most of these are well protected. Agreed, the sound may not be optimal but then again, maybe the guy will like the way it sounds?

On 2/15/2010 11:27 AM William Sommerwerck spake thus:

Yes; you could buy assembled Knight stuff or "Knight-Kits". I had their

I don't really give a s*it what players put out I was just stating the standard. You know what a standard is right?

Is there an output-level standard for consumer audio products (as there is for professional equipment)? The need for general compatibility keeps output levels within (probably) a 6dB range, but I know of no official standard.