Since using the line in on my Sony cfd-770 I’ve had to take a second look in reevaluating my “holy grail” rankings. Previously the Panasonic dt680 held top honors for me: it had the power, the warmth, the deep bass. But now after using the line in, the Sony has handily out done the 680. The bass is mind blowing for a boombox via the line-in. So here’s my challenge for you guys, look at your collection, use the mic line-in as an aux-in and see if you too will have to reevaluate your “holy grails”. Is there a “hidden beast” that you never knew you had.
Will using the mic line-in make you re-evaluate your “holy grails”? Any other “hidden beasts” out there?
- Thread starter Bassboost432
- Start date
goodman
Member (SA)
He means mic mixing jack.
I have also used it in some boxes when I have connected players with a very low output level.
Usually this input is mono and is frequency limited both from low and high frequencies.
Therefore, the sound from it is a compromise.
It is best to use the line input (when there is one) with proper level.
Then the sound will be of good quality.
Yes usually that’s the case. But not always. Except for the fact that it’s mono, the sound actually sounds better and more powerful at least on the dt680 and DEFINITELY on the Sony.
How would I turn the mic jack input into a proper stereo line in. Is it an extensive job or fairly easy? Thx.
caution
Member (SA)
You can't judge mic input performance on all blasters from your one experience. Besides the different gain and impedance requirements for line, mic, phono, tape and radio, there are also differences between manufacturers on how these are implemented. In your case, you have a "mix" mic input, which patches into the tape deck preamp, which is going to make it sound different than a straight-up mic input.
Correct you can’t. Which is why the Sony surprised me with how much power and bass it has in reserve using the mic line in. There is something going on here with the Sony that can clearly be heard in the more powerful sound that i never knew this Sony had. That’s why i started this post, I’m curious what other “hidden beasts” are out there that I don’t know about. I invite anyone with a Sony CFD 770 to see / HEAR for themselves the beast that gets unleashed via the mic line-in.
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An audio amplifiers whole purpose in life is to amplify an input signal to it's output. Normally, sub circuits exists within a boombox to amplify or attenuate input signals so that they are all fairly close by the time they get to the function switch, which is then passed off to the amplifier. If you use a different input where the device is expecting a certain input level, and for a mic, that level may be below normal line-level signal levels, so the system is designed to amplify that (lower) input signal to match the normal line-in level for that system. So the extra prowess you are experiencing could basically just be the system amplifying the input signal to a higher level making the system seem more powerful.
That’s a possible explanation. Honestly I can’t say for sure. All I do know is that there is some untapped potential in this Sony. And I would caution anyone who tries it to be careful because that “extra prowess” WILL blow the speakers. Like I said, this is a “hidden beast”. The bass using the mic line-in is so much more powerful than standard. Smooth clean deep bass.
Every stereo will have greater output if you increase the input level. If you increase it beyond the sets design, yes, then you can blow speakers, blow the amps, etc. I wouldn’t exactly call that hidden potential. You’re just overdriving the system beyond its intended design parameters.
Yes. Im aware of that. But I don’t think that’s what’s happening with the sony. In sunny think the so is being overdriven at all. Unless you have one to hear for yourself, talking about this in abstentia of actually hearing the difference doesn’t do it justice. I’m upgrading the speakers on mine and report back the results. I think this amplifier is more powerful than what initially seems far more capable than the speakers that came with it.
caution
Member (SA)
I think this is true most of the time, the mic input is just patched into the line or tape preamp with a couple safety components like choke or DC blocking cap. Mix mic implementations vary more - in the case here, Sony developed their own EQ preamp chip for the tape deck that has a single input for a mixing mic, so it wouldn't be possible to convert to a stereo input.
@Bassboost432, read this article by Shure, a well respected reliable source regarding Mic level vs line level inputs. Because the mic levels are supposed to be minuscule in comparison to normal line level signals, that part of the circuit is first amplified like I said before. But instead of using mic input with a mic, you’re using it as an aux-in source with line level signals. No wonder you’re getting explosive sound using in that manner. Regardless, it sounds like you’re convinced yourself that Sony wasn’t smart enough to figure out this awesome feature or maybe they deliberately detuned the amp engine for who knows what reason. My take? That’s the wrong input to use as an aux-in source and you are overdriving the system and very few members would give up stereo sound so they can have a louder monophonic sound .
www.shure.com
What's the Difference Between Line and Mic Levels?
An overview of line-level and mic-level signals, their differences, and how to avoid audio problems by matching the right device to the appropriate input.
I’ll read it. Thx. I will say that I am aware that the mic line-in acts as a pre-amp and boosts the response. My dt680 does that that too as I’m sure most if not all mic line-ins do. The point that I hope readers here understand is that the Sony behaves differently than these other boxes I’ve tested. The improvement in power and bass is phenomenal. And I wish there was a way to have the cd, tape, and tuner play with that same improvement albeit in stereo. This box does not have an aux line in so I have to use the mic line-in to play my phone. That said, other than the fact that it’s mono and not stereo, the improvement in performance can not be ignored and is worth exploring. But enough with my words, I invite anyone who has a Sony CFD 770 to hear it for themselves. It really is extremely impressive.@Bassboost432, read this article by Shure, a well respected reliable source regarding Mic level vs line level inputs. Because the mic levels are supposed to be minuscule in comparison to normal line level signals, that part of the circuit is first amplified like I said before. But instead of using mic input with a mic, you’re using it as an aux-in source with line level signals. No wonder you’re getting explosive sound using in that manner. Regardless, it sounds like you’re convinced yourself that Sony wasn’t smart enough to figure out this awesome feature or maybe they deliberately detuned the amp engine for who knows what reason. My take? That’s the wrong input to use as an aux-in source and you are overdriving the system and very few members would give up stereo sound so they can have a louder monophonic sound .
What's the Difference Between Line and Mic Levels?
An overview of line-level and mic-level signals, their differences, and how to avoid audio problems by matching the right device to the appropriate input.
Darn! I was hoping there was a way. Thx fir the explanation. Greatly appreciated!!
goodman
Member (SA)
Yes, an interesting discussion has arisen here.
I agree that different manufacturers have their own technical implementations.
Therefore, comparison is difficult and subjective.
I think that it is very important what the sound settings of the player or phone are.
If there is amplified bass and treble, the EQ is V-shaped, then this will be immediately felt.
In such situations, I put the EQ on flat and adjust the output level
to avoid sound distortion and overloading the amplifier of the bombox.
I agree that different manufacturers have their own technical implementations.
Therefore, comparison is difficult and subjective.
I think that it is very important what the sound settings of the player or phone are.
If there is amplified bass and treble, the EQ is V-shaped, then this will be immediately felt.
In such situations, I put the EQ on flat and adjust the output level
to avoid sound distortion and overloading the amplifier of the bombox.
In the case of the Sony cfd770, I firmly believe that any distortion is due to the speakers not being equipped to handle the true power of the amplifier. If I were to hypothesize on this, I would predict that the amp Sony put in this boombox is far more capable and more powerful than what it initially seems. I would love for someone who has taken this specific model apart to be able to confirm it. But just based on my observations, this Sony has more in it than advertised. Again this is just my hunch.