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AUX inputs HI and LOW question

blhagstrom

blhagstrom

Mad Scientist, fixer.
Subscriber
Question: I have a Pioneer SX-34B. It has a pair of inputs labled AUX LO and AUX HI. The AUX LO is also labled Ceramic (phono, I know).

The schematic for the SX-34 shows the TAPE in running straight to the amp section. The AUX HI runs through some resistors and such and joins the AUX LOW line and then proceedes through 1/2 of the preamp tubes.

Based on the power of the FM tuner, I find the AUX LOW to be the best path for external connecting (CD). The Tape liine straight to amp is a weak path and running through the AUX HIGH makes the signal weak. I am just going by the volume control here. I have to crank the volume to 1/2 to match the FM at 1/4 or the input from AUX LOW.

What's up with this? From all the years with SS, I thought Tape IN, AUX, etc... were a common line level for anything other than phono. Were/are there components with much higher feed for the connections I'm seeing?
 
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Anyone?
Trying to learn about different line levels.
Like I said, I didn't know there were any different ones
 
OK, I don't have direct experience with your model but I'll take a crack at things.

Your Aux Hi inputs are for gear that produce higher levels of signal. This is the reason that you'd want some resistors in line to 'pad down' the signal before running it into the amp. The Aux Low, then, is for lower level signals and bypasses the resistors.

As for the ceramic phono carts, these old things were less expensive than Moving Magnet cartridges and were found on many turntables in the 50s on through the 70s. They produced sufficient signal voltage to _almost_ drive an amp's line-level inputs. They also didn't require the RIAA equalization found in MM phono preamps. This meant that a manufacturer could price his console, for instance, more competitively and trade off a bit of fidelity that was a characteristic of ceramic carts. For this reason, then, ceramic carts and turntables with them needed to be accomodated.

The Hi/Low Aux input allows for these on your gear. My Mac MX-110 has a similar setup.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

David
 
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