How to play air FM/AM radio stations with Pioneer SR-303 Reverb

[Sliglebone]

Hello,

I'm trying to figure out if its possible to listen to air FM/AM radio stations with my Marantz 2285b, and have the digital reverb unit (a Pioneer SR-303 Reverberation Amplifier) process the signal. I've had success in having the reverb unit's lights and effects work when playing a CD player through it via the AUX port on the Marantz, however I can't seem to get it to work on FM/AM radio.
In order to try to push FM/AM radio through the reverb unit, I connected the Pre-Out from the Marantz to the Input on the reverb unit, and then connected the Main-In on the Marantz to the Output on the reverb unit. I then can play a radio station, however the reverb effects don't seem to work on the sound, and the reverb unit strobe/light display doesn't light up. However, I do notice when I flip the Reverb effect off and on (not the reverb unit's power button, but rather the on/off for the reverb effect), that the volume or gain seems to attenuate higher and lower by some DB amount. I think this is because of the setting of the Attenuator button on the back of the reverb unit. I've turned the Attenuator button on and off, and in either position there always seems to be a difference in gain/volume when I turn on/off the reverb effect button. An interesting side effect of running the radio through the digital reverb unit, is that some of the static in the station signal appears to have been cleaned up AND the range I can turn the tuner dial and hold a clear signal on one station seems to be greatly expanded (e.g. I can have the FM tuning sensor needle go way further left or right of center without the signal breaking up).

My question is, why does the reverb unit seem to only work with a CD player? Is it because the Pioneer SR-303 will only process a digital signal? From what I understand, it is meant to work when hooked up to TAPE as well. My general thinking with using the Main-In/Pre-Out connections on the Marantz was that ALL sound passing through the Marantz could get treated by the reverb unit.
Also, why does the reverb unit seem to create better range on the dial for receiving a cleaner signal?

Any thoughts?

 

[century tek]

Leave the "main-in" / "pre-out" jacks alone. The reason it doesn't seem to be working here is because this input/output is not line level and is not intended for a reverb. You would have had to turn up the volume quite loud just to get the reverb to register anything.

The reverb connects to the tape loop just like a tape deck. Tape 1:
Main out on reverb goes to "play" or "in" on tape 1.
Main in on reverb connects to "rec" or "out" on tape 1.

Put your selector switch to AM or FM and push the tape monitor 1 button. Voila! When working properly, the display has a cool time tunnel effect.

I also own a 303. They are all made to work off the tape loops.

 

[Sliglebone]

Leave the "main-in" / "pre-out" jacks alone. The reason it doesn't seem to be working here is because this input/output is not line level and is not intended for a reverb. You would have had to turn up the volume quite loud just to get the reverb to register anything.

The reverb connects to the tape loop just like a tape deck. Tape 1:
Main out on reverb goes to "play" or "in" on tape 1.
Main in on reverb connects to "rec" or "out" on tape 1.

Put your selector switch to AM or FM and push the tape monitor 1 button. Voila! When working properly, the display has a cool time tunnel effect.

I also own a 303. They are all made to work off the tape loops.

Thanks for the tip! I'll try the Tape loop set up.

Interestingly, when I chose to try using the Pre-Out/Main-In jacks, I was following instructions from a PDF of the Pioneer SR-303 manual. The manual suggested that you could use the Tape Loop set up you mentioned, or use the Pre-Out/Main-In jacks. I'm wondering why they recommended using the Pre-out/Main-In.

Another question regarding the Pioneer SR-303. I bought this used, and noticed that the Tape Monitor button on it doesn't stay pushed in when I depress it. Is that meant to lock in when you push it? I'm thinking the button/latch mechanism is broken or stuck, but wasn't sure if that button was just intended to be pressed as more or less a 'spot check' button, only in effect when you hold it down.

 

[century tek]

LOL, that is sooooo funny! Mine wouldn't stay pushed in either. The pin that holds it in was rattling around inside of the chassis when I took the top off. I also have a Pioneer RG-2 dynamic processor in which it's main in/out push button is also broken. I have to use a tooth pick bent up and shoved into the crack to get it to work. I suppose I could fix it someday. I have some spares.

The tape monitor button is supposed to stay in when pushed. It's supposed to work like all the other push buttons on your Marantz. When using the reverb unit, its built in tape monitor function is so you can still use a cassette deck especially with other amps and receivers which only have one tape loop or one tape monitor. This way when you are using something else that takes up the tape loop, you can still use a tape deck as the reverb unit supplies the extra missing tape input.

If a tape deck is connected to the reverb unit, to listen to it, you would push the tape monitor button on it just like you would on your Marantz if you didn't have the reverb unit.

I use a mixer and have a big stereo system so my tape monitor on my reverb unit never gets used. Of course I have all the bells and whistles like reverb, expander processor, EQ, dual decks both cassette and reel, dual turntables, computer, you get the idea.

 

[Sliglebone]

So I hooked it up through the tape loop and it works fantastic. In order for the Reverb effect to kick in, I need to have the Tape 1 selector set on the receiver. If I un-select Tape 1 selector, the radio still plays and the reverb unit's cool light display lights up, but no reverb effect (as expected I guess).

If someone could let me know about expected behavior of the Tape Monitor button on the Pioneer SR-303 unit. Right now that button does't stay pushed in when I depress it... not sure if it's meant to be that way, or if the button/latch mechanism isn't working.

 

[century tek]

So I hooked it up through the tape loop and it works fantastic. In order for the Reverb effect to kick in, I need to have the Tape 1 selector set on the receiver. If I un-select Tape 1 selector, the radio still plays and the reverb unit's cool light display lights up, but no reverb effect (as expected I guess).

That is exactly how it is all supposed to work and is normal! When the tape monitor on the Marantz is out, so is the reverb except that it is still receiving a signal from the tape (rec) out jacks. A tape deck in the record mode will do the same thing as showing the meters moving whether the tape monitor is in or out. This is how they are all supposed to work.

If someone could let me know about expected behavior of the Tape Monitor button on the Pioneer SR-303 unit. Right now that button does't stay pushed in when I depress it... not sure if it's meant to be that way, or if the button/latch mechanism isn't working.

I just told you above. They are supposed to stay in when pushed. It is just broken! Soon as other people see this and chime in, they will also verify this.

 

[Sliglebone]

That is exactly how it all is supposed to work and is normal! When the tape monitor on the Marantz is out, so is the reverb except that it is still receiving a signal from the tape (rec) out jacks. A tape deck in the record mode will do the same thing as showing the meters moving whether the tape monitor is in or out. This is how they are all supposed to work.



I just told you above. They are supposed to stay in when pushed. It is just broken!

I guess for my purposes I won't need the Tape Monitor button on the Reverb unit as I don't plan on hooking up a tape deck. My ideal is to have a lean but rich set up with the Marantz 2285b, the Pioneer SR-303 Reberb Amp and then eventually a Cambridge Audio 851N (network player & DAC & bluetooth) hooked up to a library of music burned from CD. Got rid of my cassette tapes and LP years ago, for better or worse. I do have a nice old TEAC X-1000R reel-to-reel tape player I inherited from my father... but haven't hooked it up yet. Maybe once I get that unit in the mix, I'll have to see about fixing the Tape Monitor button, or just buying an entire new Reverb unit. I'm kinda bummed because I was eyeing a replacement Tape Monitor button mechanism on Ebay for this exact Pioneer reverb unit, but I was lazy and it was sold off just a few days ago...

 

[70's Rockfan]

So I hooked it up through the tape loop and it works fantastic. In order for the Reverb effect to kick in, I need to have the Tape 1 selector set on the receiver. If I un-select Tape 1 selector, the radio still plays and the reverb unit's cool light display lights up, but no reverb effect (as expected I guess).

If someone could let me know about expected behavior of the Tape Monitor button on the Pioneer SR-303 unit. Right now that button does't stay pushed in when I depress it... not sure if it's meant to be that way, or if the button/latch mechanism isn't working.

It should stay in. It is a common problem on the Pioneer SR and RG units.
parts are available. the part number is ASG-214

 

[century tek]

Look at it this way: If you ever need an extra input, the tape input on the reverb makes a great spare input for an ipod, phone, or any other line level device............of course when or if you get the button fixed.

 

[Sliglebone]

It should stay in. It is a common problem on the Pioneer SR and RG units.
parts are available. the part number is ASG-214

Awesome! Thanks for that info. I just found one on ebay for way cheaper than the other one I was tracking. Just bought it. Now I'll just need to pay a stupid amount of money to have someone install it. Probably will cost more than I paid for the unit.

 

[century tek]

Where are you?

 

[Sliglebone]

Where are you?

Living in Western MA. Not too many radio stations out here, but it's nice to get some college stations and NPR's Jazz Safari and Jazz A La Mode over the air.