Line level question...

[nsgn007]

I have a Maganvox Console that I connected a Reel 2 Reel to the aux input .... It plays fine but to get a decent room level sound it has to be cranked all the way up ... all other functions will blow you out of the room at full volume... I can't find the specs for the Aux input on the Magnavox, but I assume it is line level as is the Panasonic tape is for the output... yet only half volume... do I need a line booster to bring the output up ?
Thanks

 

[Pyrrho]

You don't tell us model numbers, so I don't know what features each thing has, but does the tape deck have an output level control? If so, you might want to turn it up.

 

[Kodaline]

Please do the following:
1. Turn the master volume on the Magnavox down to something normal!
2. With power off, plug something else into the aux.
3. Power up and play the something else. Same low volume or normal?

If normal, please check R2R deck for output knobs like Pyrrho says. Most output knobs simply cut volume, so 100% is like not having a knob. Ideally, all sources should be about the same volume. I set the output knobs on tuners, cassette decks, R2R decks, 8 track decks, to match the volume the record players make on the phono sources.

Modern CD players play hot; this is fairly common, so they will be a bit louder, like 10%, than your other sources for a given volume.

Please give make and model of R2R deck.

 

[nsgn007]

Magnavox astro-sonic 2st690 from 64... R2R is a panasonic RS766US same machine magnavox used in their 67/ 68 model years, everything I plug into the aux is low maybe they had different input specs back in 64?

 

[Pyrrho]

everything I plug into the aux is low

Okay, so my initial thought about an output level control on the tape deck is probably not going to help.

maybe they had different input specs back in 64?

That does not fit with my experience with old units. I had an old mono Magnavox tube console (so probably older than yours, I think from the 1950's, but I don't remember, as I had it over 40 years ago) with an auxiliary input that was pretty much like any other auxiliary input (I did use it), so if I had to make a guess, I would guess that there is a problem with your unit.

Pretty much always the first thing to do is to clean the switch, in case it is not making good contact anymore. I would try that, though I am not optimistic about it fixing your problem.

Finding a service manual for your unit may be difficult, though I have not looked for it to be sure.

But, if it sounds good other than being low, you could use a line level booster, as you originally suggest yourself, rather than trying to figure out what is going on with that input. After cleaning the switch, if you still have the problem, I would probably just buy a line level booster, if, as you say, it otherwise sounds good.