MCD 7005 connected to MAC 1700 HELP

[St. Pierre]

Have 3 technical question for you guys. I have a MAC 1700 paired up with a MCD 7005. According to the MCD 7005 specs, the line output is 2.7v. The MCD 7005 has both fixed output and variable output as well. Question 1 - Is it safe to connect this CD player (2.7v line output) to the MAC 1700 AUX input without damaging the receiver? Question 2 - Does a variable (volume controlled) output change the line output voltage when adjusted? Question 3 - Which output should be used (fixed or variable) when connecting to a vintage receiver?

Thank you for your help.

 

[damacman]

Connect it either way - no worries.

 

[CruzBay]

Connect it either way - no worries.

Per your question 2; I've got an MCD 7007 and use the variable out with any of my preamps as it allows me to adjust the volume from my seat. I don't have anything that's remotely controlled yet.

So: yes, it adjusts the output of the player.

 

[seacliffe301]

My MCD7000 is connected to my 1700 via the fixed outputs, although the variable would be just fine.

 

[twiiii]

I had a MCD 7005 for close to 23 years and it worked perfectly with the fixed out put. I think over load on a 17 was around 8 to 10 volts. The thing about digital is when they say the max is the max, thats it. Its not like analog where you can have very high instantaneous peaks from live uncompressed tapes and direct to disc LP's. As I remember 0 db from a professional Ampex is +8db or about 1.8 volts and the decks are capable of + 24 db without clipping. Or bout 14 volts. I never heard a Mac of any kind clip with my professional Ampexs plugged in. I'm mot saying my tapes were that hot but the ballistics of the old meters on 300's and 351's were so slow that 18 db peaks easily got past the VU meters on the Ampex electronics. Thats why if you were really being serious about making a master tape you did it at 30 ips before High out put low noise tape came along.

 

[St. Pierre]

The fixed output volume on the 7005 via AUX input is equal to the tuner and phono sections. The variable output volume, when turned all the way up, is slightly quieter than the tuner and phono section volume. I'm going to go with the fixed output. Thank you for all your help and input.

 

[Dr. Ears]

The short answer to question number 3 is go with the variable outputs or read on as to what worked for me.
It might be an issue with my 1700, but it sounds cleaner through the Tape Inputs versus the Aux Inputs.
In both cases, I found my stand alone Audio-gd DAC, combined with the 1700's preamp produced too much gain, I was going to abandon my MAC 1700, when as a last try, I inserted the Japanese version of the
FX Audio (model number FX Audio 01J) in between my DAC and the Tape Inputs.
The Japanese version adds a critical switch, which enables you to toggle between zero gain and minus 6 db's of gain.
The minus 6 db's setting did the trick, I now love the hybrid sound of the MAC 1700 with the FX Audio up front.
Your tube choice for the FX Audio is very important, after rolling in a couple of dozen NOS tubes, the 6AK5's beat all other varieties, fortunately my local surplus electronics store allows you to return tubes for up to 30 days as long as you don't abuse the privilege. It takes me less than 5 minutes to A / B compare any two audio components and after trying everything, which they had, I settled on a couple pairs of RCA 6AK5's with silver (nickel) plates and large "D"getters.
Then I asked my long term vacuum tube dealer, which 6AK5 he thought was best, he sent me a pair of Ericsson 5591's with gold pins, which had nearly the identical construction of the RCA's, except for the gold pins.
The Ericsson's were a little pricey, but with only 2 tubes in my system, not counting the tubed tuner, I splurged because I love every Ericsson, which I have heard and with the minus 6 db's setting the tubes will probably out live me!