why does Fisher 400 distort when a digital recorder is plugged in?

[dereksee]

Hi all-

In my experiments of combining low tech with high tech, I have plugged a modern Zoom H2 digital recorder into my Fisher 400 receiver. When it's plugged in, the output drops and the sound distorts. This does not happen when I plug an analog tape deck in OR use the analog deck as a buffer between the receiver>H2. Any ideas about a simpler solution?

THANKS!
Derek

dereksdaily45.blogspot.com

 

[guiller]

Welcome to AK! How do you connect the recorder to the receiver? Does it have a line out connector or are you using the earplug outout? Did you try using another input (except the phono) in the receiver, like the aux or tuner ones ?

 

[FalconEddy]

Continue to use the tape deck as an intermediate buffer between the H2 and the Fisher 400.

The H2 only has one output, and it's an unswitched 1/8" stereo shared Line Out/Phones jack with a consumer output level (-10dBm). The phones rating is only 15mW @ 32 ohms.

I'm speculating that you're probably turning up the volume control all the way on the H2 (when connected to the Fisher 400) because the output from it is so low. If the H2 had a +4dBm switch (which it doesn't) you'd get a much higher signal at the Fisher 400's 'extra' input.

. . Falcon

 

[dereksee]

Thanks for the heads up, but this is when I plug the output from the receiver into the input of the audio recorder (not the other way around). The H2 recorder runs off of a "wall wart' power adaptor.

 

[Tom Bavis]

The record input on the digital recorder must be low impedance - not compatible with the tape out on the Fisher. You have to buffer it - simplest way would be a series 100K resistor per channel, but that might drop the signal level too much....

 

[FalconEddy]

Thanks for the heads up, but this is when I plug the output from the receiver into the input of the audio recorder (not the other way around). The H2 recorder runs off of a "wall wart' power adaptor.

Ok, now that you've given specifics about the connection direction. . . .I'd really like to help you, but you need to give me specifics about your issue. Otherwise, everything becomes pure speculation.

When you connect the tape out from the Fisher 400 to the input of the H2, WHERE does the volume drop? On the speakers connected to the Fisher 400, or at the Line Input on the H2?

Is it loud and distorted on the H2, or quiet and distorted on the H2?

Are you using a 1/8" TRS (tip-ring-sleeve) stereo mini phone male plug x two male phono jacks for the connection?

Note that the input impedance and input level on the H2 is the same as the output jack (10K+ and -10dBm)

. . Falcon

 

[dereksee]

Thanks, Falcon. I really appreciate it.

The volume drops and it distorts on the output to the speakers from the amp, and in turn it is quiet and distorted into the recorder/ recording being made. I connect with a cable that has a 1/8" tip/ring/sleeve connector on one side and two RCA's and the other end.

 

[FalconEddy]

Thanks, Falcon. I really appreciate it.

The volume drops and it distorts on the output to the speakers from the amp, and in turn it is quiet and distorted into the recorder/ recording being made. I connect with a cable that has a 1/8" tip/ring/sleeve connector on one side and two RCA's and the other end.

If the cable you're using to record from the amp to the H2 is the same cable you're using to record from the analog tape deck to the H2; and it only distorts when directly connected to the amp, you will need to continue to use the analog tape deck as a buffer.

Out of curiousity, have you tried only ONE plug connected at the amp from that stereo 'y' cable coming out of the amp to the H2 to see if it still distorts? I'm wondering if that cable appears to have resistance between the left and right channels to the amp when both sides are connected.

Also, I wouldn't suggest touching the H2 (when using the wall wart) and the metal amp chassis at the same time. . . just to be safe.

. . Falcon