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#1
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Low sound output from RCA audio cables
"TVeblen" wrote in message
I am using a 5m audio cable (Radio Shack Monster Gold) to connect a TV and/or Media Player to an old Carver receiver in another room. The volume of the output is very low. I must turn the volume on the receiver up to 7 or 8 to get the same sound level that I would get with any other audio device at a setting of 2 or 3. It doesn't matter if the source device is switched or if I use an alternate line in port (that works well with another device/cable). Is 5m too long for an audio cable? Absolutely not. Or is it just a bad cable? Perhaps. Or, a bad receiver. |
#2
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Low sound output from RCA audio cables
"TVeblen" wrote in message
. .. I am using a 5m audio cable (Radio Shack Monster Gold) to connect a TV and/or Media Player to an old Carver receiver in another room. The volume of the output is very low. I must turn the volume on the receiver up to 7 or 8 to get the same sound level that I would get with any other audio device at a setting of 2 or 3. It doesn't matter if the source device is switched or if I use an alternate line in port (that works well with another device/cable). Is 5m too long for an audio cable? Or is it just a bad cable? TIA It's unlikely to be a bad cable as normally, if the cable was bad, then you would get nothing out, not just quiet. Cables for audio are either short circuit or open circuit, either of which would give you no signal. I can't think off-hand of a mechanism that would produce an attenuation of what sounds like 20dB or so. Is the volume the same on left and right? The chances of a cable going bad on both channels in the same way are close to nil. As to 5 metres, it's not too long at all, I would only start to worry at 500 metres! The most likely thing is that the TV has a much lower output than your other devices. One thought:- Does your TV's volume control affect the level you're getting into the receiver? If so, then you have the answer. S. -- http://audiopages.googlepages.com |
#3
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Low sound output from RCA audio cables
I am using a 5m audio cable (Radio Shack Monster Gold) to connect a TV
and/or Media Player to an old Carver receiver in another room. The volume of the output is very low. I must turn the volume on the receiver up to 7 or 8 to get the same sound level that I would get with any other audio device at a setting of 2 or 3. It doesn't matter if the source device is switched or if I use an alternate line in port (that works well with another device/cable). Is 5m too long for an audio cable? Or is it just a bad cable? TIA |
#4
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Low sound output from RCA audio cables
TVeblen wrote:
I am using a 5m audio cable (Radio Shack Monster Gold) to connect a TV and/or Media Player to an old Carver receiver in another room. The volume of the output is very low. I must turn the volume on the receiver up to 7 or 8 to get the same sound level that I would get with any other audio device at a setting of 2 or 3. It doesn't matter if the source device is switched or if I use an alternate line in port (that works well with another device/cable). Is 5m too long for an audio cable? Or is it just a bad cable? TIA Like the others who have responded, I'd look to the particular cable--or to some other factor--as the cause. Long unbalanced cables have their issues, but outright signal attenuation is not among them. Problems that might commonly be associated with such would be frequency response (rolling off high frequencies), ground loops (injecting a 50 or 60 Hz 'hum' in the signal), or poor shielding issues (ditto). What do do? I'd start by subbing at least one cable (or merely unplugging one). If it's convenient, plug headphones into the Carver. Note the relative volume of a particular source. Unhook the Carver and place it next to the source, and hook up a short cable. Any difference? That will prove whether length alone is the issue...although will not prove anything about the particular cable(s) you have employed. My guess is that 'something else' is the problem. Either there is an incorrect setting (mute?) or there is an issue of some sort at the 'source', which you don't really name. From the OP, I'd guess it to be your computer.... jak |
#5
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Low sound output from RCA audio cables
"TVeblen" wrote in message . .. I am using a 5m audio cable (Radio Shack Monster Gold) to connect a TV and/or Media Player to an old Carver receiver in another room. The volume of the output is very low. I must turn the volume on the receiver up to 7 or 8 to get the same sound level that I would get with any other audio device at a setting of 2 or 3. It doesn't matter if the source device is switched or if I use an alternate line in port (that works well with another device/cable). Is 5m too long for an audio cable? Or is it just a bad cable? TIA You have esablished that it is not a problem with the Carver. Unless both cables (left and right) have the exact same problem (extremely unlikely) then it is not the cable. the only thing it can be then is low volume from your TV/Media player, whatever that is. Find a way to turn it up or live with the Carver volume control up higher. Gareth. |
#6
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Low sound output from RCA audio cables
"TVeblen" wrote in message
I am using a 5m audio cable (Radio Shack Monster Gold) to connect a TV and/or Media Player to an old Carver receiver in another room. The volume of the output is very low. I must turn the volume on the receiver up to 7 or 8 to get the same sound level that I would get with any other audio device at a setting of 2 or 3. It doesn't matter if the source device is switched or if I use an alternate line in port (that works well with another device/cable). First guess - swap cables. The cable is unlikely, but since you have several, swap one that works in with the sources that are problemations. If it works well with another device, then the problem is with the devices that aren't working. They may have internal volume controls that need to be set much higher. |
#7
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Low sound output from RCA audio cables
In article , "Arny Krueger" wrote:
"TVeblen" wrote in message om I am using a 5m audio cable (Radio Shack Monster Gold) to connect a TV and/or Media Player to an old Carver receiver in another room. The volume of the output is very low. I must turn the volume on the receiver up to 7 or 8 to get the same sound level that I would get with any other audio device at a setting of 2 or 3. It doesn't matter if the source device is switched or if I use an alternate line in port (that works well with another device/cable). First guess - swap cables. The cable is unlikely, but since you have several, swap one that works in with the sources that are problemations. If it works well with another device, then the problem is with the devices that aren't working. They may have internal volume controls that need to be set much higher. Its not clear if the volume of the TV is turned up or internal speakers disabled, or whether the TV has fixed or variable outputs. Does the media player have a volume control? greg |
#8
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Low sound output from RCA audio cables
"TVeblen" wrote...
I am using a 5m audio cable (Radio Shack Monster Gold) to connect a TV and/or Media Player What does "TV and/or Media Player" mean? Is that a TV? Is the output of the TV adjustable? What "Media Player"? Specifically. If you give us only generic descriptions, we can offer only generic help. to an old Carver receiver in another room. The volume of the output is very low. I must turn the volume on the receiver up to 7 or 8 to get the same sound level that I would get with any other audio device at a setting of 2 or 3. It doesn't matter if the source device is switched or if I use an alternate line in port (that works well with another device/cable). OK, good you have done the differential diagnosis on the inputs of the Carver receiver. Now do the same differential diagnosis on the output of the "TV and/or Media Player". Is it (them?) low into all inputs, or only the Carver? What happens if you use a different cable? Is 5m too long for an audio cable? No. 5m is nothing compared to some audio cable lengths. The only problem one would expect from a long unbalanced cable plugged into something in annother room is ground loops and/or interference pickup along the way (which would be heard as hum in addition to the audio signal.) Or is it just a bad cable? Seems unlikely. Prime suspect is the output from your "TV and/or Media Player". Cable is cable. If it is shorted or open, you will hear nothing. If it is poorly shielded or incorrectly selected you will hear hum or RFI in addition to the audio. Low signal level is almost never caused by the cable. Note also that because "cable is cable", premium brand- names and botique prices don't buy you anything but bragging rights and a thinner wallet. Buying Monster cable is like hiring the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to wash your car. Your car isn't any cleaner, but you paid a lot more and got some entertainment factor. |
#9
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Low sound output from RCA audio cables
"GregS" wrote in message
In article , "Arny Krueger" wrote: "TVeblen" wrote in message I am using a 5m audio cable (Radio Shack Monster Gold) to connect a TV and/or Media Player to an old Carver receiver in another room. The volume of the output is very low. I must turn the volume on the receiver up to 7 or 8 to get the same sound level that I would get with any other audio device at a setting of 2 or 3. It doesn't matter if the source device is switched or if I use an alternate line in port (that works well with another device/cable). First guess - swap cables. The cable is unlikely, but since you have several, swap one that works in with the sources that are problemations. If it works well with another device, then the problem is with the devices that aren't working. They may have internal volume controls that need to be set much higher. Its not clear if the volume of the TV is turned up or internal speakers disabled, or whether the TV has fixed or variable outputs. Does the media player have a volume control? Yes. |
#10
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Mass Reply - Low sound output from RCA audio cables
On Tue, 1 Apr 2008 20:06:23 -0500, "TVeblen"
wrote: (Now I realize I need to revisit the TV menus again). You may find that you must turn off the TV's speakers in order to "un-gray-out" the variable/fixed audio output option. It's pretty common. You want "fixed", of course. All good fortune, Chris Hornbeck "Genuine reputation is a much better guide than listening, I believe." Ian Iveson |
#11
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Mass Reply - Low sound output from RCA audio cables
"Arny Krueger" wrote in message ... "TVeblen" wrote in message I am using a 5m audio cable (Radio Shack Monster Gold) to connect a TV and/or Media Player to an old Carver receiver in another room. The volume of the output is very low. I must turn the volume on the receiver up to 7 or 8 to get the same sound level that I would get with any other audio device at a setting of 2 or 3. It doesn't matter if the source device is switched or if I use an alternate line in port (that works well with another device/cable). First guess - swap cables. The cable is unlikely, but since you have several, swap one that works in with the sources that are problemations. If it works well with another device, then the problem is with the devices that aren't working. They may have internal volume controls that need to be set much higher. thanks much to all for all the good information. The volume level is the same on both channels and the sound is good (when the volume is up). The TV is a 5 year old Sony KV-34XBR910 and the audio outputs are the ones you would use to hook up an AV receiver. I got the cables way back then to set up a "poor man's surround sound system" as a whim. I recall playing with every entry in the audio menu for the TV to see if there was an effect. I finally just assumed it was what it was and moved on to ther things. The new device is a D-Link DSM-520 network media player and I just hooked it up last week. It bridges media input from my computer network or the internet to play on my audio system or TV. I was fully expecting a different outcome when I hooked up the media player and was very surprised when the exact same issue arose. The volume level differential (attenuation?) is exactly the same with the media player as it was with the TV (no longer connected) ((no remaining jacks on the Carver)). I will continue to experiment with the volume settings and menus on the D-Link to see if I've overlooked something obvious. But thanks to all for eliminating the cable as a source of the problem. I'm sure it is just a matter of working through all the variables till I find the bugger. It works just not the way I want. As Gareth says: "just live with it" may be the best solution. I'll post back if I find something. Thanks All |
#12
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Low sound output from RCA audio cables
TVeblen wrote:
Note also that because "cable is cable", premium brand- names and botique prices don't buy you anything but bragging rights and a thinner wallet. Buying Monster cable is like hiring the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to wash your car. Your car isn't any cleaner, but you paid a lot more and got some entertainment factor. Heh Heh. You got that right! One of those "gonna do it right now" kind of purchases rather than waiting for cheaper cable from Newegg. I think Radio Shack calls anything over 6 ft a monster cable. The above is not to say that all cables are the same. Especially in your case, where you're carrying unbalanced audio a fair distance. Five meters is not far, but some really cheesy cables might give you problem. Since you don't report any noise in the signal--as long as you're getting no high-end rolloff--it's reasonable to assume you're okay. jak |
#13
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Low sound output from RCA audio cables
Note also that because "cable is cable", premium brand- names and botique prices don't buy you anything but bragging rights and a thinner wallet. Buying Monster cable is like hiring the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to wash your car. Your car isn't any cleaner, but you paid a lot more and got some entertainment factor. Heh Heh. You got that right! One of those "gonna do it right now" kind of purchases rather than waiting for cheaper cable from Newegg. I think Radio Shack calls anything over 6 ft a monster cable. |
#14
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Mass Reply - Low sound output from RCA audio cables
"TVeblen" wrote in message . .. thanks much to all for all the good information. The volume level is the same on both channels and the sound is good (when the volume is up). The TV is a 5 year old Sony KV-34XBR910 and the audio outputs are the ones you would use to hook up an AV receiver. I got the cables way back then to set up a "poor man's surround sound system" as a whim. I recall playing with every entry in the audio menu for the TV to see if there was an effect. I finally just assumed it was what it was and moved on to ther things. The new device is a D-Link DSM-520 network media player and I just hooked it up last week. It bridges media input from my computer network or the internet to play on my audio system or TV. I was fully expecting a different outcome when I hooked up the media player and was very surprised when the exact same issue arose. The volume level differential (attenuation?) is exactly the same with the media player as it was with the TV (no longer connected) ((no remaining jacks on the Carver)). I will continue to experiment with the volume settings and menus on the D-Link to see if I've overlooked something obvious. But thanks to all for eliminating the cable as a source of the problem. I'm sure it is just a matter of working through all the variables till I find the bugger. It works just not the way I want. As Gareth says: "just live with it" may be the best solution. I'll post back if I find something. Thanks All Follow up: Found it. Volume lock in menu tree. Volume is now controlled by the media player's remote. Thanks again to all for pointing me in the right direction. (Now I realize I need to revisit the TV menus again). |
#15
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Low sound output from RCA audio cables
"TVeblen" wrote in message . .. I am using a 5m audio cable (Radio Shack Monster Gold) to connect a TV and/or Media Player to an old Carver receiver in another room. The volume of the output is very low. I must turn the volume on the receiver up to 7 or 8 to get the same sound level that I would get with any other audio device at a setting of 2 or 3. It doesn't matter if the source device is switched or if I use an alternate line in port (that works well with another device/cable). Is 5m too long for an audio cable? Or is it just a bad cable? TIA My guess: you are connecting the cable to the Record Out jacks of the Carver, and not the Playback or Line In jacks. Fairly common problem, and could well load down the signal. Might also cause other symptoms on the Carver, if for example you are listening to one source on the Carver while the other unit is playing. Mark Z. |
#16
Posted to rec.audio.tech
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Low sound output from RCA audio cables
Mark D. Zacharias wrote:
"TVeblen" wrote in message . .. I am using a 5m audio cable (Radio Shack Monster Gold) to connect a TV and/or Media Player to an old Carver receiver in another room. The volume of the output is very low. I must turn the volume on the receiver up to 7 or 8 to get the same sound level that I would get with any other audio device at a setting of 2 or 3. It doesn't matter if the source device is switched or if I use an alternate line in port (that works well with another device/cable). Is 5m too long for an audio cable? Or is it just a bad cable? TIA My guess: you are connecting the cable to the Record Out jacks of the Carver, and not the Playback or Line In jacks. Fairly common problem, and could well load down the signal. Might also cause other symptoms on the Carver, if for example you are listening to one source on the Carver while the other unit is playing. Mark Z. Already fixed, it was a low-source issue.... jak |
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