Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
mono to stereo and vice versa
Hi,
I hope this is not off topic. I see CPC (and I'm sure others) sell adaptors that convert mono plugs to stereo ones or vice versa. Something like this: http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/ps...-st/dp/AV17274 I realise that in addition to the stereo to mono conversion, this particular example is also converting sizes but as far as the electrical side of things goes, does the adaptor simply short the left and right channels together? Wouldn't plugging a mono plug into a stereo socket achieve exactly the same thing without an adaptor (assuming the plug and socket were the same size)? I presume these adaptors are more useful when plugging a stereo plug into a mono socket, which otherwise might only receive one channel? TIA |
#2
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
mono to stereo and vice versa
In article ,
Fred wrote: I realise that in addition to the stereo to mono conversion, this particular example is also converting sizes but as far as the electrical side of things goes, does the adaptor simply short the left and right channels together? It rather depends. Amplifier outputs are usually low impedance and may not like being connected in parallel. So to be safe you'd use a resistor in each leg to prevent distortion. Going the other way round - mono to stereo, so two inputs are connected - is usually ok. Wouldn't plugging a mono plug into a stereo socket achieve exactly the same thing without an adaptor (assuming the plug and socket were the same size)? You'd be hoping the single tip mates with the twin stereo contacts. Which it may or may not do reliably. -- *Why do they put Braille on the drive-through bank machines? Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#3
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
mono to stereo and vice versa
On May 16, 1:45*pm, Fred wrote:
Hi, I hope this is not off topic. I see CPC (and I'm sure others) sell adaptors that convert mono plugs to stereo ones or vice versa. Something like this:http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/ps...-6-35-mono-to-... I realise that in addition to the stereo to mono conversion, this particular example is also converting sizes but as far as the electrical side of things goes, does the adaptor simply short the left and right channels together? Wouldn't plugging a mono plug into a stereo socket achieve exactly the same thing without an adaptor (assuming the plug and socket were the same size)? I presume these adaptors are more useful when plugging a stereo plug into a mono socket, which otherwise might only receive one channel? TIA A mono plug in a stereo socket connects to one channel and shorts out the other. Adaptors are liable to be direct connections, with no resistors. Whether this is ideal depends on the details of the device feeding it NT |
#4
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
mono to stereo and vice versa
On 16/05/2012 13:45, Fred wrote:
Hi, I hope this is not off topic. I see CPC (and I'm sure others) sell adaptors that convert mono plugs to stereo ones or vice versa. Something like this: http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-signal/ps...-st/dp/AV17274 I realise that in addition to the stereo to mono conversion, this particular example is also converting sizes but as far as the electrical side of things goes, does the adaptor simply short the left and right channels together? Wouldn't plugging a mono plug into a stereo socket achieve exactly the same thing without an adaptor (assuming the plug and socket were the same size)? Not quite... Mono plug in a stereo socket may well short one channel to ground. I presume these adaptors are more useful when plugging a stereo plug into a mono socket, which otherwise might only receive one channel? Indeed. There is usually enough resistance in the output drive to allow the plug to do some crude "mixing" of the stereo channels into a single mono one, when going the other way - but not all amps will appreciate it. -- Cheers, John. /================================================== ===============\ | Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk | |-----------------------------------------------------------------| | John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk | \================================================= ================/ |
#5
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
mono to stereo and vice versa
On Wed, 16 May 2012 14:02:07 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote: It rather depends. Amplifier outputs are usually low impedance and may not like being connected in parallel. So to be safe you'd use a resistor in each leg to prevent distortion. Going the other way round - mono to stereo, so two inputs are connected - is usually ok. I doubt these adaptors have resistors built-in, do they? It would add complexity and cost to the design and I suppose the value of the resistor would have to match the impedance of whatever it was connected to, so the manufacturer would not be able to produce a "one size fits all" item, or would they? You'd be hoping the single tip mates with the twin stereo contacts. Which it may or may not do reliably. I think when I typed that a mono socket would short both channels together I was thinking of the contacts in the socket touching the two sections nearest the barrel end of the plug. Now that I think about it, I think that ground is nearest the barrel, then right, then left channel, in which case, wouldn't the right channel be shorted to ground rather than to the left channel? Perhaps an adaptor is required after all and I suppose for forty pence, better safe than sorry. As it happens, I was looking for something completely different when I stumbled across these, so it is all hypothetical but hopefully might help somebody else. I actually ordered a set of twin leads with phono plugs both ends to carry left and right audio. The leads have arrived and on each plug is printed the word "digital"! The mind boggles. Clearly a case of the marketing department adding the word "digital" to make it sound superior! I've gone and had a look at them and yes, they are gold plated too |
#6
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
mono to stereo and vice versa
On May 18, 1:06*pm, Fred wrote:
On Wed, 16 May 2012 14:02:07 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)" wrote: It rather depends. Amplifier outputs are usually low impedance and may not like being connected in parallel. So to be safe you'd use a resistor in each leg to prevent distortion. Going the other way round - mono to stereo, so two inputs are connected - is usually ok. I doubt these adaptors have resistors built-in, do they? It would add complexity and cost to the design and I suppose the value of the resistor would have to match the impedance of whatever it was connected to, so the manufacturer would not be able to produce a "one size fits all" item, or would they? You'd be hoping the single tip mates with the twin stereo contacts. Which it may or may not do reliably. I think when I typed that a mono socket would short both channels together I was thinking of the contacts in the socket touching the two sections nearest the barrel end of the plug. Now that I think about it, I think that ground is nearest the barrel, then right, then left channel, in which case, wouldn't the right channel be shorted to ground rather than to the left channel? Perhaps an adaptor is required after all and I suppose for forty pence, better safe than sorry. As it happens, I was looking for something completely different when I stumbled across these, so it is all hypothetical but hopefully might help somebody else. I actually ordered a set of twin leads with phono plugs both ends to carry left and right audio. The leads have arrived and on each plug is printed the word "digital"! The mind boggles. Clearly a case of the marketing department adding the word "digital" to make it sound superior! I've gone and had a look at them and yes, they are gold plated too If you've got soldering iron, just use a stereo plug with 2 sm resistors. NT |
#7
Posted to uk.d-i-y
|
|||
|
|||
mono to stereo and vice versa
In article ,
Fred wrote: It rather depends. Amplifier outputs are usually low impedance and may not like being connected in parallel. So to be safe you'd use a resistor in each leg to prevent distortion. Going the other way round - mono to stereo, so two inputs are connected - is usually ok. I doubt these adaptors have resistors built-in, do they? It would add complexity and cost to the design Low power resistors cost a fraction of a penny in bulk. Probably not much more than connecting wire. and I suppose the value of the resistor would have to match the impedance of whatever it was connected to, so the manufacturer would not be able to produce a "one size fits all" item, or would they? This sort of socket is usually designed to drive stereo headphones of approx 25 ohms as a maximum load. If you're using it to drive a mono amp, the actual source impedance isn't critical. It you were using it to drive mono headphones, they would likely be high impedance devices. So again, not much concerned about the source impedance. If you were trying to drive a loudspeaker, all bets are off. ;-) -- *I love cats...they taste just like chicken. Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Need help in identifying a faucet knob for this faucet stem (or vice versa) | Home Repair | |||
Converting Weber BBQ From LP To NG, and Vice Versa | Home Repair | |||
Mono signal from stereo loudspeakers | UK diy | |||
To en30...hotmail: Re Previous Post on Latex Over Oil Paint, or Vice Versa ? | Home Repair | |||
stereo / mono wiring | Electronics |