Laptop to stereo, only phono?

[jipe]

I have no knowledge whatsoever regarding sound and I need help from you experts!

I have an old Sony stereo (MHC-550) - probably over 10 years old but I plan to continue to use it cause I'm happy with the sound - which I connected to my laptop.

The problem is that it just seems to have a contact for phono on the back (except the speaker inputs), and this gives a horrible sound. What are the ways to solve this? Some kind of adapter? Or it is possible to solve by any software?

On the front, there is only one out connector for headphones.

 

[markw]

If this is the manual to your unit, on page 8 it shows an input for connecting the audio output from a MD deck or a VCR. Try that.

 

[Adam]

Mark, that manual is for the MHC-W550. I saw that earlier, too, but I don't think that's the right one or it would have been obvious that there was another input. The MHC-550 doesn't have that AV input.

Welcome to the forum, jipe! I'm familiar with preamps that let you connect a turntable to a non-PHONO input, but not any that let you connect a non-turntable to a PHONO input. The PHONO inputs have a higher sensitivity and (I think) different EQ curve than regular inputs, so you're computer probably sounded really loud when you first tried it. You could overcome the higher sensitivity with inline resistors, but I don't know much about the EQ curves. Other people here might have a better answer for you, though.

 

[TLS Guy]

Mark, that manual is for the MHC-W550. I saw that earlier, too, but I don't think that's the right one or it would have been obvious that there was another input. The MHC-550 doesn't have that AV input.

Welcome to the forum, jipe! I'm familiar with preamps that let you connect a turntable to a non-PHONO input, but not any that let you connect a non-turntable to a PHONO input. The PHONO inputs have a higher sensitivity and (I think) different EQ curve than regular inputs, so you're computer probably sounded really loud when you first tried it. You could overcome the higher sensitivity with inline resistors, but I don't know much about the EQ curves. Other people here might have a better answer for you, though.

If he does not have a line level input he is out of luck. You would have to build an inverse RIAA preamp, and then have it output about 4 mv. That would be quite a challenge, and not really worth it.

His cheapest and best solution is to move on from that old Sony.

 

[markw]

Well then there's good news, and bad news.

Strange. I cannot seem to find any references to a plain old 550, just a W550 but such is life.

The good news is that this site has exactly what you need. The bad news is that they are temporarialy out of stock.

No guarantees on how it would affect the audio quality, though.

 

[Adam]

Good info, TLS - and thanks for the link, Mark. I did a real quick search for "Reverse RIAA adapter" and found some more. Here's one for $8 + $5 shipping, and they are in stock.

 

[jipe]

Thanks for the help everyone. Are you sure this adapter will work? If it does, i'll just buy that one and problem solved =)

 

[markw]

What, you want a guarantee for $8?

Thanks for the help everyone. Are you sure this adapter will work? If it does, i'll just buy that one and problem solved =)

None of us have tried this. But, from what you describe and what the adverts say about it, we BELIEVE it SHOULD work.

That's about the best you're gonna get from us.

 

[slipperybidness]

None of us have tried this. But, from what you describe and what the adverts say about it, we BELIEVE it SHOULD work.

That's about the best you're gonna get from us.

It's cheaper than your other options, replacing the entire rig.

IF you get it, please report back on the results.