Graphic Equalizer for Yamaha RX-797?

[m. zillch]

Hi,

Yes I know the post is old, it's a good explanation of what a tape monitor loop is but I find it surprising that among all these responses from audio fans none bothered to look at what a Yamaha RX-797 was to answer the OP's question about whether it could connect an EQ. Of course it can, the Yamaha RX-797 is equipped with a REC OUT function! For those who don't know, it's like a Tape monitor loop except that you choose what you want to send to the Tape out independently of the selected input, so you can record one source and listen to another at the same time.

Another big difference is the physically selectable only Rec. out control (so you can't make your source selection via remote) is not a loop. It sends a signal but there are no return jacks dedicated to it like on either a true tape monitor loop or on some gear they used to call it an EPL, "external processor loop".

In a pinch the pre-out/main-in coupler ports can sort of work but they are sub optimal. Although they can both send and then receive back an external device such as an equalizer or other processor box they do so at a highly varying level depending on one's currently selected main volume control setting [rather than at a fixed (but robust) level like on a true tape monitor loop]. This means at low volume settings the signal traveling out to the external EQ is very weak in level and if the EQ receives a low signal this can make its noise floor more noticeable when you listen to its output. Conversely if your setting is too high this potentially can overload the EQ's input stage causeing audible dictortion. Not sure about the RX-797 by Gene measured another Yamaha receiver recently and its preamp output "was able to muster a clean 4Vrms output free from clipping". That strong level can overwhelm some outboard EQs whereas a true tape monitor loop never does (they are usually around a 2V signal level I believe).

 

[SkyTrax26]

RX-797_C.pdf https://share.google/KRm31XLTteNCSaWgp

An EQ is plugged the same way as a tape cassette deck, Tape in, Tape out, EQ in, EQ out, you just plus the EQ in the Tape In and Out of the receiver, you left the receiver input on "Tape" to listen what you've sent to the EQ via the rec out selector. You can also use the Zone 2 feature to achieve the same thing or as a last resort the Pre Out and Main In jacks but it's not the best way because the signal level sent to the EQ's inputs will be driven and controlled by the volume control and all the preamp section of the RX-797, instead of being fixed like a regular tape out line level output.

RX-797_C.pdf https://share.google/KRm31XLTteNCSaWgp

That's the user manual for reference, they talk about how to monitor a source on page 25.

 

[m. zillch]

Losing the ability to select the source device being heard (without having to get up out of my chair and walking over to the receiver to physically rotate the rec. out knob manually), because one is perpetually locked to staying on only the input called "Tape in" or your equalizer isn't engaged, would annoy me. . . . in fact it did annoy me when I had to use this kludgy workaround on another receiver many years ago.