Audio / Hi-Fi Hieroglyphics

[Audio Al]

As a relative new comer to Audio / Hi-Fi it seems that I need to learn a new language

Reading through some posts and audio articles I keep coming up with things like :-

MM
MC
RCA
DAC
Pre out
24 step tvc
Riaa
xlr out
biwired

The list goes on and on and on :scratch:

I think I need a Dummies Guide to Hi Fi :doh:

Is there one available ? That will help me become fluent in the mew language of Hi Fi

HELP

[Welder]

It's confusing isn't it.
I think this is one of the best audio overview sites on the internet. It's comparatively free of value judgements and rather well laid out imo.
The guy who runs it posts here occasionally.

http://thewelltemperedcomputer.com/

[YNWaN]

MM = moving magnet cartridge - for playing records
MC = moving coil cartridge - also for playing records
RCA = means a phono plug (or socket)
DAC = digital to analogue converter
Pre out = short for the output sockets from a pre-amp, to connect to a power amp
24 step tvc = essentially a volume control with 24 settings instead of being constantly variable
RIAA = describes the bass cut and treble boost used when cutting a record and the inverse which must be applied when playing it back
XLR out = XLR is a type of connector (as RCA is) ,but has three pins. It could be in (a signal input to an amp), or out (an output signal from a piece of equipment)
bi-wired = means the bass driver and the tweeter of a speaker have their own set of wires back to the amplifier.

Ultimately, Google is your friend.

[Audio Al]

Google is my friend :D

Well lets see :lol:

Thanks

:)

[technobear]

TVC = transformer volume control

[Beechwoods]

You should also check the AOS Library if you're after a list of common terms used to describe what you're hearing... http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3260

[flatpopely]

RCA is Radio Corporation of America. They defined a standard for audio stuff just like DIN.

RCA is not a connector.

If you send me a PM with an email I can send you an audio 101 document I use to train AV engineers in the basics of audio, it's quite interesting.

[YNWaN]

Oh, I didn't know that - I knew about DIN but not the source of RCA - what other types of connector are classed as RCA?

In the context of this thread though, RCA does usually mean a phono plug/socket. By the same token, I somewhat paraphrased TVC.

[flatpopely]

I'm a font of useless facts!

[Barry]

Oh, I didn't know that - I knew about DIN but not the source of RCA - what other types of connector are classed as RCA?

In the context of this thread though, RCA does usually mean a phono plug/socket. By the same token, I somewhat paraphrased TVC.

No other - just the horrid little 'phono connector'.

Andrew is perhaps being just a touch pedantic. For more information on connectors used in audio, have a look at: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3849.

Regards

[Thing Fish]

As a relative new comer to Audio / Hi-Fi it seems that I need to learn a new language


HELP
Hi Al as long as you don't admit to having linn or any piece of Naim gear you will be ok...;)

[walpurgis]

No other - just the horrid little 'phono connector'.

Andrew is perhaps being just a touch pedantic. For more information on connectors used in audio, have a look at: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3849.

Regards

What's wrong with the phono sockets and plugs? Granted they could be a bit bigger to suit modern cabling, but they seem to work well enough and at least they maintain the screening. I always hated DINs but I quite like the RCA.

[maxrob200]

Cinch connector (RCA phono type)
Lockable WBT connectors are larger and will accomodate thicker cables, however I've found that some phono sockets are spaced a bit too close together on the chassis for a pair to fit comfortably
I like XLR and in the early days Marl Levinson also used Lemo connectors

[Barry]

What's wrong with the phono sockets and plugs? Granted they could be a bit bigger to suit modern cabling, but they seem to work well enough and at least they maintain the screening. I always hated DINs but I quite like the RCA.

Read the Library article.

[flatpopely]

Cinch connector (RCA phono type)
Lockable WBT connectors are larger and will accomodate thicker cables, however I've found that some phono sockets are spaced a bit too close together on the chassis for a pair to fit comfortably
I like XLR and in the early days Marl Levinson also used Lemo connectors

Lemo is a brand.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Lemo is a brand.

Indeed............and if we're in the mood for bandying about acronyms,what Levinson actually used was Fischer branded CAMAC connectors:

Computer Automated Measurement And Control

It's an IEEE-standard (583), modular, high-performance, real-time data acquisition and control system concept..........apparently.

Here's another thread to read (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2740)

[walpurgis]

Read the Library article.

I did. Nobody is claiming the phono socket to be perfect, but they generally work OK. The ideal interface has yet to be designed.

[maxrob200]

Lemo - brand
Yes, couldnt recall the looong description of those connectors. They were pretty good connectors

[technobear]

While we're being pedantic, I might as well add this one:

RIAA = Recording Industry Association of America

They defined the equalisation standard which is used to compress the bass and expand the treble when cutting records and the reverse which is applied by a phono pre-amplifier (often still known as a 'head amp' - not to be confused with 'headphone amp').

ADC = Analogue to Digital Converter - the opposite of a DAC

IEC = International Electrotechnical Commission

An IEC plug/socket is the well known kettle plug/socket used to get mains into hifi.

By the way, a standard UK 3-pin plug is known as BS 1363.

The story of the XLR connector can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XLR_connector

You might also come across TRS connectors.

TRS = Tip Ring Sleeve

There are also TS and TRRS versions. These are often called Jack plugs/sockets. The original version is 6.3mm in diameter (1/4 inch) and is used for pro-audio patch cables and also is the standard for hifi and pro-audio headphones.

The 3.5mm Jack plug/socket (1/8 inch) is a smaller version of TRS often used in personal gear, laptops etc. These are a menace as the sockets are often of poor quality and don't make a particularly secure connection.

[Marco]

Hi Al as long as you don't admit to having linn or any piece of Naim gear you will be ok...

Lol... Why do you keep saying that, daftee? Linn/Naim bashing on here is very thin on the ground!

Please change the record (pun intended) ;)

Marco.

[Joe]

Indeed............and if we're in the mood for bandying about acronyms,what Levinson actually used was Fischer branded CAMAC connectors[/URL]

I remember Caramac.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Not Immac?

[YNWaN]

Lol... Why do you keep saying that, daftee? Linn/Naim bashing on here is very thin on the ground!

Please change the record (pun intended) ;)

Marco.

Yes, that's very true. I own both Linn (admittedly not much) and Naim (quite a bit) and survive unmolested :).

[Macca]

I was always fond of NICAM

Near Instantaneous Compounded Audio Multiplex

Whoever thought that one up is near the top of the tree (of acronym thinker-uppers, that is...)

[flatpopely]

I was always fond of NICAM

Near Instantaneous Compounded Audio Multiplex

Whoever thought that one up is near the top of the tree (of acronym thinker-uppers, that is...)

TWAIN is the one!

[Macca]

What about TRAITR? - I think that was a Kenwood thing

[Joe]

Not Immac?

I tried that once; it tasted horrible.

[flatpopely]

I tried that once; it tasted horrible.

Had said product been recently applied?

[Beechwoods]

I tried that once; it tasted horrible.

Sorted out your furry tongue though?