Tape Project Forum

Tape Machines => Reel to Reel Tape Machines => Topic started by: jimkjr on February 26, 2010, 09:42:18 AM

Title: 5050 output cable length
Post by: jimkjr on February 26, 2010, 09:42:18 AM

Is there a max length that should not be exceeded,due to resistance/impedance of the cable? And would a thinner silver conductor be better than copper in this respect? I will be running approx. 20 ft., will there be any degradtion in sound quality with that distance?

Title: Re: 5050 output cable length
Post by: docb on February 26, 2010, 10:18:28 AM

Is this cable coming from the standard balanced XLR line outputs of a stock MX5050? If so, it's probably fine to have that long a run as long as the cable is well shielded. If, however, you are talking about cables from a machine that has been modified for direct head output running into an outboard playback preamp you want to use very short, low capacitance cables.

Title: Re: 5050 output cable length
Post by: jimkjr on February 27, 2010, 01:00:20 PM

Docb
How about from an outboard pwr. supply/preamp that is already connected to the head?

Title: Re: 5050 output cable length
Post by: docb on February 27, 2010, 03:53:11 PM

I would have to know the output impedance of the outboard preamp to give a useful answer. If it low, like 500 ohms, it will probably be fine. If it is higher, like 5K ohms, cable length will best be kept shorter.

Title: Re: 5050 output cable length
Post by: jimkjr on March 03, 2010, 06:02:19 PM

Thanks Doc
I appreciate the input.Now I have another problem,and I don't know if you can help.The forward tension arm is loose at the top of the arm.Can that be tightened from the top,or do I have to get to it underneath the deck inside?

Doc,I fixed the problem with the loose tension,it was a simple fix,as you probably know.But again thank you for your previous advice.