I was just playing my bass and was wondering why quarter inch jacks are not used for hifi interconnects. Would they not be suitable?
Why not?
Why not?
Im not sure but I think...
First theyre very sensetive. Theyre so small så there isnt any good connection surface. There is no reason to use that small factor for hifi equipment where theres usually plenty of space for better bigger intercomnections...
This is just my thoughts...
/GM
First theyre very sensetive. Theyre so small så there isnt any good connection surface. There is no reason to use that small factor for hifi equipment where theres usually plenty of space for better bigger intercomnections...
This is just my thoughts...
/GM
Quarter-inch jacks have the disadvantage of signal outputs being potentially shorted to ground during plugging in. RCA/phono has an even worse problem: the inner mates before the outer. One could argue that the old European DIN system was better, but of course the US will never adopt a foreign system and eventually we all follow the US.
You can get phonos where the ground connects first. Not cheap, though.
I happen to think XLR and speakOn connectors ought to be used throughout, but my interconnects are mostly phono, as I already had plenty of connectors lying around.
I happen to think XLR and speakOn connectors ought to be used throughout, but my interconnects are mostly phono, as I already had plenty of connectors lying around.
Audio and Video connectors
I like BNC connectors for Audio AND they are available in 50 and 75 ohm impedance configurations. For audio it does not matter because audio uses a higher impedance for the connections.
No RCA phono plug is 75 ohms impedance which is proper for Video and Digital Data.
The BNC is a positive connection with a quarter turn shell and it connects ground before the signal.
The disadvantage is the larger diameter of the connector in tight places on the back of some equipment.
I like BNC connectors for Audio AND they are available in 50 and 75 ohm impedance configurations. For audio it does not matter because audio uses a higher impedance for the connections.
No RCA phono plug is 75 ohms impedance which is proper for Video and Digital Data.
The BNC is a positive connection with a quarter turn shell and it connects ground before the signal.
The disadvantage is the larger diameter of the connector in tight places on the back of some equipment.
True, but 99% of the time you connect your devices before powering up and the wires stay plugged in for years, so it doesn't matter.
BTW the DIN connector didn't connect the ground before the signal, the 5 pins are all the same length. Using a single DIN cable between an amp and a tape deck to record and playback was convenient.
1/4" plugs and jacks are quite suitable for audio use, if the possible short to ground is not a concern (i.e. no hot plugging).
Not sure why mcdaisy thinks they are small.
Not sure why mcdaisy thinks they are small.
I used 1/4 inch jack sockets on a disco. Worked fine until I tripped over a lead and it came out shorting out the amplifier and blowing its fuses.
Luckily it was just the fuses that blew and I changed them and carried on.
It's just tradition. RCA invented the single ended jack that we all use and it was originally used to connect the turntable (phonograph) to the amplifier where both components were inside of a cabinet and fairly close together. It was never intended for longer connections.
Do you mean 1/4" stereo jacks, which are commonly used in balanced connections? I think the 1/4" mono jacks, which I think are old phone switchboard types, are not that common.
I think the XLR is far better engineered audio connector.
Yes and a lot more cash and take more space, thats why manufacterers use RCAs, there the cheapest and smallest (also why we see alot of 1/8" connectors now).
(recording studios use bantam/TT jacks in there patch bays, like 1/4 inch but 3 connectors (ballanced) and non shorting.
Those bantam jacks look nice. Thanks for the information. I was not aware of them until now.
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