Sparks

[Everett Cox]

--No response on the Electronics forum--

The other day, I wanted to hear some BIAB stuff through something better than my computer speakers. Since the sound card's output was normally going to powered speakers, I figured the signal might be in the same range as a pickup.
As I joined the sound card spkr-out to my practice amp's input, I saw some weak sparks from the center connector. I immediately quit and no damage on either side.

The computer was on but not, at the time, putting out any sound. The amp was on with the volume at zero. Everything properly grounded.

Normal??? (The sparks were between center pin to center on my adapters.) Can I safely send the sound card o/p to an amp i/p? The amp in question has no effects or other alternate inputs.

Thanks --Everett

[Jack Stoner]

It was obviously a difference in potential. You should have a "line out" jack from your audio card which will work better for that application.

[Everett Cox]

Thanks Jack-- I was afraid the 'line out' from the sound card would be too hot a signal to go directly to the amp's I/P jack. You're correct, the sparks were obvious evidence of a difference in potential. But why??? --Ev

[Richard Sinkler]

I just purchased BIAB and hope to hook my computer to a tape deck or my audio CD recorder. I also plan on buying a 4 track recorder. Would I want to use the line out jack also?

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Carter D10 8p/10k
Richard Sinkler BS, www.sinkler.com

[Jack Stoner]

Yes, the "line" output on a sound card is normally a low level signal not a "line level (1v) signal.

You should also have a "line in" jack for recording.

Both the line in and line out are stereo (tip/ring/sleeve) jacks.

[Richard Sinkler]

Thanks, Jack.

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Carter D10 8p/10k
Richard Sinkler BS, www.sinkler.com