Vincent Audio SV-234 Glossary, Vincent, Audio Sources/Source devices, Input sensitivity, dB-Level

GLOSSARY

Audio Sources/Source devices

These are the components of your HiFi system and all other appliances, whose sound you want to hear over the system and are thus connected to the pre- amplifier, amplifier or receiver. This includes CD players, DVD players, tuners (radios), cassette play- ers, DAT recorders, personal computers, record players, portable audio devices and many more.

Input sensitivity

Term for the smallest average (RMS) input voltage which causes the maximum output power at the maximum volume setting on the amplifier. Examples: 100 mV to 500 mV (Millivolts) on high level inputs, 2 mV to 5 mV on the phono MM input or 0.1 mV to 0.5 mV on the phono MC input.

dB-Level

This is a way of describing any physical quantity; it is a common measurement for signal voltages and the volume. It is given in decibels (dB). Alternating signal voltages below 1V (RMS) are described as "line level" voltages, which are suitable as music signals for amplifier inputs. Inputs on amplifiers (mostly represented by RCA sockets), which are designed for signals on the CD player, tape recor- der, DVD player etc. are also referred to as "line level inputs" or "high-level inputs". Those signal inputs must not be confused with inputs that accept preamplified signals.

RCA

RCA is the American name for coaxial RCA connec- tors and sockets, originally the abbreviation for "Radio Corporation of America", the name of a United States company. Both the plug and cable consist of a rod-shaped inner lead and a cylindri- cal-shaped outer lead. This enables a mono audio signal or a video signal to be transmitted. Compared to the XLR plug connector, this type of connection is also called "unbalanced signal con- nection".

XLR

Also: "Symmetrical Connection" or "balanced". A plug-and-socket connection for audio devices. It is round (with approx. 1.5 cm in diameter) and has 3 contacts/pins. XLR is an alternative connecti- on to RCA used to transmit NF-Signals in professio- nal audio equipment. The advantage is one additio- nal transmission path for the same but phase inver- ted signal. If the receiving device can process this, all inducted noise received in the cable screen can be eliminated. The signal voltage level used for this type of transfer is higher, so it is a more robust less sensitive signal path.

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