XMC-2 no record in/out like XMC-1

[brick]

I just received my new XMC-2 trade-in for XMC-1. Started to connecting and found that I have no way to connect my Real to Real tape. The Record in/out I had on XMC-1 is not on XMC-2. Someone please tell me of a way to solve this problem. Analog is just as important as digital to me. I current/previously used RCA in/out Rt/Lt to connect my Revox B77.

[doc1963]

May 30, 2020 12:13:36 GMT -5 brick said:

I just received my new XMC-2 trade-in for XMC-1. Started to connecting and found that I have no way to connect my Real to Real tape. The Record in/out I had on XMC-1 is not on XMC-2. Someone please tell me of a way to solve this problem. Analog is just as important as digital to me. I current/previously used RCA in/out Rt/Lt to connect my Revox B77.

You may or may not like this answer, but if analog plays just as an important role as digital in your system (just as it does in my own), then having a high quality analog preamp which also employs an HT bypass mode can be irreplaceable.

HT processors will always come and go, but for this reason alone, my XSP-1 will never leave my system. It may be a rather expensive solution (unless you can find one used), but it is a permanent solution that you will never regret.

[brick]

I do appreciate the response. I have a phono pre-amp but the issue is getting analog out. I am thinking now about trying a XLR Female to Dual XLR Male to send the output to both my XPA-5 (Front) and to my Revox. Not sure about the pros/cons of that approach.

[doc1963]

May 30, 2020 13:04:50 GMT -5 brick said:

I do appreciate the response. I have a phono pre-amp but the issue is getting analog out. I am thinking now about trying a XLR Female to Dual XLR Male to send the output to both my XPA-5 (Front) and to my Revox. Not sure about the pros/cons of that approach.

The “con” would be output voltage being regulated by the XMC-2’s volume control and not a predetermined line level. That’s a huge con...

[brick]

Not really I just need a line out. I can control input level on recorder. I worry more about the split causing signal degradation to XPA-5. Sorry you are right after thinking it through, that is a huge problem for that solution. So need to find another.

[ttocs]

May 30, 2020 13:30:02 GMT -5 brick said:

Not really I just need a line out. I can control input level on recorder. I worry more about the split causing signal degradation to XPA-5.

Wondering if you can use Zone-2 Output? There's also a volume control consideration with this, but might be worth a look.

Otherwise, the best solution is what Doc recommended.

[brick]

Zone 2 is used for outside amp. I would have to split the output to make that work but a better/more likely solution.

[brick]

I truly appreciate both of you patience with me. It really helps to have someone to brain storm with to think things through. In the panic of the moment thinking things through can be quite overwhelming. Ordering (2) RCA Male to Dual Female splitters to try. Back to tracing and labeling all of the cables and see if it works Very exciting and a pain at the same time.

[405x5]

That’s bad....sorry to hear that. As it is, there are a few “ old fashioned” things is miss that are gone with the XMC1.
I had a built in EXCELLENT phono preamp stage that I used (only one day) to take some vintage record albums for one last spin before saying goodbye.
My cassette system stays with the XMC1.

Bill

[AudioHTIT]

I very much miss the tape out as well, it’s been mourned here by a few of use since they released pictures of the rear panel a couple years ago. The Zone 2 out is really your only analog option, especially because you can leave the output set at say 0 and get something similar to a tape out, but if you have a zone amp you would have to split it. An option I’m pursuing is finding a new zone amp that meets a lot of new requirements, including a digital input, you could then dedicate Zone 2 out for tape, and use the digital outs for Zone 2 (if the amp also had the other features needed to make this work).

Looks like I first started planning a solution FOUR years ago (before we knew about the XMC-2), but I still haven found anything I totally like. 
emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/47068/new-zone-amp-suggestions

[KeithL]

I'm not sure I really understand the whole discussion here....

(Although I might point out that "times have changed and needs have changed with them".)

If you're just looking for an analog output that carries a stereo version of whatever you're listening to then the Zone 2 output is it.

In that context, if you set it to Follow Main, the Zone 2 output does everything that your old "Tape Output" did....

And in fact it does a lot more.

The old idea of "tape output" and "tape input" is an anachronism for several reasons.

First of all, by the officially accepted legal standards today, you really aren't supposed to be "recording" most of what you're listening to.

And, to be quite honest, I don't know anyone who would actually want to make an analog recording anyway...

(If you're not worried about the legality, there are much better ways to copy audio discs, files, or streaming content.)

(And, if I were recording a vinyl album, I'd be wanting to listen to the digital feed, or the digital copy after it was recorded, at the output of the recorder.)

And the purpose of the "tape input" and "tape monitor" was to be able to listen to what was coming back from the recorder.

With high quality old style analog recorders, you were able to listen to the tape you were making, as it was recorded, to confirm the recording quality...

This is simply not something that you have any reason to do with digital recorders....

Likewise, in the old days, the "tape loop" was also often used as a "processor loop"...

However, these days, very few of us would want to insert an ANALOG processor into the signal chain in a high quality digital processor...

(The Parametric EQ in any modern processor does more than your old graphic equalizer ever did - and does it far better.)

(And, if you still have a pair of Bose 901's, and need that analog processor, you can always put it between the processor and the power amp.)

(And, if you really want to be able to play all sorts of different content, and possibly play something different in each zone, in lots of different zones, then you probably should be thinking about a real multi-zone streaming solution like Sonos... or one of the streamer/software "multi-room whole-home solutions".)

 

[AudioHTIT]

May 30, 2020 22:51:56 GMT -5 KeithL said:

I'm not sure I really understand the whole discussion here....

(Although I might point out that "times have changed and needs have changed with them".)
...

🤦‍♂️

[brick]

Again I want to thank everyone for there input. I received and connect (2) RCA Male to Dual Female splitters and voila I have output to Tape and Zone 2. I will not be using both at the same time so no problem. I did discover that I will have to turn the volume on zone 2 to 0db when recording, not an issue unless someone says that could be a problem.

[AudioHTIT]

May 31, 2020 19:07:26 GMT -5 brick said:

Again I want to thank everyone for there input. I received and connect (2) RCA Male to Dual Female splitters and voila I have output to Tape and Zone 2. I will not be using both at the same time so no problem. I did discover that I will have to turn the volume on zone 2 to 0db when recording, not an issue unless someone says that could be a problem.

There is currently a potential Zone 2 issue when it is set to ‘Follow Main’. With most systems you will find he volume is 6-8 dB less than if you select the input you’re using, with some systems you may also hear a crackling or static sound. For the time being, I’d recommend setting Z2 to the actual input you want (like analog 1 or optical 2) instead of Follow Main. This won’t work for HDMI, which requires Follow Main.

[vcautokid]

Yep even with the XMC-1 I just come out of Zone 2 duplicate what Zone 1 is doing. Any of my tape machines are golden. I use a Mackie HM-400 as my line director to my tape machine complement.