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Tape-in and Tape-out ports

Why do so many preamp manufacturers still provide Tape-in and Tape-out ports? I doubt if they expect folks use them for hooking up a tape player. Some even still have a tape monitor switch on the front panel. How do you guys use these ports and has anyone noticed a difference in sound quality if the tape-in port is used for something else like a CD player, etc.? If the tape-out port is just like another output, e.g., drive a separate amp or a powered subwoofer, etc., why not just call it Output?
Been meaning to ask this question, albeit it might sound rudimentary.
kalali
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,249 posts
 

kalali---For one thing, the tape out jacks are fixed in level, not variable like the mains, so they can’t be used to feed a power amp (unless your amp has level pots). Also, they are taken from before the final stage of amplification in a pre, and their output impedance is often different from that of the mains.

But as cleeds said, those outputs are also used as the source for digital recorders, as well as surround sound processors and digital room correction devices (DSPeaker Anti-Mode, for instance).

cleeds
6,246 posts
 
bdp24

For one thing, the tape out jacks are ... taken from before the final stage of amplification in a pre, and their output impedance is often different from that of the main

Not necessarily. On some ARC preamps, for example, the tape out is just a "pass-through."
kalali's avatar
kalali OP
1,977 posts
 
Thank you. So technically with a unity gain I suppose one could also drive a powered subwoofer using this output, assuming the subwoofer has volume and frequency cutoff controls. I hadn't considered the other usecases mentioned.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,346 posts
 
Not very practical.  You would have to separately adjusted the subwoofer volume every time you change the preamp volume.
gregkohanmim
153 posts
 
To point out another obvious one - the tape loop (with monitor switch on/off) is also useful for connecting an EQ in the signal path on any source.  Would apply to any effects processing actually.  I haven't used them this way in years, but have used them that way with a spectral analyzer with no EQ in the past and it can be at least interesting.

Not suggesting that most people are using tape decks these days, but it still has its utility for some.

Greg
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