Tape input on preamp - Can I use for other sources

Kr4, you state:

Some are tape head inputs which are like phono inputs in that they have much greater gain and special EQ compared to line level inputs.

I never heard of such an input on a consumer preamp. To what are you referring?

Joeylawn36111, true, in most cases. However, some E.A.R. integrateds have a "phono input" that is just for labeling of the source selector knob...actually, only a line level input requiring an additional phono preamp. There may also be other preamps or integrateds that use this labeling system as well!

kal is correct although I haven't seen it in many years. My old Pioneer SX-1000TW has a tape head input.

Swampwalker, so do you recall the exact function of this input? Or was it just labeling done to prevent confusion of the conventionally used "tape/source" or "source/monitor loop on" switch designation?

The tape head input was used for direct feed from the tape head so that the deck did not need a built-in preamp stage. This meant that the gain/sensitivity of the tape head input was higher than MM phono input and that it had a specific EQ (NAB, etc) for that device. Rare today but the OP never told us what preamp he is referring to.

Kal

Thanks for the correction, Fatparrot. Nice to learn something new...