AUDIOCLINIC (Nov. 1991)

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Wrong Cable Connector Causes Mono

In your answer to Steve Metz's question about monophonic sound with videocassette recorders in the January issue, you missed a very likely cause of the lack of stereo from the reader's VCR. Some stereo TV sets have switches in their audio inputs to eliminate the need for a "Y" connector when connecting a single cable from a monophonic VCR. Manufacturers of VCRs are aware of the TV inputs and use compatible plugs. One of my co-workers had a similar problem after substituting some audio cables. The center pin of these plugs was not long enough to open the switch that bridges the left and the right channels of the TV set when the second input is left open.

If a VCR is hooked to an audio system via such a TV, as appears to be the case in Metz's system, the VCR signal passed on to the audio system will be mono, with both channels bridged together. Some TV sets may have external stereo/mono switches that could cause the same problem.

Make sure you have the right cable connectors, and make sure that the switches on the TV are set to the position which permits stereo to be received by your audio system.

-Dennis L. Green, Detroit, Mich.

Scratched CDs

Q. My CD player is designed in such a way that it pulls the disc in when it is manually inserted halfway into the slot. I have noticed that my CDs are getting small, barely noticeable scratches--apparently from my player. The discs still play properly. Any insight or advice you can give on this subject will be appreciated.

-Margaret Samardak, Orchard Park, N.Y.

A. I have received letters from owners of other CD players about scratches that occur as a result of the discs being pulled in by the mechanisms. I have to think that there are rough surfaces that come into contact with the discs as they move in and out If the player is new, have it serviced under warranty. If the warranty has run out, maybe you will want to open the player and check into the problem yourself. Hopefully, you will see the complete path taken by the discs as they enter and are later ejected. Unfortunately, this is not always easy to do.

You should expect to see guides that eventually place the disc on its spindle. One of these guides probably has some rough edges. A light touch with a fine file will smooth these edges just enough to avoid scratching the CD. Whatever you do, only remove enough material to prevent scratching the discs. Removing too much material could result in poor guiding or worse scratching of the CD.

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(Source: Audio magazine, Nov. 1991, JOSEPH GIOVANELLI)

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