Using Notebook Computer as CD-Player

July 26, 2005 2:23 PM

Sound output of notebook computer (Powerbook) too low to drive Bose Wave Radio input; inexpensive solution?

A few years ago, I was delighted with the sound quality achieved by running a CD Player into the input of my Bose Wave Radio. A few minutes ago, I just discovered that the same does not obtain when I connect my Powerbook through good audio cables (and a stereo miniplug to RCA plug converter) to the Wave Radio. I didn't know the output of a conventional CD Player was so high (as compared to my Powerbook). Short of going to amplified speakers that won't sound as good as the Wave Radio, any other solution?

posted by ParisParamus to computers & internet (15 comments total)

Also, what I don't understand is that the same output drives walkman/ipod-type headphones perfectly well. Is it possible that the Radio Shack-quality miniplug-to-RCA converter jack is attenuating the signal?
posted by ParisParamus at 2:51 PM on July 26, 2005

The Griffin iMic might do the trick. It uses your USB port and gives you both a dedicated line in and line out. It should provide a better signal than your built-in headphone jack.
posted by pmbuko at 2:55 PM on July 26, 2005

Any decently constructed miniplug-to-RCA cable, even if it's really thin, should not adversely affect the signal unless it is longer than a few meters. If anything, it would roll off the treble and bass, while not affecting the overall loudness of the audio.
posted by pmbuko at 2:58 PM on July 26, 2005

The output from a PowerBook should be broadly equivalent to that of a line out when the system volume is turned right up. What actually happens?
posted by cillit bang at 2:59 PM on July 26, 2005

Yes, it should be sufficient. My iBook plugs into a stereo system and it sounds fine. You may have to turn the volume all the way up on the Powerbook.
posted by Mo Nickels at 3:38 PM on July 26, 2005

Assuming you're running XP...

In the systems tray double click on the speaker icon and turn all the volumes to their highest. You can also do the same through the control panel, sound and audio devices. Then click the audio tab at the top and select Sound play back: volume.

I've had the same problem before.
posted by 517 at 3:55 PM on July 26, 2005

...and never mind.
posted by 517 at 3:58 PM on July 26, 2005

Failing all of the above, a headphone amplifier would do the trick.
posted by curtm at 4:06 PM on July 26, 2005

Are you sure the line-in on the Bose is working right? As others have said, you should definitely have enough signal out of the Powerbook headphone jack with the volume up. Something is amiss here. Might be a bad cable or adapter. Under OS X, the system's audio settings will sometimes reset when something is plugged into the headphone jack, though they should reset to "headphone out" preferences. Click on System Preferences->Sound->Output and make sure the output volume slider is up a ways. And quit and restart whatever audio-generating application you are using if you plug in the line cable mid-session. Agree that there is no way even the cheapest RCA->mini cable (are you sure it's stereo?) would impact the actual voltage of the signal significantly over all but a very long run.
posted by realcountrymusic at 4:15 PM on July 26, 2005

OK. Just bought a glod plated converter plug, and it sounds better, but still nowhere near as good as the real CD Player. Maybe it has a bit to do with the 2M cables I'm using, but in any case, but that's almost required I guess I'll just buy a DVD player; not worth experimenting and spending, in the end, just as much as a DVD player of decent quality/fidelity. Or I'll find one at a stoop sale. Thanks for the suggestions, in any case.
posted by ParisParamus at 4:21 PM on July 26, 2005

It should work if you have the volume cranked up. Gold plating and cable quality are completely moot, none of that stuff will have a noticeable effect on sound quality.

Either the headphone jack of your Powerbook is busted, or the line input of your audio system is busted.
posted by majick at 5:15 PM on July 26, 2005

LOL on the best answer selection Paris.
posted by realcountrymusic at 5:48 PM on July 26, 2005

The iMic would definitely work, or any of a similar class of products, such as a Xitel Hi-Fi Link, or similar.

Also, while I'm not a powerbook user, I know that certain other brands of notebooks have a physical external volume control (typically a wheel thingy next to the headphone output), that attenuates the signal seperately from the volume set in software - that would be a potential culprit, if powerbooks have those.
posted by kickingtheground at 6:14 PM on July 26, 2005

Nope, kickingtheground. I guess I'm stuck in the 1970's: outputs are either for preamps, and have phonoplugs; or for amps, and work with everything else. Say, is Tech Hi-Fi still open?
posted by ParisParamus at 7:23 PM on July 26, 2005

For what it's worth, I just hooked my powerbook (12" rev A) to my Bose Wave with a 2m 1/8" to RCA cable to see if I could duplicate the problem.

It worked absolutely fine... no issues with volume or clarity. (system volume and itunes volume were both all the way up)
posted by mosch at 9:25 PM on July 26, 2005