Laptop Headphone to Hifi AUX

[nilblade]

I hope I am posting this in the right place, sorry if not...

I am currently connecting my laptop via headphone jack, I have no line out) to the AUX on my hifi (Panasonic SC-HC29DB), I am finding that the volume on the laptop has to be 50% or more to get a decent sound on my Hifi. Is this normal?

Would a USB DAC /Headphone amp help?

What signal level is expected by the AUX jack, and what is the headphone port on the average laptop able to provide. I have some idea of what the issue is - but Im not sure what the correct solution is

if some one could point me in the right direction - it would be appreciated

Thanks

I am finding the same occurs when connecting to the hifi via bluetooth.

 

[Tromperie]

I am currently connecting my laptop via headphone jack, I have no line out) to the AUX on my hifi (Panasonic SC-HC29DB), I am finding that the volume on the laptop has to be 50% or more to get a decent sound on my Hifi. Is this normal?

From my understanding, it is normal. When you connect, say, a CD player, the signal out is the unattenuated signal (100%) which is then modified by the analog pre-amp volume control. A volume control reduces the signal substantially, effectively nearly 100%, at the anti-clockwise point of rotation, and progressively reduces the impedance allowing a higher signal voltage through to the amplifier section as the volume control is rotated clockwise. Many, including mine, also boost the signal when it gets past a certain point.

You could leave the the laptop volume at 100% and just use hifi volume control. Alternatively, if there are other inputs to the hifi, you could set a level so that all will have roughly the same volume at the same point of volume control rotation. I use Daphile and set the initial volume at 25% to avoid the possibility of blowing my active speakers up, if the pre-amp is wound up too far.

 

[sgrossklass]

My parents have a similar (older) Panasonic unit, and as you may have guessed, the line-in requires a fair bit of oomph even in high gain mode, and I usually preferred to use my Clip+ via a portable headphone amp.

Specifications on this unit are pretty dire, unfortunately, yielding no more than the aux input being a 3.5 mm job. <insert page-long rant on how not all consumers are f***ing idiots and manufacturers should be ashamed of themselves here>

Maximum output level would depend upon sound chip and its implementation. If it's got a +5V analog supply available, expect 1.0-1.2V-ish tops. With +3.3 V only, more like 0.8 Vrms, and note that full output gain may run the output stage into clipping - verify with sine test tones. Software mixer facilities may reduce levels by a few dB.

Contemporary Windows versions allow switching between % and dB display in output device properties, Level tab, if you right-click the value. 50% typically corresponds to -10 dB, so the control characteristic is neither true lin nor true log.

 

[mike50]

My job involves connecting a number of laptop headphone sockets to the theatre PA system. My first comment is always along the lines of "set your volume to around three quarters full, and play me something " That usually gives me enough to run the desk at sensible levels.