[plug] Altering Gains on Multiple Audio Files

[Daniel Pittman]

Jason Posavec <jasonposavec at iinet.net.au> writes:
> Daniel Pittman wrote:
>> What he needs is something that generates a line-level output, which the
>> headphone socket can't deliver.  You might get something that had a
>> headphone input on one side and a line-out on the other...
>
> So how does an iPod do so well, then? Or does that have a line-out?

No idea, as I don't own one.  Apple are, if anything, more restrictive
of their software and hardware than Microsoft, so I avoid leasing[1]
anything from them.

A quick check says that it does, on the "dock" interface, which is what
is available when you use any of the cradle things that amplifier
manufacturers and other CE providers use to connect them.


The headphone output might also work if the levels are about right, or
they might be like running 4 Ohm speakers on a regular amp: just fine,
except that they generate enough extra heat from the additional load
that the amplifier eventually melts.


In other words: you /can/ get acceptable results, for a variety of
reasons, as well as bad results, or disaster.  Unless you actually know
the specs of the hardware on both sides you are taking quite a gamble.

Regards,
        Daniel

It amazed me that this was true when I first learned it, many years ago.

Footnotes: 
[1]  I don't think the term "buying" is really appropriate if I don't
     actually control anything about the system, and they can remotely
     change the set of features at any point in time.