HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

We are designing cases for our new integrated amplifier. Earlier NVA integrated amps had 'Tape, Aux, Video, Tuner, Disc, CD. Would you keep the same? Would you change the names? Would you do away with the names and just have numbers? Would you have very minimal markings - just input and volume? What do you think?

savvypaul wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:30 am We are designing cases for our new integrated amplifier. Earlier NVA integrated amps had 'Tape, Aux, Video, Tuner, Disc, CD. Would you keep the same? Would you change the names? Would you do away with the names and just have numbers? Would you have very minimal markings - just input and volume? What do you think?

My Moth passive pre-amp has no markings, entirely reasonable as you can put any source into any input. It is, of course, necessary to remember what source you put into which input. The only input that needs identification is phono if there is a phono stage built in.

As (these days) inputs are either line or phono why not use Line 1, Line 2 etc for line inputs ?

Then the input selector can be 1, 2, 3 etc.

Does anyone really need a tape out these days ?

valvesRus wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:59 am
Does anyone really need a tape out these days ?

They don't need it marked on the front but they might want the tape out facility to connect a headphone amplifier...

Just numbers, 1,2,3 ect on the front.

I dont put any markings on at all unless im asked to. Anyone can feel the difference between a switch and an attenuator of some sort

On the rear, mark the tape loop as tape in tape out if it has one otherwise people run the risk of connecting the power amp to the fixed output part of the tape loop and getting a full blast signal with no attenuation.

I space the inputs well away from the outputs so you can visually tell whats what without any marking. Red socket top, black/white socket bottom. Say 3 inputs grouped together on the far left then one output on the far right, and maybe a tape loop on its own somewhere inbetween.

valvesRus wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:59 am Does anyone really need a tape out these days ?

Yes

Although it might be more usefully termed “direct out”.

Numbered, or nothing, both work for me.

Geoff.R.G wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 12:26 pm

valvesRus wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:59 am Does anyone really need a tape out these days ?

Yes

Although it might be more usefully termed “direct out”.

'Line Out' perhaps?

Tape in & out is a bit archaic in the digital era.

Fretless wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 12:43 pm

Geoff.R.G wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 12:26 pm

valvesRus wrote: ↑Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:59 am Does anyone really need a tape out these days ?

Yes

Although it might be more usefully termed “direct out”.

'Line Out' perhaps?

Tape in & out is a bit archaic in the digital era.

My only problem with calling it "Line Out" is that the main output is also a line out, "Direct Out" is what is used on mixers and is usually pre-fade allowing the output to be fed without any influence of the rest of the desk. A Tape Out is similar in that it comes before the volume control.

There is also the possibility of 'Line Out Fixed' and 'Line Out Variable',
but 'Direct Out' is more, um, direct.