How to connect output from a headphone jack to a phono input

We have an older receiver that I would like to connect the headphone jack of an MP3 players to for playback, but the only available input is RCA phono jacks. I have an adapter, and I get sound, but it is very weak. My first reaction was to find some type of small amplifier, but even then, I am not sure what input to connect to. I am assuming there is an impedance or voltage mismatch, but I am out of my depth here. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jack

The signal from the headphone output is roughly in the range you need, so the weak sound must be an issue with the adapters / cable.

Maybe post a picture of what you're using.

Jack, you need a 3.5mm TRS to "stereo" RCA plugs. The last time I bought some, I ordered these:

Check and make sure you've selected the correct input on the front panel. If you plugged into the "tape monitor" inputs, you'll need to find the switch or button on front... Don't use the "phono" input, it's intended for a record player cartridge (tiny level and very specific EQ).

Also the headphone output level of the MP3 player is very hot compared to the various "line" level inputs on the receiver.

Typically the headphone output of a home AV receiver is variable with the main volume knob that also would adjust the volume to your surround sound speakers.
On many receivers, you can disable the speaker amplifiers so it's only outputting from the headphone port and you can turn the volume up all the way.
Some (maybe only Yamaha) receivers have a feature called "Silent Cinema" where plugging into the headphone jack pushes an internal button that disables the speaker amplifier output automatically.

00AVD said:

The signal from the headphone output is roughly in the range you need, so the weak sound must be an issue with the adapters / cable.

Maybe post a picture of what you're using.

Click to expand...

Pretty much looks like the image below. Might not be as good quality.

Like I said, the headphones are connected to the plugs on the back of the receiver that say Phono. Those are the only inputs available, the rest are already in use.

As you have found, driving a phonograph input with anything other than a magnetic or ceramic cartridge doesn't work. A magnetic pickup wants something in the 47,000 ohm range and a ceramic would prefer 500,000 ohms or more. The headphone output jack is typically 32 ohms. The massive mismatch is part of the problem. Another issue is that phonograph inputs have RIAA equalization, the input will boost the low frequencies and cut the high frequencies. This will make the audio from any other source than a vinyl record sound odd if not just plain unlistenable. You will still have an impedance mismatch with a regular AUX input but its much smaller and you can usually get away with it.

Your best bet is to find a RCA switch that will let you use another input with 2 or more devices. They start at $10 on Amazon. They will also switch video but you don't need to plug anything into the video jacks, you can just use the audio switching. And don't forget to run the volume up on the MP3 player. I tend to turn it up all the way then back it down a notch or two as less expensive players will overdrive the output at full volume which causes distortion and is hard on things.

Michael

Gotta show us front/back photos or give us a model number on the receiver you're using.

Also, have you confirmed that the cable is good on another device or tried swapping a different cable in?

Does your MP3 Player accept a Tip Ring, Ring, Sleeve, type cable? or rather, if you have a set of headphones with an inline volume control does the player allow you to change volume, skip and replay. If so you are going to need another adapter that converts a TRRS to a TRS and plug your current adapter into that OR you are going to need a TRRS to 2xRCA adapter.

jack63ss said:

Like I said, the headphones are connected to the plugs on the back of the receiver that say Phono. Those are the only inputs available, the rest are already in use.

Click to expand...

Like I said, those are not suitable. Period. The phono input has a non-defeatable RIAA equalization curve built in.

I'd say it's time to add a mixer.

TimMc said:

Like I said, those are not suitable. Period. The phono input has a non-defeatable RIAA equalization curve built in.

I'd say it's time to add a mixer.

Click to expand...

@jack63ss I believe we've beaten this into submission at least once before.
Headphone outputs are unbalanced and stereo.
Recording engineers routinely place vocals and lead instruments dead center with reverb and other effects in stereo panned to varying degrees left and right of center. When played back through a stereo input, or two mono inputs panned left and right of center, all's well and sounds as designed / desired / recorded.

When played back in mono, the common elements are cancelled out resulting in no lead vocals &/or instruments leaving only the thin, hollow, sounds of the reverb and effects. I suspect we're flogging that same poor horse one more time.
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard

Say what???? I think you're confusing stereo -> mono and stereo -> balanced input. The later will cause cancellation. The former does not.

00AVD is correct. The connection that causes problems is to plug an unbalanced, stereo output into a balanced, mono input. That's not the situation here.