On Wed, 4 Feb 2015 05:06:40 -0800 (PST), Tim R <
timot...@aol.com>
wrote:
One of the reasons this is confusing is that line level (or signal
level as you called it) is about 1.5 volts max. The voltage going to
small speakers is often a similar voltage. The difference is that
line level drives high impedance inputs so the current is very low and
not much power is transferred. However, with speakers, they often
have a much lower impedance (eg, 8 ohms) and therefore draw more
current and therefore more power. Outputs designed to drive speakers
can therefore be more easily damaged if shorted to ground or each
other. Since the voltages in question are similar, both can be used
to drive the input of your amplifier. We can't be sure how to answer
your question without knowing about the output of the TV. One very
simple circuit you can use if the TV only has speaker outputs is to
simply place some resistors in series with the signal. Almost any
value 1K, 10K, even 100K will do. The result is complete protection
for the amp in the TV because it is designed to drive speakers (8 ohm
or 4 ohm or similarly low values) and now you have thousands of ohms
in series with it. The signal after the resister can no longer drive
speakers but it can still drive the high impedence inputs of your
external amp.
Once again, though, if your TV has line level audio out (usually white
and red RCA connectors), you can just bridge them together and not
worry about any of this.
Good Luck,
Pat