12V Trigger

It's basically a headphone plug at each end. Stereo is supposed to work best, but results are inconsistent. Mono might work.

It is possible that you may need to configure your Yamaha to use the 12v trigger to turn on the amp. So check your manual.


Emo claims that their amps have surge protectors built in and don't want you to hook it up via anything that might restrict the current draw.

I don't think I'd really worry about it too much one way or the other. It's not like there's some way then could tell what you had it plugged into.

It is a mini jack, Radio Shack, $2...

Both units are plugged into the wall for power, if you set your amp to turn on via 12v trigger, the power button is always on, and when you run the 1/8" cable from your pre/amp/receiver 12v trigger output to the amp trigger input, the preamp will tell the amp to turn on also... simple... it says "Hey its time to work - so wake up !!!"


BTW mono works just fine for this cable option.

Ah, I see what you mean. It's not entirely clear to me to be honest. I THINK, it means you shouldn't connect the trigger cable to something plugged directly into a wall socket. There are some devices that can be used with the cable to trigger the 12v signal for avrs or pre/pros that don't have a 12v trigger connection. I think that is what they mean by "plugged directly into a wall socket

I would post a question on their web boards or call them directly. They seem to be pretty good about answering questions.


Some people hear a buzz from their plasmas. I don't know specifically, but I suspect that is why they say that.

It may also be a power issue. A plasma can consume 400-500 watts and if you have an XPA-5 that draws 1kW, you might be getting close to overloading the circuit.


Their suggestion is that it be plugged into an outlet directly, ideally on a circuit that isn't being used for anything else. But it's not something I would really worry too much about. You'd probably be going rapidly deaf if you had one of their amps cranked up all the way.


This is longer than you need probably, but it is the kind you want. It's a male/male 3.5 mm stereo cable.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2


Yes, that is exactly how it works. As far as the best way, it doesn't really matter. It's the most convenient certainly.

There's negligible price difference, I would just go with the stereo. They are supposed to work best. Nominally it shouldn't make a difference though.

You'll have to consult the emotiva literature as to what kind of jack it is for their 12v trigger, and buy an appropriate cable. Usually, it is a mono cable. Tip is usually +12v, ring is usually ground. But again, sometimes manufacturers do weird things.

+1 to that....

I have an almost identical setup. I have a Denon 2809 and an XPA-3. 1/8" stereo cable from 12v trigger out of the Denon to 12v trigger in of the XPA-3. Power on the Denon and the XPA-3 immediately powers on. Same with power off. Very handy.

Bumping up an old thread...

It sounds like it doesn't matter if you use a stereo vs. a mono cable. Is that correct?

I'm trying to connect a Russound CAM6.6 to a pair of Audiosource AMP102's (CAM6.6 out --> AMP102#1 in; AMP102#1 out --> AMP102#2 in). All devices have 3.5mm 12V trigger jacks and the manuals say that the tip is + and the shield is -.

Monoprice doesn't sell mono 3.5mm cables. Stereo cables from monoprice are cheaper than mono cables from Radioshack ($1 each vs. $4 each) and I'm ordering a bunch of other stuff from monoprice anyway. Is there any reason to go with the mono cable? I assume the third conductor simply won't be used, right? Or is there a chance that the negative contacts on the Russound vs. Audiosource equipment might line up with different parts of the stereo cable?

Mono plug center being +. Here you go.... CHEAP !!!

http://www.markertek.com/Cables-Conn...-3.xhtml?M-M-3

That's the perfect cable (it's even 3' instead of Radioshack's 6'), but sadly $8.21 shipping kind of kills it...

I have a question about the 12v trigger. Is it ONLY for power on/off? Can it do other things like control volume?

I have a sony receiver that has a small headphone sized jack labeled remote in. remote in makes it sound like it would accept commands like a remote control... If the 12v trigger is only power on/off, how do people control the volume of their amps/zone 2?

12V trigger is only for powering up/down. The remote in is for an IR signal to be passed from one location to another. See IR repeater for more info.

Ironic that Monoprice does not sell mono cables eh? LOL.

But you shouldn't have a problem. You are supposed to use mono cables but since the tip is where the +12V is and the base is where the ground is, it's not like you can short anything out really. In a modern mono jack the ground contact should be in the same place it is in a stereo jack so that will be closer to the base of the plug. The centre part of the plug (which would usually be the left channel) will just go "unused"--i.e. it won't contact anything inside the jack.

Thanks. At 65 cents each, I think I'll probably go ahead and order a pair of the monoprice stereo cables and if they don't work well, we can always go to Radioshack and pick up a pair of $4 mono cables.

I set mine up a few days ago with a stereo cable - worked perfectly...