Mods, I don’t really know where to put this, since it is sort of music-related, and people’s opinions could well come into play, but I think there is an actual factual answer, so I’m starting it out in GQ. Feel free to move it wherever is appropriate.
I’ve got a situation with my home stereo system. It’s Nakamichi components, OMS-5AII CD player and TA-4A tuner/amp, which has an RM-4TA remote control. The CD player has no sensor for the remote control, but does have a jack labeled “System Remote” (which is an 8 hole thing, circular about 1/2-3/4 of an inch in diameter. I’m sure there’s a name for it, but I don’t know it) in the back. The remote, however, has the ability to operate a CD player. The question is: how do I do this? I’m guessing I need to get a “system remote” which the remote can control. What/which one, and where could I find it?
I have talked to the stereo store where it was originally purchased (several years ago), and they said “It can probably be done. I don’t know how. Talk to Nakamichi.” I emailed Nakamichi a few days ago and have yet to hear from them, so any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
I can’t tell you specifically for your equipment, since I’m unfamiliar with it. However, in general this sort of thing is set up with a special cable connected between the receiver head and the device to be controlled, in this case the CD player. If there is not a matching connector on the back of the receiver, there’s little you can do, in most cases, except to try to locate a receiver model that supports this feature. The idea here is to have the receiver pick up and decode the remote signals and then activate the appropriate functions on the accessory device.
We had problems with Nakamichi Customer Support, we were told the extra grill covers for our Soundspace stereo speakers were “In the Mail”, they never came. CS was impossible to deal with - hard to get a hold of (even by phone - no replies to any emails ever). We got sick of trying, and gave up. Good luck.
Q.E.D, there is a jack of the same type (2 actually) in the back of the reciever, but they’re both labeled for the tape player. If I got the cable, and used one of those jacks, do you think the remote’s tape control ability work for the CD player (albeit with weird labels…fast forward buton pausing or whatever)?
Boscibo good to know. In my experience most companies are pretty fast on the response when you imply you’ll be giving them money, and I was wondering way Nak was taking so long.
I’m off to find out how much the cable costs, and might give it a shot.
You could try it. You may find that some functions don’t work, or even more strangely, are operated by a different remote button than they ought to be; but if the cable is inexpensive enough, it’s worth a shot. I can’t see it hurting anything, at any rate. I’ll look around and see if I can find any documentation online anyplace.
So much for that idea. Nakamichi’s website has no product manuals, and Googling for it brought up just two pages, neither of which actually had it. You can try contacting Nakamichi sales/support at servicesupport@nakamichi.com.
No joy on finding the cable, Radio Shack had never seen anything like it, Circuit City tried to convince me it was a PS/2 cable (connecting keyboard/mouse thing), and there aren’t any other stores of that nature in town here. We need a Fry’s. Both of the stereo stores in town are closed until Tuesday, so I’m gonna go check there tommorrow.
Q.E.D., you really went above and beyond. Many thanks. When I originally emailed Nakamichi, I used the address you gave, still haven’t heard from them.