Grundig 140 to computer - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Woodfordman · 24th Aug 2019, 3:08 pm

I have purchased a Grundig TK140 to transfer some old recordings to my computer. The tape recorder is fine and works well after cleaning but am having difficulty connecting up to the computer.

In another thread I read that the the 5 pin Din socket top left rear is for both record and play back and is the one to use but apparently I need a 3 pin din to 3.5 mm jack to get the sound across to the computer.

As a novice I suppose I should first ask if that sounds correct and if so where do I purchase such a lead?

Any help would be appreciated.

Ryan_1993 · 24th Aug 2019, 5:54 pm

It might be worth running this Reel to reel through an external Hifi amplifier and using the headphone output from the amp with a normal audio cable. Just plug the reel to reel into the amplifier with a 5 pin din.

Several of the vintage amps I own have a five pin din and RCA cables for the tape loop. So if you have any older amps laying round check and see if there is any din plug connectors on the rear for the tape input/output.

paulsherwin · 24th Aug 2019, 6:03 pm

5 pin DIN to 3.5mm stereo jack leads can be bought for a pound or two on eBay, but 3 pin DIN leads are much rarer (they are only used with mono gear). You may need to buy the plugs and make up the cable yourself.

You can actually bodge the DIN connection as a one off, using cocktail sticks or bent paperclips to hold the bare wires in the socket holes.

Woodfordman · 24th Aug 2019, 7:41 pm

Thanks. Any idea which three pins I should use to "bodge" it?

paulsherwin · 24th Aug 2019, 8:04 pm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIN_connector

It's a mono connector. The centre pin is earth (screen) and the signal will be on one of the other two pins. Just experiment. You will need to connect both channels of the stereo cable to the mono signal.

You can scavenge a suitable cable from a scrap pair of earbuds or headphones.

24th Aug 2019, 3:08 pm	#1
Woodfordman Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Ilford, Essex, UK. Posts: 9	Grundig 140 to computer I have purchased a Grundig TK140 to transfer some old recordings to my computer. The tape recorder is fine and works well after cleaning but am having difficulty connecting up to the computer. In another thread I read that the the 5 pin Din socket top left rear is for both record and play back and is the one to use but apparently I need a 3 pin din to 3.5 mm jack to get the sound across to the computer. As a novice I suppose I should first ask if that sounds correct and if so where do I purchase such a lead? Any help would be appreciated.

24th Aug 2019, 5:54 pm	#2
Ryan_1993 Hexode Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 329	Re: Grundig 140 to computer It might be worth running this Reel to reel through an external Hifi amplifier and using the headphone output from the amp with a normal audio cable. Just plug the reel to reel into the amplifier with a 5 pin din. Several of the vintage amps I own have a five pin din and RCA cables for the tape loop. So if you have any older amps laying round check and see if there is any din plug connectors on the rear for the tape input/output.

24th Aug 2019, 6:03 pm	#3
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,943	Re: Grundig 140 to computer 5 pin DIN to 3.5mm stereo jack leads can be bought for a pound or two on eBay, but 3 pin DIN leads are much rarer (they are only used with mono gear). You may need to buy the plugs and make up the cable yourself. You can actually bodge the DIN connection as a one off, using cocktail sticks or bent paperclips to hold the bare wires in the socket holes.

24th Aug 2019, 7:41 pm	#4
Woodfordman Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Ilford, Essex, UK. Posts: 9	Re: Grundig 140 to computer Thanks. Any idea which three pins I should use to "bodge" it?

24th Aug 2019, 8:04 pm	#5
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,943	Re: Grundig 140 to computer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIN_connector It's a mono connector. The centre pin is earth (screen) and the signal will be on one of the other two pins. Just experiment. You will need to connect both channels of the stereo cable to the mono signal. You can scavenge a suitable cable from a scrap pair of earbuds or headphones.