Cassette deck source/tape monitor switch

The monitor switch on the deck selects whether the output signals from the deck are derived from what is coming off the tape, or from what is going into the deck's record inputs.

If you just want to play back tapes, you can hook the deck's outputs into any line level inputs of the preamp, and select the monitor position of the switch on the deck.

What you miss by not having a tape loop on the preamp is the ability to route to the deck's record inputs the signals from other sources that may be connected to the preamp's inputs, and the ability to switch back and forth on the preamp between the source signal and the recorded signal coming off of the tape (which would facilitate optimizing the settings on the deck that relate to recording).

Regards,
-- Al

After making my previous post, I found a picture of the rear panel of the Prologue 3, which shows it as having a pair of tape out jacks. So you apparently CAN select one of the other source components which may be connected to the preamp, and have its signals routed into the tape deck for recording.

However, you have to be very careful about that. Since the preamp has no tape in jacks, and no tape monitor switch, you can only route the outputs of the tape deck into the preamp's aux or other line-level inputs. If you were to select that input on the preamp, the tape deck's output would essentially be routed to its input. If you then had the deck's monitor switch in the source (non-monitor) position, you would have a feedback loop that would put an extremely loud oscillation into your system.

So if you want to have the deck's record inputs connected, be absolutely certain that you only select the tape deck's outputs on the preamp's selector switch when the deck's monitor switch is in the monitor position. If you don't plan on doing any recording, it would be best to leave the deck's record inputs, and the preamp's tape outputs, unconnected.

Regards,
-- Al

Yes, I agree with Arnold's response. The only way to route the deck's output into your system is to use the preamp's input selector switch to select the aux or other line-level input to which the deck is connected. When you do that, you are no longer routing the cd player's output to the deck's input, you are routing the deck's output to its input (which can be dangerous, as I explained).

When the preamp's source selector switch is set to the cd player, you are routing the cd player's output into your power amp and speakers (and to the tape deck's record inputs) regardless of what the tape deck's monitor switch may be set to.

Regards,
-- Al