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USB to 12V trigger input?

If the 5V from the USB is not enough to power the trigger relay there are 5V to 12V USB voltage step up converter cables available:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J6NYVJV/
If you don't want cut up the cable and/or can't solder to get the 1/8" plug for a normal trigger input you will need a 5.5x2.1mm to 3.5mm (1/8") adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08745PD8Z/
Unfortunately these are intended for guitar effects devices and they reverse polarity so you need one of these to invert it first:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016XFCVSY/
 
Hello. Would either of these cables work as a trigger?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32847334072.html?pdp_npi=2@dis!USD!0.80!0.80!!!!!@21135c3d16599415706857203e94ad!65200117796!affd&dp=570222-142932.44913360&aff_fcid=741267dee5604e7d9467e767f607b12d-1659941570959-04447&aff_fsk&aff_platform=api-new-product-detail&sk&aff_trace_key=741267dee5604e7d9467e767f607b12d-1659941570959-04447&terminal_id=f18f389175e148a89167c907c4740f21&afSmartRedirect=y
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003778335365.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.49692a4esGhLJW&algo_pvid=69343ecb-27f1-4c12-b868-25df11b8bb7e&algo_exp_id=69343ecb-27f1-4c12-b868-25df11b8bb7e-40&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000027134507995"}&pdp_npi=2@dis!EUR!1.21!1.21!!!!!@2103399116599513560663842e563c!12000027134507995!sea&curPageLogUid=hZ4JsGxhImI4
Alternatively, can the Av output (3.5mm) from the android tv box be used as a trigger?
 
Last edited:
jaro911 said:
Hello. Would either of these cables work as a trigger?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32847334072.html?pdp_npi=2@dis!USD!0.80!0.80!!!!!@21135c3d16599415706857203e94ad!65200117796!affd&dp=570222-142932.44913360&aff_fcid=741267dee5604e7d9467e767f607b12d-1659941570959-04447&aff_fsk&aff_platform=api-new-product-detail&sk&aff_trace_key=741267dee5604e7d9467e767f607b12d-1659941570959-04447&terminal_id=f18f389175e148a89167c907c4740f21&afSmartRedirect=y
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003778335365.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.49692a4esGhLJW&algo_pvid=69343ecb-27f1-4c12-b868-25df11b8bb7e&algo_exp_id=69343ecb-27f1-4c12-b868-25df11b8bb7e-40&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000027134507995"}&pdp_npi=2@dis!EUR!1.21!1.21!!!!!@2103399116599513560663842e563c!12000027134507995!sea&curPageLogUid=hZ4JsGxhImI4
Alternatively, can the Av output (3.5mm) from the android tv box be used as a trigger?
Click to expand...
I think the Aliexpress cable looks promising - the text seems to suggest that it is to be used for charging and the audio jack looks right. And the price is right too! Too bad about shipping. I think the AV output is less promising - you want DC power, not an audio signal for the trigger. Good luck.
 
jaro911 said:
Hello. Would either of these cables work as a trigger?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32847334072.html?pdp_npi=2@dis!USD!0.80!0.80!!!!!@21135c3d16599415706857203e94ad!65200117796!affd&dp=570222-142932.44913360&aff_fcid=741267dee5604e7d9467e767f607b12d-1659941570959-04447&aff_fsk&aff_platform=api-new-product-detail&sk&aff_trace_key=741267dee5604e7d9467e767f607b12d-1659941570959-04447&terminal_id=f18f389175e148a89167c907c4740f21&afSmartRedirect=y
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003778335365.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.49692a4esGhLJW&algo_pvid=69343ecb-27f1-4c12-b868-25df11b8bb7e&algo_exp_id=69343ecb-27f1-4c12-b868-25df11b8bb7e-40&pdp_ext_f={"sku_id":"12000027134507995"}&pdp_npi=2@dis!EUR!1.21!1.21!!!!!@2103399116599513560663842e563c!12000027134507995!sea&curPageLogUid=hZ4JsGxhImI4
Alternatively, can the Av output (3.5mm) from the android tv box be used as a trigger?
Click to expand...
Hi, just want to thank you for this find. I purchased the first cable and I managed to get the 12V trigger of my Topping A90D to turn on and off from my PC.
 
jaro911 said:
I'm glad it works for you.
Click to expand...
I also purchased the Aliexpress cable and replaced my home brew solution. Much tidier! Previously, I suggested this could be a business opportunity - apparently someone else agreed!
 
I found this which you can add into the mix in order to trigger additional devices: From Emotiva a Trigger Expansion Module.

emotiva.com

ET-3 Trigger Expansion Module

The ET-3 is a handy little device that improves the flexibility of the basic trigger functionality on your preamp or processor. Shop preamp accessories today!
emotiva.com emotiva.com

For Me, I"m planning on plugging my pre-amp into an autosensing plug strip with this device plugged into one of the switched ports. This should trigger my monoblocks and sub.
 
When I read the OPs question the electronics engineer bit of me said; 'optical isolation' and a small '23A' 12V battery (plus a few other bits) would do this, but hey it seems that 5V from the USB connection is enough to reliably trigger the 12V sense lines, so why not!

Well i'll tell you why not, because it would be a fun little project and you would have the satisfaction that you have a control signal path between your two items of kit which include galvanic isolation built in due to the opto-coupler. Alternatively, you could use a tiny reed relay instead of the opto-coupler, for that retro 1960's vibe :0)

My power amp doesn't have a 12V trigger input, but I am still quite tempted to build such a lead just for the fun of it.
 
Last edited:
roog said:
When I read the OPs question the electronics engineer bit of me said; 'optical isolation' and a small '23A' 12V battery (plus a few other bits) would do this, but hey it seems that 5V from the USB connection is enough to reliably trigger the 12V sense lines, so why not!

Well i'll tell you why not, because it would be a fun little project and you would have the satisfaction that you have a control signal path between your two items of kit which include galvanic isolation built in due to the opto-coupler. Alternatively, you could use a tiny reed relay instead of the opto-coupler, for that retro 1960's vibe :0)

My power amp doesn't have a 12V trigger input, but I am still quite tempted to build such a lead just for the fun of it.
Click to expand...
From my understanding from a producer/seller of NCx models, the 5V isn’t enough to trigger a 12V in on a poweramp.
 
Redwine said:
From my understanding from a producer/seller of NCx models, the 5V isn’t enough to trigger a 12V in on a poweramp.
Click to expand...

Oh wow, there is perhaps some justification for my Rube Goldberg* idea after all!

*Heath Robinson if you are in the UK!
 
The Hypex NC502MP datasheet shows the minimum voltage for pin activation is 3.3V.
NC502mp_ps_enable.png
 
Redwine said:
From my understanding from a producer/seller of NCx models, the 5V isn’t enough to trigger a 12V in on a poweramp.
Click to expand...

Indeed, I have ordered the Aliexpress cable from USB to mono jack advised here but it didn't work on y Apollon NCx500 although this data sheet here below
Flexecutioner said:
The Hypex NC502MP datasheet shows the minimum voltage for pin activation is 3.3V.
View attachment 298310
Click to expand...
Dundas said:
If the 5V from the USB is not enough to power the trigger relay there are 5V to 12V USB voltage step up converter cables available:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J6NYVJV/
If you don't want cut up the cable and/or can't solder to get the 1/8" plug for a normal trigger input you will need a 5.5x2.1mm to 3.5mm (1/8") adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08745PD8Z/
Unfortunately these are intended for guitar effects devices and they reverse polarity so you need one of these to invert it first:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016XFCVSY/
Click to expand...

I have ordered your first item + this one : https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B08M5MKFV1?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details and it works perfectly (sorry French Amazon link)
I tried with as well https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B07YDPC7JT?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details but it doesn't work properly and each time. I tried with the 9 volts and didn't work neither.
It seems that my amp only accept 12 volts.
My configuration is MiniDSP SHD to Apollon NCx500 with the USB port to the trigger in
 
tprevett said:
I found this which you can add into the mix in order to trigger additional devices: From Emotiva a Trigger Expansion Module.

emotiva.com

ET-3 Trigger Expansion Module

The ET-3 is a handy little device that improves the flexibility of the basic trigger functionality on your preamp or processor. Shop preamp accessories today!
emotiva.com emotiva.com

For Me, I"m planning on plugging my pre-amp into an autosensing plug strip with this device plugged into one of the switched ports. This should trigger my monoblocks and sub.
Click to expand...
I received the Emotiva Trigger expansion module. This worked perfectly using USB voltage as the trigger... Triggers my SVS sub, and 2 NCx500 Monoblocks.
 
A digital usb input might not - to be honest, I’m not experienced with that at all so wouldn’t be able to say. But if it is a usb port which *powers* an external harddrive or general usb peripheral (e.g. CD drive), it can’t function without “electricity”.
 
SD2KING said:
Looking to do the same for the Mini-I 4. I need a 6 to 18 v signal for it to turn on my amp (Nilai500DIY). Did you get any further with your set-up?
Click to expand...
Yes and no. I came up with a solution that works reasonably well and is still in service:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...rol-12v-amp-trigger.24288/page-2#post-1019792

I was not able to get power out of the USB on the mini. Someone mentioned that it only sends current to the USB port when USB is selected as the input. That would not have worked for me.
 
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