Okay, I'm new to the whole audio scene and just got myself a turntable and stereo system. But I'm having some problems. My parents and uncle and even grandma gave me all their old records, so obviously I was pretty happy, but needed a record player. And my surround sound system doesn't have a pre amp built in, so i decided to pick up a new stereo unit with a phono in. After my hunt I found a good deal on a Philips 437 Synchro Belt Drive system that needed some work, a new needle and belt, and some idiot duct taped it shut and got residue all over it, but heck it was only $15. Anyways all that is fixed now, and I also got a Realistic Modulette 939 with it, really good condition for $35 at the same place. I hooked those up and have it going out to some old speakers I found in my basement, two Realistic Minimus 7's. As well as up to my newer Bose 321 surround sound system that I also hooked up to my two Tv's in the room as well as like 8 game systems. Anyways here's the problem. It plays decently loud on radio and the built in cassette player, and I know records are usually quieter, but I can seriously only hear it from less than a foot away on full volume from the Realistic speakers, and a bit better on the Bose, but everything is super static-y. Is something wrong with my set up? I couldn't find if the speakers have a built in amp, I'm pretty sure the Bose system would have to. The needle was pretty cheap on Ebay, but I'm pretty sure that's not the problem, I'm not looking for anything super high quality and am on a pretty tight budget anyways. MY THEORY is that just MAYBE the capacitors for the pre amp on the Realistic radio are starting to go bad? It sounds kinda choppy on radio and cassette, but really bad on the phono input, plus it is like a 40 year old system. I need opinions. And no its not the cables, I've already checked.
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crazy-in-az
Uhhhh....
Welcome to AK!
First, is the turntable hooked up to the phono input of the receiver? If it's just hooked up to another input like tape or auxiliary it will be very quiet.
Second, does the turntable have a ground wire? Make sure you have the wire connected to the ground screw on the back of the receiver.
First, is the turntable hooked up to the phono input of the receiver? If it's just hooked up to another input like tape or auxiliary it will be very quiet.
Second, does the turntable have a ground wire? Make sure you have the wire connected to the ground screw on the back of the receiver.
rocknroll1
Well-Known Member
did you set up cartridge correctly? If you did not set the tonearm to the correct weight for your new cart, that could also cause the problem. Too light and you would very light and choppy sound.
sorry if this sounds dumb, but wouldn’t the stereo have a built in amp too? If not what kind of amp would you recommend that won’t cost me an arm and a leg
century tek
Addicted Member
You need phono preamp capabilities. Your receiver/integrated amplifier does have a built in power amplifier to drive the speakers.
Your turntable most likely has a magnetic cartridge and needs to be preamplified to line level. If your receiver doesn't have a specifically marked inputs for phono only, then you need an auxilliary outboard phono preamp for your turntable. If it is a ceramic cartridge turntable then the cartridge itself, not the needle, might be bad.
Pics?
Your turntable most likely has a magnetic cartridge and needs to be preamplified to line level. If your receiver doesn't have a specifically marked inputs for phono only, then you need an auxilliary outboard phono preamp for your turntable. If it is a ceramic cartridge turntable then the cartridge itself, not the needle, might be bad.
Pics?
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century tek
Addicted Member
Yup, ceramic!
That’s my setup. It does have the phono in. And as I said it’s going to my bose surround sound, and then the realistic speakers. Wouldn’t one of those have an amp in it too? Because if I’m right I need a preamp (which is in the realistic stereo system) and then I need an amp right? Or does it already have one?
Attachments
So my turntable is obviously going through the phone, The Bose goes through the front speakers, and the rear to the realistic speakers.
As CT Jim stated you do not have a completed ckt for the other speakers. You only have one “side” hooked up. The other side of the speaker wire needs to be hooked up.
century tek
Addicted Member
That Realistic has a built in stereo amplifier to drive speakers. Unfortunately it does not have a built in magnetic phono cartridge preamp.
Unfortunately, your "phono" input on that receiver is for a ceramic cartridge and not a magnetic cartridge such as the one on your turntable.
Those lower power bookshelf type cheapo solid state units used the term "phono" so you would know where to plug in the matching turntable that either came with it or was sold separately. Almost all of those were ceramic type cartridge turntables. You can look at your phono input as basically being a line level input like aux, tuner, or tape. Signal input may be a tad bit hotter but people like to plug their phones into the ceramic phono inputs, like what some of the old consoles have, with good results. If that's your only receiver then unfortunately that is your only line level input option.
In order for you to be able to use your turntable with this receiver, you are going to need a separate outboard magnetic phono preamp but the problem I see is that you only have a phono input and no other aux inputs which means that this phono input may be a little hotter and you might not like the results.
Maybe be on the lookout for a better receivers/integrated amplifiers specifically with built in magnetic cartridge phono input options. Lots and lots out there!
Unfortunately, your "phono" input on that receiver is for a ceramic cartridge and not a magnetic cartridge such as the one on your turntable.
Those lower power bookshelf type cheapo solid state units used the term "phono" so you would know where to plug in the matching turntable that either came with it or was sold separately. Almost all of those were ceramic type cartridge turntables. You can look at your phono input as basically being a line level input like aux, tuner, or tape. Signal input may be a tad bit hotter but people like to plug their phones into the ceramic phono inputs, like what some of the old consoles have, with good results. If that's your only receiver then unfortunately that is your only line level input option.
In order for you to be able to use your turntable with this receiver, you are going to need a separate outboard magnetic phono preamp but the problem I see is that you only have a phono input and no other aux inputs which means that this phono input may be a little hotter and you might not like the results.
Maybe be on the lookout for a better receivers/integrated amplifiers specifically with built in magnetic cartridge phono input options. Lots and lots out there!
Aww dang that sucks, thanks for being so helpful. So what would it sound like if I did have a magnetic preamp before the receiver? Would it be distorted? I just liked the design of the stereo and how it has the built in tape player. And if I do look for another, how can I tell if it has a magnetic or ceramic pre amp? Is it somewhat of a guessing game?That Realistic has a built in stereo amplifier to drive speakers. Unfortunately it does not have a built in magnetic phono cartridge preamp.
Unfortunately, your "phono" input on that receiver is for a ceramic cartridge and not a magnetic cartridge such as the one on your turntable.
Those lower power bookshelf type cheapo solid state units used the term "phono" so you would know where to plug in the matching turntable that either came with it or was sold separately. Almost all of those were ceramic type cartridge turntables. You can look at your phono input as basically being a line level input like aux, tuner, or tape. Signal input may be a tad bit hotter but people like to plug their phones into the ceramic phono inputs, like what some of the old consoles have, with good results. If that's your only receiver then unfortunately that is your only line level input option.
In order for you to be able to use your turntable with this receiver, you are going to need a separate outboard magnetic phono preamp but the problem I see is that you only have a phono input and no other aux inputs which means that this phono input may be a little hotter and you might not like the results.
Maybe be on the lookout for a better receivers/integrated amplifiers specifically with built in magnetic cartridge phono input options. Lots and lots out there!
century tek
Addicted Member
Look at the 70's Pioneer, Kenwood, Sansui, Marantz stuff. Browse e-bay and craigslist (no affil.) and see whats out there. If you see something interesting, just come on back here and show us and then we can pretty much determine if it has what you are looking for.
Decided to come back and tell you guys what happened, after all who likes an unfinished story? So after giving up hope and trying everything on it, I went back to the shop I got it from and talked to the guy who sold it to me, he told me when I checked out that he was really big into records, so I thought maybe he’d have an idea of the problem. The theory of the the preamp being for only a ceramic needle was right I guess, he said at the time he didn’t really even think about it that much. He was really cool, and said I could just bring it back for full refund or I could even put it towards a more expensive one (he had 4 others that were there on display as well with the wood grain with the metal front I love) and even said I could bring in the record player and try it out before I buy it to make sure it’ll work. There was a really nice one I loved, but was way out of my budget. So I took one that looked super dirty that was only $15 more and but sounded great. Took it home, cleaned it up, and is amazing. Sounds so good out of those little realistic speakers I don’t even need to hook it up to surround. Thanks to everyone who helped me, oh yeah and you probably want to know what kind it is right? It’s a Technics SA-202. I’ll add pictures, it looks great, now I just got to order a few new bulbs for the display. Thanks again
