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Your turntable connects into the ‘Phono’ inputs of the amplifier using the red’n'white RCA cables usually hardwired into the turntable – if the Tt has female RCAs at the rear, you’ll need male-to-male cables of about 1m long which we have in-stock. The red plug is right, the white(or sometimes black) is the left side. If there’s another small single wire or terminal, it’ll be the earth (or ground) wire which also needs to be attached to the Gnd terminal on the rear of the amp.

If there’s any hum coming from your Tt, this earth wire should eliminate it.

Next, the amp needs to be connected to the speakers. On the rear of the amp, there’ll be 1 or 2 pairs of speaker terminals – if you only have 1 pair of speakers, use speaker system 1 (or ‘A’). They’ll be labelled ‘Left’ & ‘Right’ for the appropriate speaker, with ‘+’ and ‘-’ and red is always positive which goes to the positive (red) terminal on the speaker.

Quality speaker cable identifies (with a stripe or lettering or something!) one side of the cable so you know which is positive at the other end. These terminals at both the amp & speaker can be thumb nail screws, spring clips, or maybe ‘Banana’ plugs which also facilitate a screw down type – it’s essential that there is no chance of a ‘short’ across these speaker wires, either at the amp or speakers as it’ll blow the amp & that can be costly. Make sure they are attached firmly with no renegade bits of wire hanging out – once attached, give ‘em a gentle tug to ensure they won’t fall out & have a final check before powering up the amp. If you can’t see properly, as these connections are often in dark corners, get a torch!

HINT: if wrapping exposed copper cable around screw type terminals, twist the copper strands together to eliminate ‘renegade’ bits sticking out & curve these ends clockwise around the terminals, so when the screw is tightened clockwise, it grabs the wire, rather than throwing it out.

So, it’s time to power up the amp, but first, check all the facia controls – speaker switches should be off, volume down, Loudness off, tone controls to flat, Tape monitors off – in other words, everything off!

Then, turn on the power, wait a few seconds, turn on the speaker switch, wait another couple of seconds, & bring up the volume gently to see if there’s any hum, which can highlight any wiring problems. Next, volume back down, put a record the Tt, select ‘Phono’ on the amp, & gently bring the volume. Use the Balance control to ensure you have both channels, then investigate the tone controls to your preference.

If there are any issues (drop-out, scratchy controls……) work the switches & knobs, as we all need a massage some times to get going again. A different source (like an iPod) into an ‘Aux’ input can help with trouble shooting.

PHONO PRE-AMPLIFIERS

Whilst all our classic amps have ‘Phono’ inputs for turntables, the same can’t be said for modern amps.

Lots of audio manufacturers dropped ‘phono’ inputs on amplifiers in the 90’s – they thought vinyl had gone away……….silly them!

Consequently, we get lots of enquiries on how to connect turntables to amps that have nothing more than ‘Aux’ inputs, even on Home Theatre Receivers.

Yes, there’s an easy fix.

It’s called a ‘Phono Pre-Amplifier’ – a little powered unit that equalizes & boosts turntable output via the standard RCA sockets from the turntable for input into any ‘Aux’ input of any amplifier. Typically, this is what they look like:

The turntable RCAs plug into the ‘in’ side & the ‘out’ RCAs plug into any “aux’ input of any amplifier.

If this little pre-amp takes an aux input that you are already using, we also stock a phono pre-amp that also has an aux input built-in, so you in fact increase the number of inputs as well! Have a look at this link (by copy/paste) to our product listing:

http://www.classic-hifi.net/range-products/?product_id=1331

For those of you who are struggling to hear a decent reproduction of your vinyl, it will be dawning of a new era! It’ll make your records sound awesome!

From as little as $88 for the entry level unit, they are worth every cent.

Of course, there are many higher end versions & without going berserk (they can go up to the $1000’s) the ProJect Pre-amps which we stock, carry our recommendation for those who want that little bit more from their vinyl.

The ‘Phono Box II’ is the next step up (at $249) with MM/MC capability for those who might want to investigate the world moving coil cartridges at some stage

Next, there’s the ‘Phono Box USB’ ($279) with all of the above plus a USB output for direct connection to a computer:

Finally, in the Project range there’s the 2x valve version ‘Tube Box’ ($599) to engender that beautiful warmth that only valves can:

Over and above, we stock the likes of Creek, Musical Fidelity, Ortofon, QED.

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