Audio Systems: connecting units, step down transformer, aiwa cd

Question
Hi Garry,

I have a very old Toshiba receiver amp.  It has only one input channel which is for a non pre-amped record deck.  I want to connect a CD player instead.
I bought an Aiwa CD player in a junk shop and connected it up.  I guess the CD player has a pre-amp because there was a loud hum/buzz and then when playing the volume was several times louder than expected and quite distorted.  The player does not have a headphone output.  
What do I need to do/make to put between the two units to obtain the right input signal.  I can use a soldering iron but would prefer a ready made gizmo if such a thing is available.
Thanks

Ron

Answer
Hi Ron,

If the one input is for a record player, then that's "phono level" input, and is very, very low and the amp will really boost the signal. Your CD player is putting out what's called "line level" that's a lot "stronger" (aka louder or hotter) than what any record player does and as such, you're going to get a lot of noise and distortion.

While there's products to boost the phono output from record players to line level output, I've never seen a step-down transformer to lower the output to phono levels.

I did a Web search and all I could find was a reference to a step-down transformer but no products from Radio Shack:

http://support.radioshack.com/support_tutorials/glossary/glossary-t.htm#Transfor...

Basically, unless there's another input on the amp, you can only use it for record players.  Sorry.  Cheers, Wink