QuestionKevin,
Thanks again for your help. It's really great what you guys are doing here.
So, I bought a phono preamplifier like you suggested from phonopreamps.com and waiting for it to come in. In the meantime, I tried connecting my new Yamaha surround sound speakers to the receiver last night and noticed a couple of problems.
Background: I have a Yamaha HTR-5850/HTR-5840 AV Receiver. I'm also using brand new Bose 200 series speaker as my front speakers.
Also, I checked the GROUND function in the back of the receiver and I noticed it's something like those plugs on the back of some speakers, where you have to press a little knob down to open up a space to insert the ground wire. The problem with the record player is that the horseshoe ground connector is too wide to fit both legs in this space and I'm only able to fit one leg"and the other hangs out of the clamp. I was wondering if this is good enough or do i need both to be in?
I recently moved the bose from the back of the room to the front where the TV is because I wanted to use these new Yamaha speakers as my surround sound speakers in the back. After I made the switch, I notice that the sound coming in the Left (Bose) speaker is a little louder then the right. Don't know why?
I read through the receiver manual and it told me to use a setup function on the remote to adjust the individual speaker volumes. I then noticed that some of the buttons on the remote do not work. The basic buttons all work fine (volume, the different inputs, power). After I tried using the setup buttons a couple more times it finally worked. Then, it didn't work again. I thought it was some type of child protection mode, but i couldn't find anything in the manual that refers to that and even if it was it wouldn't explain why it works on some rare occasions.
Finally, on the display of the receiver it indicates what speakers are currently running and being noticed by the receiver I do not see the surround left and right speakers highlighted or recognized. The Left and Right front speakers are the only two recognized. In the manual it indicates that all four should be lit up if they are being used. However, when I have the TV on there is faint sound coming out of the back two surrounds.
As you can tell, I'm having a lot of problems setting up the audio system in my living room and I sincerely appreciate all the help I can get. I had a vision and was willing to spend the money I don't have to do this right and it's hard to see things not working out (or me not figuring it out). Again, thanks.
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Followup To
Question -
I recently bought a vintage Kenwood Turntable KD-5066. I spent a pretty penny on it expecting that there would be no problems, however you "can't always get what you want".
I have already replaced one of the RCA chords (Splice and insert a new plug) and I had to replace the stylus as well.
After it has been hooked up to my brand new receiver, the sound coming out of the speakers are really low. There is sound coming out of both speakers, but I have to max out the volume just to hear the song and you can also hear this low buzzing (that may be because the volume is so high).
Just to give you some info: I've noticed that the outlet plugs are cast ironed (not sure that is the word) in the record player. There is also a grounding wire, in addition to the white an red RCA outlet chords. At the end of the grounding wire, it is sort of shaped like a "U". I could only fit one of the "U" legs into the grounding wire clamp on my receiver. Thanks for the help!
Answer -
Dear Marko,
Does you receiver have a PHONO input? And is the turntable connected to that input? If you're using another, line level input (AUX, CD, TUNER--all electronically equivalent), then the 'table won't deliver anything but a low level sound without another component called a PHONO PREAMPLIFIER. This is because turntables/cartridges output a relatively low signal which requires addition amplification before your receiver will have a strong enough signal to send on to the speakers. The buzz is because the phono preamp also rectifies the signal.
If you need a phono preamplifier, you can get them in any number of configurations and prices. www.audioadvisor.com has several high end models starting at $200. www.phonopreamps.com has models starting at $35. Your choice, tho' for a vintage 'table such as the Kenwood, you shouldn't need anything more than a less expensive model.
If your receiver has a PHONO input, then there will be a screw on the rear panel labeled "GROUND" or "GRND". Connect the horseshoe ("U") connector at the end of the grounding wire to this screw. If you're getting a phono preamp, get a model which also has a ground connection.
BTW, I've never seen a "grounding wire clamp", but without the make and model of your receiver, I can't check that out.
The outlet plugs are most likely lightweight steel. Japanese turntables of that vintage used them fairly uniformly.
Finally, you say you've purchased a new stylus. Did you purchase just the stylus for the existing cartridge? Or did you purchase a whole new cartridge? If the latter, make sure that all the connections (the four dinky and somewhat frail wires at the base of the cartridge) to the tone arm are secure. Use a stylus gauge (Shure makes a good one, the SFG-2: www.shure.com) to make sure the tracking force is what your cartridge recommends. Don't forget to set the anti-skate mechanism to zero before adjusting the tracking force, and reset it to the same value as the tracking force once you've set the tracking force.
If I've missed something, please feel free to write back.
Good luck. And thanks for choosing allexperts.com!
Kindest regards,
Kevin
AnswerDear Marko,
The GND on the rear panel of the Yamaha is for an AM radio antenna. It won't do the job for turntable. Connect the horseshoe on your grounding wire to the grounding screw on the preamplifier that will accept the "U" connection.
Your Yamaha receiver seems to have issues. I accessed the product manual on line and found that there are too many variables to consider to completely respond to your questions. I'll offer what I can after having read the manual. For instance, when setting speaker levels (using the LEVEL/BAND) button on the remote, if the unit is in TUNER mode, it will only change the station; you have to take the unit out of TUNER mode to set the speaker levels.
Make sure the remote is aimed properly. The aim field is diagrammed on p. 7 of the manual. Normally, since the fields are so wide, this isn't an issue. Make sure you have a good set of batteries in the remote (don't use the ones that came with the receiver; get a couple of Duracell alkalines) and they're correctly, tightly installed.
Since you're using Bose speakers (Series 201, right? Bose doesn't have a "200" speaker), which have a nominal impedance of 8 ohms, make sure that the speaker impedance (p. 64 of the manual) is correctly set. Usually 8 ohms is the factory default setting, but it's worthwhile to check. One channel will be louder than another because the levels are not balanced, or you're closer to one than the other, or the unit thinks you're closer. Use the SET UP menu starting on p. 57 of the manual to set the size, distance, and level of each speaker.
I'm not surprised the surround speakers are not engaged when you're watching TV. Unless you have a digital cable or satellite connection that transmits 5.1 surround sound, TV programs will at best be in stereo.
I hope that you bought the Yamaha at a dealer instead of on line. I say this because if you're still have problems , you should take it back to the dealer, have them check the remote out, and walk you through the set up and connections. There's no penalty or shame in this. This seems like your first plunge into surround sound, and the Yamaha unit is a current generation model--it does a lot, but it, like most other similar units from virtually all manufacturers, can be a bear to figure out. And most tech manual writers should be taken out and shot--a plain English manual would be welcome. So what if it's 96 instead of 64 pages? Clarity is a good thing. Sorry...I'm ranting.
See what kind of progress you can make, and write me back if you get stuck again. That's what I'm here for.
Kindest regards,
Kevin
