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Followup To
Question -
I have a sony ps-lx250h turntable thatI want to connect to a pioneer receiver sx255r. The receiver has a phono input. When I connect the two, I get no sound from my speakers. I have switched the phono/aux switch on the turntable which in the phono position produces a loud hummm and in the aux position, no sound. The speakers word fine with the am/fm tuner, the cd and cassette components I have connected. When I connect the turntable directly to my cassette recorder, there is no amplication using either switch setting. The turntable is supposed to have a built in pre-amp. Is my receiver's phono amp blown or is my turn table's amp blown? Or do I need a seperate pre-amp? Or are these two components simply not connectable? What am I doing wrong? The turntable was working on another receiver before I got it. Thanks for you help....Lisa
Answer -
Dear Lisa,
First, go to www.sonystyle.com and download a copy of the manual. It's in the "Customer Care" section. Enter the model number in the search box. When the FAQ screen comes up, there's also an option to retrieve the manual. Do that. It's in PDF format.
Okay, by the "phono/aux" switch, I assume you're talking about the EQ switch under the platter. If you're connecting the turntable to the PHONO inputs on your receiver, turn the EQ switch OFF. If you're connecting the 'table to another input, say AUX, turn the EQ switch ON. The EQ switch engages the 'table's preamp. If your receiver has PHONO inputs, then the 'table's preamp is not necessary--if you're using the PHONO inputs.
The hum is because you haven't firmly connecting the ground wire, the third, very skinny wire with a horseshoe (U) connector at the end, to the grounding screw on the rear of the receiver's chassis. It should be labeled GROUND or GRND.
Do all these things, and if you still don't have sound, write back, and we'll go from there. My guess is, tho', that you only have to straighten out the connections and the EQ switch.
Good luck. And thanks for choosing allexperts.com!
Kindest regards,
Kevin
Kevin, Thanks for the prompt answer. I've gotten the manuals on both units. I have one additional issue. My sony turntable does not have the grounding connection wire your mentioned. It has only two rca connectors hardwired from the back of the unit. Is there a way around this? Thanks again.....Lisa
AnswerDear Lisa,
I was afraid of that. If you look closely at the turntable's chassis where the audio output connectors are, I think you'll find the stub of the grounding wire that someone snipped off.
It's a simple matter to fix. All you need is a length of thin gauge, insulated wire. 3' will do. Simply strip off about 1/2" of the insulation and whatever insulation remains on the stub attached to the turntable. Twist the two wires together and wrap the connection in electrical tape--don't use anything but electrical tape. Then strip off another 1/2" from the loose end and wrap that around the grounding screw on the receiver, and you should be in business.
If the grounding wire has been completely removed or the stub is too small to take a splice (that's what you did by twisting the two wires together), then you're going to have to have someone open the unit, find the ground connection, and install a grounding wire for you. Sorry 'bout that.
Honestly, I don't know why folks remove grounding wires. Ignorance of how turntables are supposed to work, I suppose. Good rule of thumb: if there's an available connection, the manufacturer probably put it there for a reason.
Let me know how things turn out.
Kindest regards,
Kevin
