How can I connect a source to this amp - wiring question

[techmine]

Folks,

I have this old amp which I am trying to use (with matching speakers). I don't know how to connect a source (like cd player or radio etc) to this amp. It has 2 wires for left and right speakers each. I am familiar with connections that take RCA cables but not this one. I don't want to burn this up by doing some stupid connectivity. Every cd player etc has red and white connections only.

Can someone help?

Thanks,

 

[htgeek]

looks like a old bose system amp. if it is you will need the "control unit" to run sources through it!

 

[BMXTRIX]

If it is truly an 'amplifier', then you want to take RCA cables which are of decent quality and use two separate cables. Take the red (right) cable and cut the RCA off the end. Then strip the wire back to reveal the center conductor and the outer ground wire. The center conductor goes to R + (RED), the outer ground goes to SIGNAL GND (Blue). For the white RCA end, cut that off as well and take the center conductor to L + (WHT) and the outer ground wire goes to the same SIGNAL GND (Blue). Make sure the volume is turned down so you don't run at 100% volume when you turn the source on, but that would be the typical connection as I see it.

 

[agarwalro]

What is the brand and model number of the amplifier?

 

[techmine]

Guys, This is Bose Model 102-EA
Extension Amplifier.

Thanks

 

[agarwalro]

+1 what Bmxtrix said.

To reiterate for good measure, the source MUST provide volume control. A source without volume control sends signal at "full volume" and you are in danger of blowing the amp or your speakers the first time you play something.

 

[TLS Guy]

Folks,

I have this old amp which I am trying to use (with matching speakers). I don't know how to connect a source (like cd player or radio etc) to this amp. It has 2 wires for left and right speakers each. I am familiar with connections that take RCA cables but not this one. I don't want to burn this up by doing some stupid connectivity. Every cd player etc has red and white connections only.

Can someone help?

Thanks,

View attachment 12680

If I remember correctly, that amp is useless to you. It is three amps for three zones, and needs the controller. This was a commercial unit for ceiling speakers in buildings. As was and is typical of Bose, it only works with its own speakers. Those speakers were not standard impedance or 70 volt, a system unique to them.

There are people with those systems in commercial properties looking for that amp as a replacement. If you can be sure it works, and since it is Bose, most now don't, it is worth about 100 bucks. So sell it while you can. It is useless to you. As always, run fast from anything Bose.

 

[techmine]

Thanks BMXTRIX and AGARWALRO. Yes I intend to you use with some kind of old stereo with volume control. But still there are lots of ifs and buts which TLSGuys is rightly pointing out.

 

[techmine]

If I remember correctly, that amp is useless to you. It is three amps for three zones, and needs the controller. This was a commercial unit for ceiling speakers in buildings. As was and is typical of Bose, it only works with its own speakers. Those speakers were not standard impedance or 70 volt, a system unique to them.

There are people with those systems in commercial properties looking for that amp as a replacement. If you can be sure it works, and since it is Bose, most now don't, it is worth about 100 bucks. So sell it while you can. It is useless to you. As always, run fast from anything Bose.

TLSGuys - Yes you are right, this is for my house that has 3 zones of speakers. When I bought the house, it was all working fine with this amp and an old stereo deck setup. Rooms even have volume control. BUT while moving previous owner took apart the whole setup leaving just the speakers in the rooms. Needless to say that I was pissed off but after few e-mails back and forth, I got the amp back. So I have few options:

1. Hook this thing back somehow and keep the rest of the things same. I know the speakers(bose only) work because I tested all of them using a small amplifier I bought from amazon.
I will have volume control but I am using Airtunes and control volume with my iphone (works like a charm). So no issues there.

2. The other option is to replace everything one by one. A good pair of in-ceiling speakers are not very expensive although the cutout diameter in my ceiling is exceeding most 8" speakers on the market . There is still some hope with few generic brands have total width > 11 inches. Sigh....I wish I could use some polks or yamahas!

I also have a decent HK avr which I am not using. If I get the speakers sorted out, I can fire them using HK + speaker selector. The source being the same - Airport express(RCA) with full iPhone control. The question still remains, if I can use the thick speaker wire that currently runs in those 3 zones. If someone have any idea about the wire, please let me know. Its a thick copper wire and not the usual gauge wires.

Thanks for the suggestions guys....

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks BMXTRIX and AGARWALRO. Yes I intend to you use with some kind of old stereo with volume control. But still there are lots of ifs and buts which TLSGuys is rightly pointing out.

I'm pretty sure that amp will only work with the Bose speakers made for it.

We had a post a few years ago, from a guy who bought a business with that system and the amp was broken. He could get very little sound from them. He posted pictures. There was a transformer and lots of wires. I could not help him and then a member Rickster, who is an electrician chimed in and told us about this lousy system that he had encountered a number of times. The bottom line is everything has to be for that system, which is in line with the Bose business model.

 

[techmine]

I'm pretty sure that amp will only work with the Bose speakers made for it.

Yes if I could get some good in-ceiling speakers then this amp and speakers will go on e-bay, as you suggested..

 

[BMXTRIX]

Any speakers you get will be similar or better to what is there already.

These are what I use throughout my home:
8-inch Kevlar 2-Way In-Ceiling Speakers (Pair) - 80W Nominal, 160W Max - Monoprice.com

They work well.

If you want some Polks, then these are pretty solid for the money:
Amazon.com: Polk Audio RC80i 2-Way In-Ceiling Speakers (Pair, White): Electronics

You can try using what you have, but just be careful of your setup.

 

[techmine]

Any speakers you get will be similar or better to what is there already.

These are what I use throughout my home:
8-inch Kevlar 2-Way In-Ceiling Speakers (Pair) - 80W Nominal, 160W Max - Monoprice.com

They work well.

If you want some Polks, then these are pretty solid for the money:
Amazon.com: Polk Audio RC80i 2-Way In-Ceiling Speakers (Pair, White): Electronics

You can try using what you have, but just be careful of your setup.

Thanks. I will try Monoprice as their diameter is > 11 inches. Will update here.

 

[techmine]

So I ordered monoprice 8-inch Kevlar 2-Way In-Ceiling Speakers (Pair) - 80W Nominal, 160W Max - Monoprice.com speakers. They have not arrived yet but in the mean time I picked up Sony's $99 2-channel stereo receiver. I am now using it to drive those tiny bose speakers at medium volume levels. The sound is great (for whole house system). I know these speakers are probably pounding this receiver (could be unsafely). I switched off 2 pairs out of the 3 and the sound became even better. I think standard 8 ohm Monoprice speakers will be much better in terms of keeping the receiver safe and SQ. I should update when I place the monoprice. So the old Bose amp is going to sit in the garage for now. This is much better.

PS: The receiver is connected to the speaker selector that has an amp protector circuit.

Thanks.