No sound when connecting record player to receiver using a phono pre-amp?

[chapelhaudio]

I just received a new phono pre-amp in the mail. When following the instructions to connect it to my receiver, sound will not come out of my speakers; instead it continues to come out of the record player's built in speaker. I am new to the audio world, and am wondering if it is because of my cables: Can I use RCA cables I already have on hand with the Red, White, and Yellow cables--obviously not connecting the the Yellow one for video? Or do I need cables with only the Red and White ends? If this isn't an issue, any other suggestions would be appreciated. As far as I can tell I have connected it correctly to the Audio In on the back and selected that input for playback on the receiver.

 

[fmw]

Cables are not the issue. Assuming that nothing is defective, it is most likely user error.

 

[Adam]

Hi. If your record player has a built-in speaker, you probably will need to set it up to output audio through the jacks versus the speaker. There may be a switch somewhere on the unit to do that. Which record player do you have?

 

[chapelhaudio]

Hi, there, I have a Jensen JTA-230 3-speed stereo turntable. I don't see any mention of a switch on the unit, nor does the manual mention one (the manual just says to connect to the receiver using RCA jacks...which I am first connecting to a phono pre-amp). To your point, I would think that, with the RCA jacks plugged in, sound should at least stop coming out of the record player's built in speakers, regardless of any user error " downstream" with my set-up preventing it from reaching my speakers via the receiver. Given the unlikeliness of a defective unit, there must be some user error I'm not seeing.

 

[chapelhaudio]

From the pre-amp out jacks, I'm plugging into the receiver's Audio-in inputs (Marantz labels them for convenience, instead of numbering them, so I chose the audio-in for "CD", since I am not using the corresponding HDMI input labeled "CD"). I also selected CD as the receiver's playback option--but no sound from my speakers, other than the record player's internal speaker. Unless I'm missing something, I'm wondering if the record player's RCA jacks have a defect. My logic is that sound continues to play out of the unit's internal speakers with RCA cables plugged in (as a comparison, plugging a y-converter into the headphone jack stops sound from the internal speaker) . Does that logic seem sound?

 

[Adam]

Alrighty, I just looked up your turntable. You do not need, nor should you use, a phono pre-amp with that unit. The RCA outputs are line level and not usual phono outputs (phono outputs are a much lower signal than line level outputs). Have you tried connecting the Jensen directly to your Marantz?

The volume knob on the Jensen won't control the line level outputs, and I believe that you should turn the volume all of the way down in order to turn off the signal to the speakers. Alternatively, you could also plug something into the headphone jack - and that should disable the main speakers.

 

[Adam]

Also, on the Marantz, make sure that it's set up to either automatically pick the input to use with the "CD" source or that it's set up to use the analog inputs. It might be set up to use HDMI or a digital input versus the analog inputs that you're using.

 

[chapelhaudio]

I just connected the turntable directly to the receiver and am having the same results. The reason I thought the pre-amp was necessary is because of the Marantz SR5010...http://www.crutchfield.com/S-lAZp0WRPULB/p_642SR5010/Marantz-SR-5010.html

 

[TLS Guy]

I just connected the turntable directly to the receiver and am having the same results. The reason I thought the pre-amp was necessary is because of the Marantz SR5010...http://www.crutchfield.com/S-lAZp0WRPULB/p_642SR5010/Marantz-SR-5010.html

You must not use the phono preamp. Connect the lienout of the turntable to a line in on the Marantz. Use CD or Aux.

Now make sure you have that input assigned on the Marantz.

If no sound, connect a CD player to the input you have the turntable connected to.

If you hear sound, then the turntable is defective. If you hear no sound, the there is user error and the input you are using is not set up in the set up menu on the Marantz. I bet the latter is the problem.

 

[chapelhaudio]

Also, on the Marantz, make sure that it's set up to either automatically pick the input to use with the "CD" source or that it's set up to use the analog inputs. It might be set up to use HDMI or a digital input versus the analog inputs that you're using.

Adam,
Okay, we are almost there! (I wrote my previous response before yours posted). The key was changing the receiver input to select Analog...Thanks for that tip--probably obvious but again, I'm new to this.

One more hurdle to fix and then I should be all set: Sound only comes from the right speaker when using the record player. This only occurs when playing the record player, and also happened when I changed RCA cables to make sure there is no defect in the cable itself.

 

[chapelhaudio]

TLS guy - thanks, I'm getting a delay on the posts on the forum so I hadn't seen your post...you had it right on changing in the input set-up to analog on the Marantz. If I can just get the sound to come out of the left speaker I'll be good to go (only coming out of the Right side now).

 

[KEW]

Turn off the AVR and swap the left and right terminals at the phono outputs, then turn it back on.
If you now only have sound from the left channel, you have established both the R & L of the RCA cable are good and the Marantz works on both channels. If that is the case, it isolates the problem to the Phono's left channel.

 

[chapelhaudio]

Turn off the AVR and swap the left and right terminals at the phono outputs, then turn it back on.
If you now only have sound from the left channel, you have established both the R & L of the RCA cable are good and the Marantz works on both channels. If that is the case, it isolates the problem to the Phono's left channel.

Thanks, Kurt. I did as suggested, and now have sound from the left speaker. Guess I need to repair or replace the record player.

 

[chapelhaudio]

(Clarification...still only sound from one speaker, but the opposite)

 

[KEW]

Well, wait a bit in case anyone knows what would cause your phono to do that.

 

[TLS Guy]

I think it is a p-mount cartridge, so you can't check the wiring there. You will have to open up the player and make sure everything is connected inside.

We have had a post or two about these turntables before. My suspicion is that they are well in the junk category.

Clues should be that they are sold in the well known Hi-Fi establishment of Walmart, and can be bought for $48 on Amazon!

Tracking force looks to be by spring at the arm base. I would suspect this unit has a very healthy appetite for the vinyl in the grooves of your LPs. It certainly looks to me that this is a unit you would be better off without.

I just bought this turntable for a friend on eBay for $69.

There are lots of fine older turntables on eBay. You do not have to resort to the junk purveyors.

 

[chapelhaudio]

Thanks, TLS guy. When you say appetite for the grooves of vinyl...what does that mean? Can it damage my records?

I'll see if I can find any other post on what to look for in a used record player, but otherwise I'll hit ebay when my budget recovers a little from the speakers I just bought...

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks, TLS guy. When you say appetite for the grooves of vinyl...what does that mean? Can it damage my records?

I'll see if I can find any other post on what to look for in a used record player, but otherwise I'll hit ebay when my budget recovers a little from the speakers I just bought...

Yes, I do mean that player is highly likely to do significant damage to an LP at the first playing.

I would NEVER submit any LP I own to that contraption.

What do you want from a turntable? Turntables are not plug and play like CD players. Setting up turntables is a skill that has to be learned.

New turntables can not be done on the cheap. About $500 to is what you need to pay for a basic starter turntable. Something like this.

Avoid anything automatic on a turntable, they need to be manual.

There are good deals among older turntables. You may have to put up with a few cosmetic defects.

Don't be afraid to buy a used turntable missing the cartridge or stylus. If you buy a used turntable plan to at least change the stylus and likely replace the cartridge for a better one.

This is the sort of used turntable I would be talking about, and this one is a good deal.

Be prepared to spend around a $100 for a decent starter cartridge.

So with shipping you would be all set up for around $250. So that would be half the cost of a comparable new one.

 

[chapelhaudio]

TLS guy - thanks for the recommendations...good to know. I'll almost certainly need to go the used route. Might touch base with you when the time comes.

I noticed you also have a Marantz receiver (you system is amazing!). One issue I have is that I can't connect my smart phone to it, since it only has a USB port and I don't have an iphone (to use Airplay). Of course I can use bluetooth, but I assume there is some audio quality loss.

 

[TLS Guy]

TLS guy - thanks for the recommendations...good to know. I'll almost certainly need to go the used route. Might touch base with you when the time comes.

I noticed you also have a Marantz receiver (you system is amazing!). One issue I have is that I can't connect my smart phone to it, since it only has a USB port and I don't have an iphone (to use Airplay). Of course I can use bluetooth, but I assume there is some audio quality loss.

Actually it is a Marantz AV 8003 which is a pre pro and contains no power amps. I do all my Internet streaming from my HTPC which now uses Windows 10. It is fast and I love it, and don't need to use anything else for streaming.

The power is provided by seven Quad 909 power amps.