Have Cool Equipment, Need Wiring Help

[Swerd]

Is it ok to mix and match different brand RCA cables from the preamp? I have this super long Monster cable 100 interlink. Not really sure what that would be for yet Subwoofer maybe? Then I have two pairs of these black cables where the tops are completely gold colored except for the red and white lines. I also have a monster set that says it's for CD. But I thought they were all the same. This wire business is confusing. Ill take a picture.

Yes, it's OK. Any interconnect cable with RCA plugs on each end, can work for CD or any other connection using RCA plugs/jacks. Don't worry about brand names.

Save the long monster cable for a subwoofer.

 

[Pik95]

That green is only on the outer surface of the copper, where it meets the plastic insulation. The cheap Chinese made wires uses polyvinyl chloride plastic insulation, made by polymerizing vinyl chloride monomers. They probably skipped the step where they removed excess unpolymerized vinyl chloride, and it reacted with the copper wire. Consider that green layer as camouflage. It's harmless.

So I found some brand new 16 gauge rocket fish speaker wire. Can I use that for a ten foot run with the 4ohm speakers? Or should I use the soylent green looking thicker ones? Thoughts?

 

[Swerd]

So I found some brand new 16 gauge rocket fish speaker wire. Can I use that for a ten foot run with the 4ohm speakers? Or should I use the soylent green looking thicker ones? Thoughts?

You can use either one if the length is 10 feet. I'd use the thicker wire if it was up to me. What matters is the thickness of the copper wire. Thinner wire has greater resistance, but at 10 feet it won't make much of a difference.

If that green color bothers you, look for wire with opaque insulation, instead of clear.

 

[Pik95]

Is this the Sunfire?
View attachment 35778

Or even similar. It actually looks like a pretty decent little sub, with emphasis on "little", lol. Still, it looks competently built and the review I scanned over is pretty favorable. I don't how how easy it'd be to blend with the Polk tho. Of the 2 I think I like the Junior.

So I'm just about done and I have two questions.

1)Does anything have to be in the ground spot to the left on the amp?
2) What are these Sub setting supposed to be?
Bass level has minimum, then halfway is 0DB(weird?) and all the way is 15 DB.
Then crossover 30hz, Normal (65HZ), or BYPASS?
Finally there is phase. 0, 90, or 180. Thanks!

 

[Pik95]

Actually, what is this load thing on the amp? Is that for the Turntable? What should it be set at? Thanks

 

[Pik95]

Ok, so I'm kinda frustrated. I hooked it all up as everyone said. The only thing I didn't do (besides a turntable) was hook up an FM antenna. As soon as I powered on my surge protector I heard a kinda loud "pop" sound from my speakers. Then I powered on the amp, pre (in CD position with cd off power), and tuner. As I turned the volume up on the pre (with CD still off) I got loud static from both speakers. I tried the tuner and nothing. I shut everything off and walked away. Any ideas where to start? I'm actually pretty good at trouble shooting so I'll try in the morning. Thanks

 

[Pogre]

I'm not familiar enough with the equipment and connections you're working with so I haven't really been following this thread. I fear if I try to help now I might just confuse or make things worse. All of my gear is firmly entrenched in the digital domain and I don't even own a turntable. I m sorry man. I know how frustrating this can be. Just hang tight, I'm sure someone will be along.

 

[Pik95]

I'm not familiar enough with the equipment and connections you're working with so I haven't really been following this thread. I fear if I try to help now I might just confuse or make things worse. All of my gear is firmly entrenched in the digital domain and I don't even own a turntable. I m sorry man. I know how frustrating this can be. Just hang tight, I'm sure someone will be along.

I'm cool for now. Starting Arrested Development to calm down. Never watched it. I just don't want to destroy my speakers. Thanks for the kind words though. It helps.

 

[Pik95]

I have another amp and preamp I could swap out for a test, but I'm not sure that they don't need to be cleaned either. Yamaha M-4 and Yamaha C-4. I also have an NAD 2200 at the shop, and an Optonica SM-4545 that just came back. Not sure if those are strong enough for the 4ohm Thiels though. I'll double check all my connections first, but I think they were right.

 

[Pik95]

Luckily I got a quick appointment at the local Stereo store. They bench tested them and the amp was fine. The preamp had all kinds of issues though. I'm happy they figured it out quickly. I MAY try and hook it up again tonight with the other Yamaha preamp I have. That has never been tested so I'll be rolling the dice again. Thanks for the support.

 

[lovinthehd]

Actually, what is this load thing on the amp? Is that for the Turntable? What should it be set at? Thanks

Yes, for various cartridge requirements.

 

[Pik95]

I got my preamp, tuner, and amp back fixed. Starting to wire it up again now. I'm hoping to have this going by morning. Happy Mothers Day!

 

[Pik95]

FINALLY got music to come out. I have a slight hum and a lil pop when I power up but it seems all good. Thanks for the help everyone! I appreciate it.