Obviously i'm new...

[Kashex]

and i've got a few questions I haven't been able to find answers with using Google.

1- I recently brought my system to a party because the only sound system that had was an in home, full house system and her parents were upstairs and didn't want the music blasting up there. Anyways, being a party I had my speakers cranked and I found that leaving them at near-max volume they would just cut out. Not blow, not clip, just stop playing sound. Double and Triple checked all connections, everything was fine. Turned the stereo off and back on, turned down the volume a bit and everything was fine. Cranked it again just to test it and the same thing happened a few minutes later. Basically i'm asking if this could be a problem with anything besides the crappy philips shelf stereo I have.

2- Wondering what a good/reasonably priced amp for a beginner would be, and cost.

3- Double checking some research: If I purchase minijack connectors I can connect exposed speaker wire to those and connect the speakers directly to an iPod or CD player, Correct? (Or in a different case through and amp and into an iPod or CD player)

I appreciate any help, and feel free to let me know of any mistakes in my questions or logic...or thinking, hah. Remember, just getting into Audio.

 

[Rickster71]

1- I recently brought my system to a party because the only sound system that had was an in home, full house system and her parents were upstairs and didn't want the music blasting up there. Anyways, being a party I had my speakers cranked and I found that leaving them at near-max volume they would just cut out. Not blow, not clip, just stop playing sound. Double and Triple checked all connections, everything was fine. Turned the stereo off and back on, turned down the volume a bit and everything was fine. Cranked it again just to test it and the same thing happened a few minutes later. Basically i'm asking if this could be a problem with anything besides the crappy philips shelf stereo I have.

2- Wondering what a good/reasonably priced amp for a beginner would be, and cost.

3- Double checking some research: If I purchase minijack connectors I can connect exposed speaker wire to those and connect the speakers directly to an iPod or CD player, Correct? (Or in a different case through and amp and into an iPod or CD player)

I appreciate any help, and feel free to let me know of any mistakes in my questions or logic...or thinking, hah. Remember, just getting into Audio.

Hi Kashex, welcome to Audioholics.

1. Your receiver is going into 'self protect mode' it's not made to play at those volumes. It is shutting down to cool off.

3. Get mini-jack to RCA connectors (red & white) and plug them into the AUX input of your receiver. Not directly to speakers.

 

[Kashex]

Hi Kashex, welcome to Audioholics.

1. Your receiver is going into 'self protect mode' it's not made to play at those volumes. It is shutting down to cool off.

3. Get mini-jack to RCA connectors (red & white) and plug them into the AUX input of your receiver. Not directly to speakers.

1- Okay, so like I ended with, it's a crappy shelf stereo problem that I can solve when I buy a new receiver?

3- Sorry, Not sure I understand. You're saying iPod ->Mini-Jack-RCA-> Receiver ->Speaker Wire-> Speakers

 

[Rickster71]

here is a link to the cable I'm talking about.
It goes from MP3 player to AUX input of your receiver.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2263428

 

[Kashex]

Oh, thanks. I actually saw a DIY on this cable on another thread and started building one with some extra speaker cable I had left over from the project in my room.

Alright, new question:

The receiver I have is just the one that came with the shelf system I bought a year or two back. I don't know anything about standalone receivers. I've done quite a bit of looking around, but i'm not really sure what i'm looking for.

I want a receiver primarily for CD's/Music, not DVD's, but other than that I don't really know what to look for.

 

[jagxtype]

stereo receiver is what your looking for. How much you want to spend? Do you realize that most standalones will toast speakers from shelf units with no remorse? You might want to consider upgrading to a 2.1 component system. Meaning you need a receiver, cd player (or other source), 2 good speakers, and a subwoofer. That would put you on the map for a good system. But prepare to spend some money.

Stereo receiver: ~$250 for a decent one
CD Player: ~50 for a decent one
Good main speakers: ~400 a pair for good sounding floor speakers
Subwoofer: ~200 for a basic sub.

They can be had cheaper, but keep in mind that you get what you pay for

 

[Kashex]

stereo receiver is what your looking for. How much you want to spend? Do you realize that most standalones will toast speakers from shelf units with no remorse? You might want to consider upgrading to a 2.1 component system. Meaning you need a receiver, cd player (or other source), 2 good speakers, and a subwoofer. That would put you on the map for a good system. But prepare to spend some money.

Stereo receiver: ~$250 for a decent one
CD Player: ~50 for a decent one
Good main speakers: ~400 a pair for good sounding floor speakers
Subwoofer: ~200 for a basic sub.

They can be had cheaper, but keep in mind that you get what you pay for

Sorry, apparently i'm more ignorant than I thought. I need a CD player and a stereo receiver. I thought they were the same thing?

Also, i've got a pair of KLH150's my dad bought back in the 80's. He used them for 45's for Five years and said he never put them up past half volume, I did a bit of cleaning up and rewiring and hooked them up to my shelf unit. (I used my "system" for a party, I wasn't planning on going in with just the shelf speakers lol)

When it comes to a sub, I've never heard the difference between a system that's just 2 floor speakers and a system with a sub. I do know that the speakers I have, as are give a desirable amount of bass. (But with my generation, more bass is always better

thanks for putting up with my ignorance.

 

[jagxtype]

Sorry, apparently i'm more ignorant than I thought. I need a CD player and a stereo receiver. I thought they were the same thing?

Also, i've got a pair of KLH150's my dad bought back in the 80's. He used them for 45's for Five years and said he never put them up past half volume, I did a bit of cleaning up and rewiring and hooked them up to my shelf unit. (I used my "system" for a party, I wasn't planning on going in with just the shelf speakers lol)

When it comes to a sub, I've never heard the difference between a system that's just 2 floor speakers and a system with a sub. I do know that the speakers I have, as are give a desirable amount of bass. (But with my generation, more bass is always better

thanks for putting up with my ignorance.

Nah man, your not ignorant at all. Just a newb, as am i. If you have speakers that you like, focus on buying a receiver and cd player. Just make sure that you buy one that you can build on if you ever plan on upgrading in the future. Buy used if you are on a budget. A good stereo receiver is not that much if you look in the right places for the right models. If i come across anything i will let you know.

 

[Kashex]

Nah man, your not ignorant at all. Just a newb, as am i. If you have speakers that you like, focus on buying a receiver and cd player. Just make sure that you buy one that you can build on if you ever plan on upgrading in the future. Buy used if you are on a budget. A good stereo receiver is not that much if you look in the right places for the right models. If i come across anything i will let you know.

Alright, this is going to come off as harsh, but I assure you it's not. That's all well and good, and of course i'll keep my eyes out for deals, but I don't know what to look for other than a Stereo or CD Receiver O_O

 

[jagxtype]

Look for one that has the neccesary in/out features (like rca plugs/optical/coax/video)

Power rating is rated in 20-20K not 1khz (seem to be much better)

good brand names are a good idea

Power rating is enough to supply your speakers with ample power. but be careful, just because they are rated at 150 watts, does not mean that one rated at 50 watts wont blow it out of the water.

Maybe after exams and such are over and i am not at work, i can help a little

 

[Kashex]

Look for one that has the neccesary in/out features (like rca plugs/optical/coax/video)

Power rating is rated in 20-20K not 1khz (seem to be much better)

good brand names are a good idea

Power rating is enough to supply your speakers with ample power. but be careful, just because they are rated at 150 watts, does not mean that one rated at 50 watts wont blow it out of the water.

Maybe after exams and such are over and i am not at work, i can help a little

Ah, great. Thanks a bunch. I'll probably go look around at a few different places before Christmas and then afterwards with my xmas extra's to hit up a few good after-season sales.