Receiver and speakers with RCA cables

[Jake.]

Today my dad gave me an old Realistic Clarinette 102 system. It has a receiver, tuner, turntable, turntable, cassette and 8track in one unit. Nothing special, but it's in great shape so I thought I should clean it up a bit. The speakers it came with have RCA style connectors, but the wires themselves are fairly trashed. So my question is, can I make/buy replacement wires or convert the speakers/receiver to standard speaker wires?

 

[Adam]

Hi, Jake. Does the receiver have spring clips for the speaker wires, or is it RCA, too?

You can definitely make/buy replacement speaker wires. From the home of Realistic , check out these cables from Radio Shack. They're just one example of pre-made speaker wires with and RCA connector on one end.

 

[Jake.]

Hi Adam,
I realize I was a bit unclear. The speaker wires enter the speakers at the back and I'm guessing are "hardwired" to the crossover inside the speaker box. The wires exit the speakers and then end in RCA style connectors, which are plugged in to the female RCA connectors on the receiver. I think the wires you linked will likely do the ticket. Thanks very much for that. Out of curiosity, have you or anyone else here ever tried soldering RCA connectors to existing speaker wire? I saw a few articles on the subject but wasn't sure if that was a good idea or even applicable in this case. Regardless, your Radio Shack idea at least lets me know I can get this old girl running. Seems like such a cool unit. I'm thinking it would be cool to put in my office at work, but my Dad also gave me the Pioneer sx-636 he had when I was a kid (needs lamps and some connection work), so that might find it's way onto my desk instead of the Realistic. Choices choices.

 

[Adam]

I have some homemade speaker wires with RCA connectors. My brother made them when we were younger (I'm going to guess that he was about 15).

Do the cables look okay for some distance out of the speaker? If so, you could cut, strip, and splice them to cables like those from Radio Shack.

 

[Jake.]

Yep, I could most likely make them fully functional with splicing. But it would be cool to learn how to make the RCA cables myself and it would look much cleaner if I did. They'll live to sing another day for sure. At this point it's just a question of how. Thanks again for your advice, you've been a big help.

 

[markw]

Having sold Rat Shak during at era, I do believe the back of the main unit has RCA jacks for speaker connections. Replacing RCA jacks with terminals on the speaker will not be a problem but strongly reconsider your skills should you decide to do that to the main unit.

That being said, Rat Shak used to sell speaker wires with RCA plugs on one, or both ends, depending on what you want.

 

[Jake.]

Thanks,
I think I'll spare the main unit and try to make cables for the speakers. I'm planning on picking up a soldering iron and the needed parts today.

 

[hizzaah]

Thanks,
I think I'll spare the main unit and try to make cables for the speakers. I'm planning on picking up a soldering iron and the needed parts today.

I recommend splurging a little on a decent soldering iron if you can. I bought a semi-cheap $10-15 one off of Amazon, and while it's ok and I've managed to get it to do the two jobs I've used it for, I regret not putting that towards and adjustable temperature one.

 

[lsiberian]

I recommend splurging a little on a decent soldering iron if you can. I bought a semi-cheap $10-15 one off of Amazon, and while it's ok and I've managed to get it to do the two jobs I've used it for, I regret not putting that towards and adjustable temperature one.

I got a nice used one for 20 bucks that is fantastic. Check craigslist for Hakkos. They are fantastic. It's not a pretty iron, but it works like a tank.

 

[Jake.]

I picked up a mid-level soldering iron at the local Home Depot. I tend not to buy cheap tools anymore once I realized it's more expensive to buy cheap . I got some audio RCA connectors from Radio Shack, and on the way home stopped into the local Goodwill and picked up a pair of little Realistic Minimus 26 speakers for $3 a piece. They appear to be in good shape, and I figured it would be cool to have a semi-matching system. I'll post back when I get the cables soldered together. Thanks to everyone for their help/

 

[Jake.]

Got the cables put together last night, so the Clarinette 102 and the Minumus 26s are now working partners. Tuner works great, next is to check the turntable, cassette and 8 track players.