Beginner to HT with a legendary Marantz receiver

[drwang84]

Hi everyone,
I just picked up a legendary audio classic Marantz 2230 receiver. I want to put it to good use but have no idea where to start. I've never built a HT before so this is my first time. However I have quite a bit of knowledge and experience when it comes to car audio.

Here is a link to the receiver specifications:
http://www.classic-audio.com/marantz/2230.html

I am going to hook it up to a pair of Paradigm Reference Speakers I traded for from a friend.

I understand the receiver is only 2-channels, so I guess there isn't a way to add a subwoofer to the setup? Also, Is there a way I can hook up the receiver to my computer?

Thanks.

 

[MDS]

The fact that the receiver is only two channels does not preclude the use of a subwoofer.

A sub with high-level (speaker level) inputs and outputs will work as you connect the speaker terminals of the receiver to the sub and the sub's speaker outputs to the front speakers.

You may even be able to use the pre-out and main-in jacks. You'd go from the pre-outs to the sub and from the sub back to the main-in. That though would require a sub that has a line-level output.

You can make an analog connection from the computer's sound card to the receiver using any of the line-level inputs on the receiver; looks like tape and aux are available on that receiver.

 

[drwang84]

The fact that the receiver is only two channels does not preclude the use of a subwoofer.

A sub with high-level (speaker level) inputs and outputs will work as you connect the speaker terminals of the receiver to the sub and the sub's speaker outputs to the front speakers.

You may even be able to use the pre-out and main-in jacks. You'd go from the pre-outs to the sub and from the sub back to the main-in. That though would require a sub that has a line-level output.

You can make an analog connection from the computer's sound card to the receiver using any of the line-level inputs on the receiver; looks like tape and aux are available on that receiver.

Thanks for the advice. I'm looking at the back of the Paradigm speakers and I noticed that they are bi-wire binding. How would the speakers wire to the receiver? Should I just run the 2 pos in-line, and the same with the 2 neg? Or is it supposed to be that I just hook it up to the pos and neg and the other pair is used to output to the subwoofer as you mentioned...

Speaker specs:
sensitivity (87dB/W/m), impedance (8 Ohms), crossover frequency (a low 2kHz) and maximum power handling (100W long-term)

 

[MDS]

No, you just leave the jumper between the binding posts in place and then you can use either pair of binding posts.

 

[Adam]

First, I want to warn you not to connect the computer audio to the "Phono" input. Not trying to be patronizing, but if you're unfamiliar with this, the phono input is amplified more than the other inputs. The "Tape" and "Aux" inputs would work great, as MDS pointed out.

I'll let the experts discuss bi-wiring (or maybe even bi-amping as your receiver has two sets of speaker outputs) those speakers. However, the two sets of posts are both inputs - so you wouldn't run a set of wire from the speakers out to the sub. Those two inputs allow you to separately power two sets of cones in each speaker.

 

[drwang84]

No, you just leave the jumper between the binding posts in place and then you can use either pair of binding posts.

There isn't a jumper between the binding posts right now. Can I just "split" the speaker wire to both binding posts? Or cut off a short piece of wire and make my own jumper...
Thanks.

 

[Seth=L]

Bi-wiring or Bi-amping on that setup would serve NO purpose with that receiver. The connection to the computer can be made using a 1/8" mini to stereo RCA adapter, they sell them at Radioshack, Best Buy, on the internet, and believe it or not, I got one at a Dollar Tree store for a dollar.

Sounds like a nice little setup, good luck.

 

[drwang84]

First, I want to warn you not to connect the computer audio to the "Phono" input. Not trying to be patronizing, but if you're unfamiliar with this, the phono input is amplified more than the other inputs. The "Tape" and "Aux" inputs would work great, as MDS pointed out.

I'll let the experts discuss bi-wiring (or maybe even bi-amping as your receiver has two sets of speaker outputs) those speakers. However, the two sets of posts are both inputs - so you wouldn't run a set of wire from the speakers out to the sub. Those two inputs allow you to separately power two sets of cones in each speaker.

ok How I'm understanding this is that one pair of the posts is for the tweeter and the other is for the mid-woofer. I'll go run out and get some speaker wire and test it out soon.

This is probably not the right place to ask about this but I was wondering, I have several car audio amps laying around, as well as a car subwoofer in an enclosure. Is it possible implement those components with the receiver?

 

[Seth=L]

ok How I'm understanding this is that one pair of the posts is for the tweeter and the other is for the mid-woofer. I'll go run out and get some speaker wire and test it out soon.

This is probably not the right place to ask about this but I was wondering, I have several car audio amps laying around, as well as a car subwoofer in an enclosure. Is it possible implement those components with the receiver?

Not without a very expensive power converter, not cost effective I am afraid, I would be much cheaper to buy brand new receiver I think.

The Marantz should be fine for a stereo setup for the time being.

 

[drwang84]

The fact that the receiver is only two channels does not preclude the use of a subwoofer.

A sub with high-level (speaker level) inputs and outputs will work as you connect the speaker terminals of the receiver to the sub and the sub's speaker outputs to the front speakers.

You may even be able to use the pre-out and main-in jacks. You'd go from the pre-outs to the sub and from the sub back to the main-in. That though would require a sub that has a line-level output.

You can make an analog connection from the computer's sound card to the receiver using any of the line-level inputs on the receiver; looks like tape and aux are available on that receiver.

Thanks for the help guys. Everything is in working order now and it sounds pretty good. The speakers produce decent bass but seems to be lacking a bit in the low freq.

MDS, you mentioned that I'd need a sub that has a line-level output? What model/make would you suggest? I think my budget is $100. Thanks.

 

[drwang84]

The other day my right channel just went out. So I played around with it and unfortunately couldn't get the right channel to work. So I have both speakers hooked up to the left channels. Is there something I can do to test the right channel to see if it is still functioning?

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker connections

Your paradigm are 4 ohms, so I wouldn't recommend connecting 2 in parallel to a single receiver channel. The 2 ohm load could easily cause the amp to clip and damage the speakers, or overheat and shut down the receiver. Check out the connections for the right channel, if you cannot resolve the problem, it might be time for an upgrade.

I don't think you will find a decent sub for $100, so stick with 2.0 for now. Save up $2-400 for a good HT sub.

 

[drwang84]

Just bought an amp and crossover, need help with connections

The fact that the receiver is only two channels does not preclude the use of a subwoofer.

A sub with high-level (speaker level) inputs and outputs will work as you connect the speaker terminals of the receiver to the sub and the sub's speaker outputs to the front speakers.

You may even be able to use the pre-out and main-in jacks. You'd go from the pre-outs to the sub and from the sub back to the main-in. That though would require a sub that has a line-level output.

You can make an analog connection from the computer's sound card to the receiver using any of the line-level inputs on the receiver; looks like tape and aux are available on that receiver.

I have received both the amp and the crossover and they look so sexy together. But now I have to hook them up and I'm not sure where to start.

Marantz 2385 receiver --> Behringer CX2310 --> Behringer EP2500 -->subwoofer

Please correct me if I'm wrong: From the receiver Pre-out I connect an audio rca cable to the crossover.(Here's the problem, the crossover only takes XLR, right? From the crossover to the amp I need (1) XLR cable for mono sub. And from the amp to the subwoofer, the speaker wire can be connected to the binding posts behind the plastic covers. And from the subwoofer, how do I connect back to the Main-in?

I tried reading all the manuals together and some of the jargon is a tad confusing. Thanks for taking the time to help me out guys.

So all-in-all I think I need to purchase (2) XLR cables and perhaps something that converts the RCA audio cable to XLR.

 

[Halon451]

An XLR connection is typically used to carry a balanced audio signal, wheras an RCA does not. You can fabricate an XLR to RCA adapter cable if you have decent soldering skills (connectors are sold at Radioshack), but it will not be balanced audio. Still it works, and will get the signal through.

They also sell such adapters for a few dollars more, but I'm not sure if you can find them at Radioshack.