Need some help with connecting second hand audio equipment into a working system!

[Neo_Disco]

Hello, my name is Toby, and I would please like some help to connect up things I have recently bought (pictures attached) .

I have got a Sears 28866 A stereo (receiver + tape decks + turntable), a Bogen RM-300 A amplifier (its mono and from 1973 I think!), an American Audio VMS4.1 DJ controller, and two Kef Carina II speakers. I would like to be able to connect the stereo to the speakers for when I want to play records and tapes, and then my laptop to DJ controller to the amp to the speakers for DJing and playing digital music from my laptop.

I think I need to link everything via RCA cables but am having trouble because the amp is really old and confusing + the stereo has only 1 output hole for each speaker whereas the speakers have 2 input holes each, (and seem bigger than normal RCA cable ones!)

Is what I want to do even possible with my equipment? And if so, what cables/ends do I need to get? Or what wiring do I need to do? Any help is much appreciated!

Pictures of the inputs of one of the speakers first, then of the dj controller on top of amp, and then the stereo.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

First, forget the Bogen amp. It should be obvious that a mono amp is of no use with a stereo system.

To connect the Sears system to the KEF speakers, you will need speaker cables with RCAs on one end, like these:

https://www.amazon.com/Connectors-Speaker-perfect-Amplifiers-Subwoofers/dp/B01BT8X2W4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1539050200&sr=8-7&keywords=rca+speaker+wires

On the other end of speaker wire, you will need banana plugs like these:

https://www.parts-express.com/parts-express-gold-plated-screw-type-banana-plugs-18-12-awg-16-pcs--091-352

This will allow you to plug the speaker wires into the “holes” on the KEF speakers.

Pay attention to polarity. The wire connected to the tip of the RCA connector should get the red banana plug.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Neo_Disco]

Thank you very much Wayne! Yes it had dawned in the back of my mind that mono and stereo aren't very samey haha, oh well, I will be able to pick up a stereo amp quite easily I think!

 

[Neo_Disco]

I have speaker wire cables and rca ends, can I just solder two ends of the cable into the one rca end, instead of buying the pre-made cable?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

You can, as long as the speaker cable isn’t too thick. Sixteen-gauge is probably as thick as you can get away with, and even that might be pushing it. The problem with thick speaker cable, even if you can manage to slip the barrel of the RCA over it, is that all the heat it will require to complete the soldering will melt the plastic piece that the center pin sits in.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Neo_Disco]

Thank you very much Wayne, really appreciate it the help!