Speaker/Amp setup help requested [Archive] - Audio & Video Forums

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oldangelmidnight
11-02-2008, 10:43 AM
I wanted to get a decent stereo setup to listen to some vinyl so I made a couple of rash purchases without doing a whole lot of research.
I started off with a Kenwood turntable that I've had forever. It's model kd-21rb. It seems to work fine.
I picked up a little chinese tube amp: http://www.hi-end.on9mart.com/cart/MENG%206P1%20bk.html I've seen reviews of it online and it's supposed to be pretty good.
And I got a set of speakers off Woot.com: http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/products/c-100-specifications/

I get it all set up and sound comes through, but it's very quiet.

The relevant specs of the amp seem to be:
Output Power 10 watts x 2 in Class A Push and Pull circuit design
Signal/Noise Ratio 90dB
Frequency 10Hz-70KHz +/-3 dB
Ohms 4 ohms and 8 ohms
Input Consumption <80w

and the speakers:
Frequency Response 55Hz-20kHz +/- 3 dB
Recommended Amplifier Power up to 110 watts
Impedance 8 ohms nominal; 4 ohms minimum
Useable Bass Response (-10db Anechoic) 50 Hz
Sensitivity (anechoic) 87dB
Sensitivity (2 speakers in a typical room)

But I'm not really sure what most of that means. I knew enough to match up the ohms, but beyond that, I'm kind of lost. Why is it so quiet? Is the amp not powerful enough for the speakers? How do I solve that?

oldangelmidnight
11-02-2008, 12:08 PM
On further investigation:
I plugged my iPod into the amp via 1/8 to 1/4 and 1/4 to RCA adapters and it sounds fine.
Maybe the turntable needs some kind of preamp? But I thought the integrated pre/power amp of the Meng would take care of that.

02audionoob
11-02-2008, 12:17 PM
The turntable's output does require specifically a phono input or a separate phono preamp.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Phono-Preamps

Mr Peabody
11-02-2008, 04:49 PM
02audionoob, is correct, output from a turntable needs to be stepped up to the level of other sources. You will need an outboard phono stage. I'm not sure the price but I read a good review on a little ProJect phono box.

hydroman
12-05-2008, 11:12 AM
Yep! That is the problem.

Find an old pre-amp fro sale and just use the phono in and line-outs to your reciever.

I have an old NAD 1155 pre amp i would sell for $20 + shipping.