Any Turntable/Record Player Experts/Hipsters On Oppo?

"SaabLife, because Gripen" (runningtosweden)
03/06/2014 at 18:02 • Filed to: Recordlock

So I just bought an old Pioneer turntable (PL-640), but I have no clue how one would hook this thing up to speakers and get it going.

I've read that I need a "PreAmp", since this one doesn't have one built in, or it possibly needs a stereo system? I guess the preamp or stereo are each capable of controlling the volume?

All I know is that it has one red input wire, one black input wire, and a grounding wire coming out the back of it.

Any Oppos have any knowledge of how to get this thing running?

DISCUSSION (20)

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > SaabLife, because Gripen
03/06/2014 at 18:07

you're gonna need an amplifier of some sort.

I'm not saying that you should get this specific model , but it would work.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

You could easily find an old one, that probably sounds better, at a garage sale for like $ .10

Lekker > SaabLife, because Gripen
03/06/2014 at 18:09

What you need is to move the L before the p and WHAMMY! You got a Gallardo LP-640

JustWaitingForAMate > SaabLife, because Gripen
03/06/2014 at 18:10

Are they actually worth something? I've got my fathers old one sitting in the garage.

HammerheadFistpunch > SaabLife, because Gripen
03/06/2014 at 18:22

yeah you need an amp (not a pre-amp per-se) but you can get them cheap and easy. I have a little 150 watt stereo unit I got for $50.

Bandit > SaabLife, because Gripen
03/06/2014 at 18:35

You need a receiver or an amp to power it and send out the signal to the speakers.

SaabLife, because Gripen > JustWaitingForAMate
03/06/2014 at 18:42

I think it's kind of hit and miss, as far as value goes.

The one I found at a thrift store was fifty bucks, but the one sitting next to it was apparently worth a couple of grand. Funny thing is, they looked identical.

But there is a pretty big market for them, so I'd go out and grab the model number and check it online.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > SaabLife, because Gripen
03/06/2014 at 18:43

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/PP…

SaabLife, because Gripen > HammerheadFistpunch
03/06/2014 at 18:45

I've seen a couple of cheap ones at the thrift store I grabbed the player at, does there need to be a certain wattage or anything? Or would most of them work universally with the player?

HammerheadFistpunch > SaabLife, because Gripen
03/06/2014 at 18:47

its the amount of power you want. More amps, more loud. 100 amps stereo is about as much as you need.

lone_liberal > SaabLife, because Gripen
03/06/2014 at 18:48

And here is where turntables got interesting. The amp that you connect it to should have a "phono" input so that it applies the correct equalization to the signal. This can also vary depending on whether you have a moving magnet or moving coil cartridge. Some amps had two phono inputs for that reason. In the end, plug it in to an amp and see if it sounds good.

JGrabowMSt > SaabLife, because Gripen
03/06/2014 at 18:51

Red=Right channel

White=Left Channel

If the colors are really different, one of those two will be the right color (90% of the time it's 60% effective).

Probably just a pair of regular RCA connections.

Most importantly, is the needle good? They aren't too expensive, but eBay is your best bet for getting replacements. I have a diamond needle for my Philips turntable. Has to be connected to something that will amplify the levels for the speakers. You can use a pre-amp for it, but find a dedicated phono amp, or a receiver should be fine. On the back of the receiver, there should be a ground screw very close to the Phono inputs. Make sure you connect that.

Wattage is irrelevant, just get one, and connect your speakers. Shouldn't be any problem. In most cases at home, it's generally irrelevant. Just know that over 150W is more than you'll ever need. A receiver is your best bet because it will power the speakers and amplify the signal, making things easy to connect.

SaabLife, because Gripen > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
03/06/2014 at 18:51

Ok, so I basically the amplifier acts as a connection/controller between the speakers and the record player? Seems simple enough.

Thanks for the heads up.

SaabLife, because Gripen > JGrabowMSt
03/06/2014 at 19:12

The needle/cart look like they're in ok condition, but are they usually proprietary to a specific brand or are they universal between most players?

So I'm guessing it really is easier to just go with a receiver as the central hub for simplicity. Is a preamp just an alternative to a receiver? Or does the receiver act as the amp?

Kinja'd!!!

I found some guides for it, but these pictures sorta threw me off.

JGrabowMSt > SaabLife, because Gripen
03/06/2014 at 19:16

You're just a little confused.

To simplify, The receiver will be the amp. It will also be a central hub. A pre-amp is just an alternative (and in most cases, not the same in terms of quality, meaning a receiver will sound better).

The top picture is correct. You do not need a preamp, so just connect directly to the receiver. The receiver should be able to amplify the signal no problem, especially if it has a dedicated Phono input.

SaabLife, because Gripen > JGrabowMSt
03/06/2014 at 19:34

Ok, that makes sense. I have a few used electronic stores near me that have some late 70's to mid-80's receivers, so I'll keep an eye out for one with a Phono input.

Thanks for the help!

JGrabowMSt > SaabLife, because Gripen
03/06/2014 at 19:40

No problem. I set up bigger, badder and much more expensive home theaters and sound systems, so something like this is a nice trip down memory lane for when people wanted things simple (analog is still better for many things, but admittedly, not most things).

wontacceptthis > SaabLife, because Gripen
03/06/2014 at 21:09

Are the wires just bares, or are they connected to phono jacks or RCA cables?

If you don't want to build a whole stereo system, and just want to listen to records in mono every once in a while, wire the two outputs into a single mono 1/4" phono jack, then plug that bad boy into a keyboard, bass, vocal, or acoustic guitar amp. Traditional electric guitar amps would not be recommended since they are designed to distort. You can pick up a decent small keyboard or bass amp for $20-40 at a used music store.

Paullubbock > SaabLife, because Gripen
03/07/2014 at 16:47

Not a hipster but any amp with analog RCA plugs will work.

Weather and Darkness > JGrabowMSt
03/08/2014 at 15:19

depends what you're interested in doing.

Weather and Darkness > JGrabowMSt
03/08/2014 at 15:30

there are a couple points here. The first is that these days you have to go back a good few years to find a receiver with phono inputs, more modern ones don't have them.For SAABLIFE's sake: a turntable, or more accurately the cartridge has a lower power output than a CD player, DVD player or tape deck, this is the reason you need something with either a built in phono preamp, as you might find in some receivers, or failing that, an amplifier plus a dedicated phono pre plugged in between the amp and the turntable.