Phono lead from amplifier to OLD speakers

NE5

NE5

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2 May 2012
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166
Hello, I've got an old pair of speakers, which are good sound and want to try and connect them to an amplifier with standard phono plugs. I might use them in the spare room or might even try and hook it up to my desktop.

I have looked all over ebay for a modern phono plug cable with FEMALE old type 2 din plug for these speakers to plug into but can't find any.

Does anybody know where I could get these, or use an intermediate lead of some sort please ?
 
Phono (RCA) isn't really the correct type of connector for speakers. Cheap RCA plugs with thin speaker cable attached can burn out if they get a decent dollop of the sort of current levels that a reasonable amp can put out.

Although I have seen phono (RCA) used, it tended to be on very low-power audio systemsaand the odd low-end surround systems. It might be worth checking the speaker specifications (Ohms rating and recommended power level) to make sure ots a suitable match for the amp. Better still, post some clear shots of tge rear panel connections on the amp and another of the speaker rating plate.

Incidentally, just because a speaker has a phono//RCA plug attached, it doesn't mean that any phono/RCA socket will drive the speakers directly.
 
Sorry...to be more precise, the amplifier has standard phono and takes banana plugs which is how I use it. The old speakers have the old type 2 pin connections, they are from an old music centre but I want to try and use them. The cable is old bell wire which is part of the speaker, I want connectors for the amplifier end.
 
2 pin DIN was a common speaker connector type, so that makes a bit more sense. You can just cut the plug off though and attach some banana plugs to the now bare-ended cable, or leave it bare-ended for amps that have spring clip speaker terminals.

For a 2 pin DIN, the pin is the positive (red) and the flat connection is the negative (black). You'll normally find that the cable is polarity-marked with a stripe or ridge too.

The general convention is that the marking indicates the wire used for the positive connection. I'd always check though to be sure. A multimeter with a continuity test is useful for this: When cutting the first plug off, don't chop the wire right at the back of the plug. Instead, leave an inch / 3 cm tail of cable attached to the plug. Once you remove a bit of the insulation you'll be able to test which of the two conductors is connected to positive.

You say you like the sound of the speakers. Have you thought about upgrading the speaker cable while you'll be prep'ing them for their new role? If you're looking for a really good way to waste amplifier power, then thin bell wire will do it every single time. It doesn't need to be anything mad or exotic. Basic 1mm square copper speaker cable will preserve 95% on a 6m run per speaker. Something a bit thicker will make it easier to attach banana plugs too. Get access either by removing the back panel (if it unscrews), or by taking off the grille and unscrewing the woofer fixings.
 
yes I have "proper" good cable on my main Hifi and what you say above has occurred to me today as probably the quickets way to do it. I actually could do with a speaker repair kit for these speakers, the foam is slightly fraying. I've never opened them before but I may as well go the whole hog and try to change the cable too.

Make it a "project" to keep my busy in my spare time, there is no hurry as such so its an interesting idea.
 
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