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Post by nativefx on Jan 21, 2017 15:54:52 GMT -5
Our daughter has started to get intrigued by vinyl (she's 16, lol) so for her birthday we were thinking about looking into a basic turntable, but in order for her to put in her own room to enjoy, I need to figure out a way for her to listen to it. I was wondering weather the Airmotiv 4s powered speakers could be connected directly to the RCA jacks on the turntable? I'ts hard to tell how long she will be interested, so I'm not looking to go out and buy her a separate system. I've been wanting to upgrade my own system with a decent turntable and I haven't been able to do that yet!!
Any help would be appreciated.
I'm thinking of maybe going with the USB-1 turntable if possible. Or I'm open to suggestions?
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Post by stads77 on Jan 21, 2017 16:04:26 GMT -5
You will need a preamp to control volume as well as a phono preamp to amplify the small signal from the turntable ( unless you bought one with a preamp built in). I would suggest the Pt-100 and a heap Craigslist turntable. This way you have the preamp, phono stage, and upgrade ability it need to to ad a nicer tt down the line if she loves it.
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Post by drtrey3 on Jan 22, 2017 9:34:09 GMT -5
You can control the volume with the Airmotiv 4 speakers, so the USB-1 should work peachy. I have not heard the unit, but I read that the speed consistency is not world class. Still, for $250 plus the speakers, she will be listening to vinyl!
Trey
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Post by stads77 on Jan 22, 2017 9:37:02 GMT -5
I assumed 4s' as his thread suggested, not original 4.
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Post by mgbpuff on Jan 22, 2017 11:03:12 GMT -5
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Post by vcautokid on Jan 22, 2017 11:56:47 GMT -5
Another vote for the USB-1. You can connect the USB-1 all different ways. All cables included. Just click the resources tab for the USB-1, and detailed .pdf instructions are there for you. You have allot of options as this turntable will play vinyl, allow you to transfer it to a computer and digitize the songs from the record. It has a built in Phono preamplifier output, so any Line level Preamplifier or even cheap stereo mixer to the Airmotiv 4s will work cool. So if you have a Preamplifier lying around not being used, you're mostly set. Or get a cheap Behringer XENYX 802 mixer for about $60.00 at Guitar center. Run the line out from the USB-1 out in Phono preamp mode on from the USB-1 turntable going to the line input of the mixer. Than line output from the mixer to the Airmotiv 4s. Just throttle the volume from the mixer. Same connection scheme holds true if you use a Stereo Line Level Preamplifier. Hopes this helps.
P.s. you will need another set of RCA cables coming out of said mixer/preamplifier to the Airmotiv 4s inputs.
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Post by nativefx on Jan 23, 2017 1:41:22 GMT -5
I actually came across a website called Turntable Lab that has some of the Audio-Technica LP60 turntables (not the bluetooth version) mated to some powered monitors. If she wants to get into vinyl, I don't know if there would be a big difference using BT rather than an actual analog signal? This still might be a good option to consider. thanks! |
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Post by nativefx on Jan 23, 2017 1:47:27 GMT -5
Another vote for the USB-1. You can connect the USB-1 all different ways. All cables included. Just click the resources tab for the USB-1, and detailed .pdf instructions are there for you. You have allot of options as this turntable will play vinyl, allow you to transfer it to a computer and digitize the songs from the record. It has a built in Phono preamplifier output, so any Line level Preamplifier or even cheap stereo mixer to the Airmotiv 4s will work cool. So if you have a Preamplifier lying around not being used, you're mostly set. Or get a cheap Behringer XENYX 802 mixer for about $60.00 at Guitar center. Run the line out from the USB-1 out in Phono preamp mode on from the USB-1 turntable going to the line input of the mixer. Than line output from the mixer to the Airmotiv 4s. Just throttle the volume from the mixer. Same connection scheme holds true if you use a Stereo Line Level Preamplifier. Hopes this helps. P.s. you will need another set of RCA cables coming out of said mixer/preamplifier to the Airmotiv 4s inputs. Because this would all be new to our daughter, and even getting into audio equipment in general will be new for her. We were thinking about the easiest and affordable option to at least get her started, and at least if it was something she really took too, she could then start choosing other equipment. I don't know much about different preamps and how much difference between them, since I haven't been able to start looking for my own turntable yet due to my limited knowledge. I'm sure once we figure something out for our daughter, I'll be back asking help to choose a little higher end turntable to work with my gear. thanks for the help, we'll have to look into as many options as possible! |
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Post by nativefx on Jan 23, 2017 1:49:26 GMT -5
You will need a preamp to control volume as well as a phono preamp to amplify the small signal from the turntable ( unless you bought one with a preamp built in). I would suggest the Pt-100 and a heap Craigslist turntable. This way you have the preamp, phono stage, and upgrade ability it need to to ad a nicer tt down the line if she loves it. We will definitely take your recommendations into account. Her being able to upgrade if she chooses down the road may be a good option. thanks |
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Post by vcautokid on Jan 23, 2017 9:00:43 GMT -5
Way cool. I think options are great. I was thinking with the mixer she can do all sorts of things a regular preamplifier might not offer her. I hope she enjoys the music journey. I remember my music times at 16. It was very cool.
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,275
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Post by KeithL on Jan 23, 2017 9:44:51 GMT -5
I would like to add a few things here:
1)
The NORMAL output on a turntable is a moving magnet or moving coil output and is NOT line level (it's VERY low in level and requires specific active equalization).
These require a special phono inputin a preamp or a separate phono preamp.
SOME turntables, and especially a few modern ones, have built-in phono preamps, and have line level outputs.
But they're still really intended to be connected to the LINE LEVEL input on a preamp (they generally don't include a level control, and are at a relatively low level to avoid overload issues).
2)
Even on a turntable with a line level output, the level is often not very high ("line level" covers a wide range).
The output level you end up with will also depend on the cartridge you have installed - and on the level the record itself was recorded at.
3)
While the earlier Airmotiv speakers did have their own individual volume controls, you're really still going to want a separate preamp.
For one thing, a passive volume control has no GAIN, so records that are recorded too quietly, or a turntable with a low output cartridge, is NOT going to be able to drive the speakers to full output.
For another, the speakers have INDIVIDUAL volume controls, which are really intended to match the level between two speakers....
It's not really convenient to use two separate controls every time you want to turn the Volume up and down.
Because records ARE recorded at very different levels, it's unlikely that anyone can pick a level that's going to turn out to be optimum for different records.
(In other words, having a real Volume control is rather handy, and hard to live without.)
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Post by calypte on Jan 23, 2017 16:05:11 GMT -5
Classical recordings of orchestras and operas are usually mastered at a much lower level than pop or rock recordings. Things like solo piano or harpsichord are often pretty close to pop, although, even there, you'll probably want to adjust the volume. This was true in the analogue LP era as well as the digital era. Unless you're committed to playing only one genre, you'll almost certainly need a volume control, which usually means a preamp. With all due respect to Emotiva as a producer of hi-end audio electronics, the OP may be able to get by with an older receiver from a thrift store. I think you can even get a new one for $130 or so, which should serve as long as you don't need multi-channel capabilities or high power.
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Post by brutiarti on Jan 23, 2017 16:13:16 GMT -5
Our daughter has started to get intrigued by vinyl (she's 16, lol) so for her birthday we were thinking about looking into a basic turntable, but in order for her to put in her own room to enjoy, I need to figure out a way for her to listen to it. I was wondering weather the Airmotiv 4s powered speakers could be connected directly to the RCA jacks on the turntable? I'ts hard to tell how long she will be interested, so I'm not looking to go out and buy her a separate system. I've been wanting to upgrade my own system with a decent turntable and I haven't been able to do that yet!! Any help would be appreciated. I'm thinking of maybe going with the USB-1 turntable if possible. Or I'm open to suggestions? Airmotivs 4 + Turntable w/built phono amp ($100-$250) + Schiit Sys volume control ($50) |
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Post by vcautokid on Jan 23, 2017 19:51:41 GMT -5
I think Sys would be great except it is passive, and as Keith was saying without directly quoting him.  You are going to need some gain. So a Preamplifier with a bit of gain will do the trick for just about any recording. Your mileage may vary of course, but a little gain goes a long way. |
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Post by ottaone on Jan 26, 2017 21:12:13 GMT -5
Since we're in the Emo forums, I would recommend a used USP-1, turntable of your choice, her existing headphones. This is how I use my cheap turntable right now. Amazing headphone amp and phono pre-amp on the USP-1.
My young adult son got into vinyl a few years ago and bought a few 180 grams but he and I agreed that he shouldn't play these in our existing turntable.
You can easily add the airmotivs later.
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Post by vcautokid on Jan 26, 2017 21:25:05 GMT -5
Or even the new PT-100. Take your time. Emotiva is here when it is right. Plus at $299.00,it is the bargain of the year for Preamplifiers that can get all the boxes checked.  |
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You are going to need some gain. So a Preamplifier with a bit of gain will do the trick for just about any recording. Your mileage may vary of course, but a little gain goes a long way.
