Connecting active speakers M-Audio BX5A to a turntable

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Romusc
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Joined: Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:13 pm

Connecting active speakers M-Audio BX5A to a turntable

Post by Romusc » Wed Jan 26, 2011 11:13 pm

Hi,

I am going to need to connect my monitors to a turntable, but I'm not sure if it's possible.
Stop me if I sound too ignorant :):

I have two Bx5a monitors, each with a TRS and an XLR plug.

My idea was to:

- Use a 2x 1/4 TRS to 1x 1/4 TRS cable (which I have). The two TRS would be connected to each of my speaker.

- Plug the male 1/4 TRS to another cable: Female TRS to RCA.

- I would then plug the RCA into the turntable.

My question: Is it going to work ? I suppose it should. Since they'Re active speakers I shouldn't need an amplificator.

What are your thoughts on that?

Thanks a lot!

Tone Deft
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Joined: Mon Oct 02, 2006 5:19 pm

Re: Connecting active speakers M-Audio BX5A to a turntable

Post by Tone Deft » Wed Jan 26, 2011 11:35 pm

won't work.

records aren't recorded with a flat EQ, they're recorded with an RIAA curve applied to them. look it up on wikipedia.

you need a mixer or something with an input that says phono.

also, turntables are big ol' motors that cause electrical noise, they MUST be grounded to earth. that's another connection you need, which a mixer will supply.
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At people who I'd much rather kick in the eye?
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ark
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Re: Connecting active speakers M-Audio BX5A to a turntable

Post by ark » Wed Jan 26, 2011 11:37 pm

You almost certainly need at least a phono preamp between your turntable and your monitors. Such a device (a) Amplifies the very low signal level from the turntable to the point where a normal line-level input, such as your monitors probably have; (b) equalizes the signal that comes from your turntable to account for the fact that a normal turntable puts out much more signal at high frequencies than at low frequencies.

Here is one plausible phono preamp you might consider.

Romusc
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:13 pm

Re: Connecting active speakers M-Audio BX5A to a turntable

Post by Romusc » Wed Jan 26, 2011 11:51 pm

Hey,

Thanks for your answers!

Ark, I guess this would do the job as well (I'm going for the cheap stuff since this is jsut for a limited use)

http://www.thomann.de/gb/behringer_pp400.htm

It converts phono to line, too.

So about the ground connection Tone Deft mentionned, should the PreAmp solve that as well ?

Cheers again!

Romusc
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:13 pm

Re: Connecting active speakers M-Audio BX5A to a turntable

Post by Romusc » Wed Jan 26, 2011 11:54 pm

Also, if my turntable has a line output in it, I shouldn't need a preamp, right (since it is integrated in it) ?

Tone Deft
Posts: 24152
Joined: Mon Oct 02, 2006 5:19 pm

Re: Connecting active speakers M-Audio BX5A to a turntable

Post by Tone Deft » Thu Jan 27, 2011 12:28 am

yep, line out will get you there. what's the deck?

if the line out signal has hum in it then you need to ground the turntable. you can use the third, round 'GFP' (ground fault protection) connection on your wall outlet. usually the turntable's grounding lug can fit over the GFP connection on a power cord.

or the pre-amp will have a grounding connection. list the gear.

hth.
In my life
Why do I smile
At people who I'd much rather kick in the eye?
-Moz

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