HELP - Connecting AV Receiver to Some Old Speakers!

bluemr · Jan 8, 2014

Need some help please, have these old (but amazing) computer speakers, Dell Altec Lansing ADA995. 5.1 system- all plugs into a massive subwoofer and three cables come out of that. Been using them with an adaptor to create mono sound for my iPod but now want to connect them to an AV receiver for my TV. The thread below gives a solution:

http

/www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/290572-28-connect-myblack-altec-lansing-speaker-system-ada995

Except that no AV Receivers seem to have RCA inputs anymore. Can I just cut the RCA cables to make speaker wire? Could someone please explain how I could connect them to an amp such as this? Specifically what I plug into where?

http

/www.amazon.co.uk/Denon-AVR-X500-AV-Surround-Receiver/dp/B00C7SZT2W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389225768&sr=8-1&keywords=av+receiver

Lethal-Injection · Jan 9, 2014

Okay lets clear things up. Your speakers don't use RCA cables, no speakers use RCA cables for speaker wire, that wouldn't make sense. They use a type of plug designed to be input into your subwoofer. And as for AV receivers not having RCA inputs, you're right, but not because their outdated. Only really high end AV receivers have them for ultimate home theatres with a 200 watt amp for each two speakers lol.

Now I tried to do some researching and I'm sorry to say you're in for some bad luck. See, if your AV receiver had RCA inputs this would be easy, with a few adapters and what not, but it doesn't. So you have a few options: settle for 2.1 audio (I think mentioned in the other forum page) or cut the cables directly from your speakers (which I doubt would work). You could probably get 5.1 to work with your av reciever, but it wouldn't be practical, so forget that. That's all I got, maybe someone else could come up with something better

bluemr · Jan 9, 2014

Lethal-Injection :

Thanks for the quick reply.Getting slightly confused with all this home theatre stuff! So I take it that means it's not as simple as cutting the RCA adapters to make speaker wire. From what I can understand, am I looking for any AVR with "pre outs?" And that would give me 5.1? Haven't bought any AVR yet, just looking for a cheap one that will give me 5.1 with the speakers I have (wall mounted so really want to make use!).

Definitely dont want to cut the actual cables of the speakers! And want to make use of the sub, because it's amazing. So I guess I need to find an amp like the Denon in that thread with pre-outs? Any amp with RCA out jacks on the back will do? And there's no cheaper or easier alternative?

Also if I find an older AVR like that, is there any disadvantage to plugging it straight into the TV with optical as opposed to HDMI in and out?

Thanks a lot and sorry for my ignorance.

americanaudiophile · Jan 9, 2014

You could use this to drive the speakers:
http

/www.ebay.com/itm/like/261325168149?lpid=82
The only issue will be controlling the volume. So I would suggest finding a used surround sound receiver with 5.1 channel preouts. Marantz receivers will have this feature even on the ones that were not too expensive when new. You could also use an older surround sound unit. I have a Marantz DP870 Dolby digital processor for sale that would take the optical out of the TV and give you 5.1 outputs that you could feed to the speakers. Don't know if I have a remote for it though. If you are interested email me at americanaudiophile@att.net.

Lethal-Injection · Jan 10, 2014

bluemr :

Lethal-Injection :

Thanks for the quick reply.Getting slightly confused with all this home theatre stuff! So I take it that means it's not as simple as cutting the RCA adapters to make speaker wire. From what I can understand, am I looking for any AVR with "pre outs?" And that would give me 5.1? Haven't bought any AVR yet, just looking for a cheap one that will give me 5.1 with the speakers I have (wall mounted so really want to make use!).

Definitely dont want to cut the actual cables of the speakers! And want to make use of the sub, because it's amazing. So I guess I need to find an amp like the Denon in that thread with pre-outs? Any amp with RCA out jacks on the back will do? And there's no cheaper or easier alternative?

Also if I find an older AVR like that, is there any disadvantage to plugging it straight into the TV with optical as opposed to HDMI in and out?

Thanks a lot and sorry for my ignorance.

Go with @americanaudiophile and his/her idea. The only disadvantage would be you would settle for dolby digital and not dolby truehd audio. But don't worry about that. Hope it works!

bluemr · Jan 10, 2014

Thanks a lot for the help everyone! Going to go for a Marantz from Ebay as americanaudiophile seems to be in the US

werner broedrich · Jun 11, 2014

Hi

I have connected up my super sub and my centre speaker to my Yamaha AV amp. ADA-995 - amazing!!

Cut off the plugs and wire in the red speaker cable to the red amp terminal, and the white speaker cable to the black amp terminal for the channel.

The sub was slightly more complicated and I cant remember the colours, but, cut the centre and sub plug off, determine by process of elimination the connections to the sub input on the amp (Please dont stick the wires into the socket, but rather wire in to a rca plug.

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HELP - Connecting AV Receiver to Some Old Speakers!

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