Hello guys, my name is Graham 2439. I've just inherited a Marantz CD273 Special Edition CD player - no extras, manual etc.
The item seems to be working - all lights and buttons live. I have hooked it up to a pair of old Wharfdale speakers and I can faintly hear that it's working, but there is no volume and it appears no control on the player. QUESTION: do I need an amplifier and if so could someone tell me what I should be looking for?
Many thanks for any help
The item seems to be working - all lights and buttons live. I have hooked it up to a pair of old Wharfdale speakers and I can faintly hear that it's working, but there is no volume and it appears no control on the player. QUESTION: do I need an amplifier and if so could someone tell me what I should be looking for?
Many thanks for any help
Welcome to diyAudio Graham 🙂
Any stand alone CD player always needs to be fed into an amplifier to drive speakers. At a basic level any 'Integrated Amplifier' which has lots of inputs is suitable. There are zillions out there new and used.
Something like the old Rotel RA820 if you want to look one of those up will show you the kind of thing.
What sort of speakers are you using ?
Any stand alone CD player always needs to be fed into an amplifier to drive speakers. At a basic level any 'Integrated Amplifier' which has lots of inputs is suitable. There are zillions out there new and used.
Something like the old Rotel RA820 if you want to look one of those up will show you the kind of thing.
What sort of speakers are you using ?
Virtually any stereo amplifier with a volume control will work for your purposes.
Since you are a novice and unlikely to be able to repair used equipment, only buy an amplifier
that can be demonstrated to work properly before you buy it.
The connection between the amplifier and speakers should be made with two conductor #16 or #18 lamp cord,
which can be found in a hardware store.
Since you are a novice and unlikely to be able to repair used equipment, only buy an amplifier
that can be demonstrated to work properly before you buy it.
The connection between the amplifier and speakers should be made with two conductor #16 or #18 lamp cord,
which can be found in a hardware store.
Wow, that was quick! Thank you both for helping out.
I sort of guessed that there was something missing - no ide what happened to the amplifier that would have come with this piece!
I was slightly fooled by the fact that there does not seem to be much in the way of inlet ports on the Marantz. There is a "left" & "right" - for speakers, but then only a socket marked "DIG OUT". Presumably that's for the amplifier?
Sorry to be such a dummy, but having decided to try out a proper player, I need to get an idea of what's needed
I sort of guessed that there was something missing - no ide what happened to the amplifier that would have come with this piece!
I was slightly fooled by the fact that there does not seem to be much in the way of inlet ports on the Marantz. There is a "left" & "right" - for speakers, but then only a socket marked "DIG OUT". Presumably that's for the amplifier?
Sorry to be such a dummy, but having decided to try out a proper player, I need to get an idea of what's needed
The L & R are RCA line level outputs for feeding into the RCA line level inputs of an amplifier.
The DIG OUT sends audio to an amplifier with a digital audio input.
The DIG OUT sends audio to an amplifier with a digital audio input.
Here is an inexpensive stereo amplifier option: https://www.amazon.co.uk/auna-AV2-C...66405&sprefix=stereo+amplifier,aps,137&sr=8-3
OP should just be aware that the "line level" of the output signal of a CD-player is typically 2V while the input level for older amplifiers can be anything e.g. in range 0,2...0,5V.
In other words the CD-player may be inconveniently "loud" for an older amp.
Solution is easy - attenuate the signal with two resistors (per channel) or some external volume pot or buy a more modern amplifier targeted at 2V input signal level.
You need a cable like the one linked to below in order to connect the L and R outputs of your CD player to the L and R CD inputs on the back of the amplifier.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazon-Bas...67069&sprefix=stereo+rca+cable,aps,202&sr=8-5
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazon-Bas...67069&sprefix=stereo+rca+cable,aps,202&sr=8-5
Indeed. Without attenuation, CD players are not compatible with the line level inputs of vintage amplifiers.
The OP should look for a modern amplifier with L & R CD inputs like the ones present on the rear of the amp I offered up as an option.
EDIT: Our posts crossed Graham!
Graham mentions "old Wharfedales".
If they are from the 1970s on, they are likely to have 6 Ω nominal impedance.
I notice the amp to which I linked states "8 -16 Ω" speakers, which I interpret as telling us definitely not to use 4 Ω speakers.
If Graham wishes to avoid any doubt as to 6 Ω compatibility, here is an alternative choice of "best buy" budget amp, one that has been said in customer reviews to work well with CD players and Wharfedale speakers:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BQC7...onics&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&th=1
If they are from the 1970s on, they are likely to have 6 Ω nominal impedance.
I notice the amp to which I linked states "8 -16 Ω" speakers, which I interpret as telling us definitely not to use 4 Ω speakers.
If Graham wishes to avoid any doubt as to 6 Ω compatibility, here is an alternative choice of "best buy" budget amp, one that has been said in customer reviews to work well with CD players and Wharfedale speakers:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BQC7...onics&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&th=1