How to Wire Up Turn Tables

Turntables have made a big comeback. Many models are available for home listening. If you have a collection of vinyl records you're dying to hear, setting your stereo up with a turntable is a breeze.

Things You'll Need

• Amplifier or receiver
• Phono preamp (may be built into the amplifier/receiver)
• Turntable
• Stereo RCA cables

Instructions

1. Turn off power to the amplifier, phono preamp and turntable if they are on.

2. Plug the stereo RCA cables into the turntable's RCA jacks. Observe the color code: red equals right, white equals left.

3. Plug the other end of the RCA cables into the phono preamp input, again checking the color code stated above.

4. Locate the grounding wire on the turntable. It will be connected to the turntable's metal chassis. It may have green plastic insulation with a U-shaped lug terminal at the end.

5. Locate the ground screw on the amplifier/receiver. It should be a large silver knurled screw you can turn with your fingers. Loosen it, slip the U-shaped turntable grounding lug in, and tighten it.

6. If your phono preamp is a separate unit, plug a second set of stereo RCA cables into its output and plug the other end into a free input channel on the amplifier, observing the color code for right and left.

7. Turn on the power to the turntable, preamp and amplifier. Put a record on and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• The phono preamp is necessary because the phono cartridge puts out a smaller signal than a CD player or other stereo equipment. The ground wire helps control 60-cycle hum. However, if your amplifier lacks a proper grounding screw, tie up the green grounding wire neatly, tuck it away, and try the stereo without it.

References

• Grounding a Turntable
• Connect a Turntable to a Mixer
• USB Phono Preamp