Hello everyone,

I have a RS turntable that I play 33 and 45 records on. It came with the software to download the records to my computer via USB and burn the music onto CD's.

I can also listen to the records on speakers, as shown in the photo there is a cable with two RCA plugs to use in a receiver, I have one connected to a speaker used for a computer, it works ok.

Question is, can I plug one of the RCA plugs into the RCA connection on the back of my RCA mod 15X and listen to the records through the radio on mono also like I am doing with the computer speakers?

I am not sure, I do not want to damage my turntable or the radio.

Thank you,

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k537/wandzelm/PICT2919_zpsa7c18867.jpg>

Mitch

:Hello everyone,
:
:I have a RS turntable that I play 33 and 45 records on. It came with the software to download the records to my computer via USB and burn the music onto CD's.
:
:I can also listen to the records on speakers, as shown in the photo there is a cable with two RCA plugs to use in a receiver, I have one connected to a speaker used for a computer, it works ok.
:
:Question is, can I plug one of the RCA plugs into the RCA connection on the back of my RCA mod 15X and listen to the records through the radio on mono also like I am doing with the computer speakers?
:
:I am not sure, I do not want to damage my turntable or the radio.
:
:Thank you,
:
::
:http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k537/wandzelm/PICT2919_zpsa7c18867.jpg>
:
:Mitch
:

The RCA 15X schematic doesn't show the presence of a phono input jack, so how it was implemented on your set is a matter of conjecture.

Usually, the phono jack is installed so that the phono program material can be input into one pole of a SPDT switch, with the other pole being the radio's detector output. So, the radio in phono mode just uses the first and second audio amp stages, plus the volume control. If that is how your 15X is set up, you can plug the turntable in with no risk of damaging anything. However, in doing so you are not actually getting "mono" sound: you are just getting one stereo channel. To get mono, you will need to mix the two "sides" before feeding them into your radio.

This is most easily done with a linear taper potentiometer (5K ohm), two female RCA jacks, and a male RCA plug on a short cable. Wire each "hot" contact of the female plugs to one of the two end contacts of the pot, and the "hot" wire to the center pin of the RCA plug to the pot wiper (middle contact), and then tie all the grounds together.
Set the pot wiper at approximately midrange, plug everything together, and have fun. The pot now functions like a signal mixer and local balance control so you can adjust left and right content to your preference.

:The RCA 15X schematic doesn't show the presence of a phono input jack, so how it was implemented on your set is a matter of conjecture.
:
:Usually, the phono jack is installed so that the phono program material can be input into one pole of a SPDT switch, with the other pole being the radio's detector output. So, the radio in phono mode just uses the first and second audio amp stages, plus the volume control. If that is how your 15X is set up, you can plug the turntable in with no risk of damaging anything. However, in doing so you are not actually getting "mono" sound: you are just getting one stereo channel. To get mono, you will need to mix the two "sides" before feeding them into your radio.
:
:This is most easily done with a linear taper potentiometer (5K ohm), two female RCA jacks, and a male RCA plug on a short cable. Wire each "hot" contact of the female plugs to one of the two end contacts of the pot, and the "hot" wire to the center pin of the RCA plug to the pot wiper (middle contact), and then tie all the grounds together.
:Set the pot wiper at approximately midrange, plug everything together, and have fun. The pot now functions like a signal mixer and local balance control so you can adjust left and right content to your preference.
:
:
:
Thanks CV,

The radio model # is 36X, my error.

When I plug the cable into the phono jack I get good sound. Toooooo much, it is loud even with the volume control set at min. As I turn the volume up it gets even louder. In radio mode I can turn the volume all the way down and up with good volume control.

Any ideas why this is so loud with the volume turned down using the turntable?

Thank you,

Mitch

Your turntable seems to have a ceramic cartridge. There is to much output from this cartridge. Try adding a resistor to the center pin of the RCA jack. Try different values till you are happy with it.

Since you said that the turntable can drive a speaker, it must have an internal amp to give it fairly high-level output. You need to knock this output voltage down to a level that is compatible with your radio. A simple voltage divider will do the trick.

CV,

I noticed the 36X doesn't have a level/volume control for the phono input. Evidently, the intended phonograph unit was supposed to have some manner of controlling the volume in the phonograph itself.

Clifton

:Since you said that the turntable can drive a speaker, it must have an internal amp to give it fairly high-level output. You need to knock this output voltage down to a level that is compatible with your radio. A simple voltage divider will do the trick.
:
:
:

In that case, a second pot (to control volume) could be inserted in the mixer after the "balance" pot; balance pot wiper to one end of the volume pot; other end of volume pot to ground, and volume pot wiper to the "hot" wire of the RCA plug.

It might be useful to hang a fixed voltage divider (as described earlier) on the balance pot wiper in order to limit the amount of signal going into the volume pot.

Should use an audio taper pot, 100K or so. That should allow enough control of the mixed turntable output for satisfactory use of the radio.

:In that case, a second pot (to control volume) could be inserted in the mixer after the "balance" pot; balance pot wiper to one end of the volume pot; other end of volume pot to ground, and volume pot wiper to the "hot" wire of the RCA plug.
:
:It might be useful to hang a fixed voltage divider (as described earlier) on the balance pot wiper in order to limit the amount of signal going into the volume pot.
:
:Should use an audio taper pot, 100K or so. That should allow enough control of the mixed turntable output for satisfactory use of the radio.
:
Thanks to all for the input,

A 100K pot did the job with the radio. In the end the digital computer speakers have the best sound.

Any ideas on a simple audio amplifier with speakers for the turntable, something with tone control. Maybe RS or Best Buy?

Thank you again,

Mitch

Any ideas on a simple audio amplifier with speakers for the turntable, something with tone control. Maybe RS or Best Buy?

Best Buy is probably a good place to look. eBay usually has loads of low-power inexpensive amps.

:Any ideas on a simple audio amplifier with speakers for the turntable, something with tone control. Maybe RS or Best Buy?
:
:
:Best Buy is probably a good place to look. eBay usually has loads of low-power inexpensive amps.
:
Hi Mitch, does your turntable have an earphone jack? If so you can make a simple device with parts from Radio Shack that would work off of the earphone jack. Let me know if you have one and if you do I'll give you the part numbers for the device. George T