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How to play music on an old music system ??

post #1 of 9
4/7/12 at 12:05pm
Thread Starter 
I was recently given an amplifier, a cassette deck and a pair of (huge) speakers by my dad, which he had bought way back in ’84. Anyway, I thought that it would be cool to have a vintage music system and am therefore looking forward to setting it up. But the problem is that the system is almost 28 years old so I’m not sure whether the inputs/outputs on it will be compatible with the modern day audio connectors.

So basically what I’m asking is for a way to allow me to play music form my iPod on the aforementioned system.

I’ve given below the specs and photos relating to the cassette deck, amplifier and speakers.

P.S. – I’m new to this and am not familiar with the jargon, so it would be a big help if you guys could dumb down your answers for me.

Thanks.

1) Speakers-
Sonodyne SX-900


Specs:

Peak input power: 90 watts
Frequency response: 40 Hz to 20 KHz
Impedance: 8 ohms


2) Amplifier-
JVC A-K100 Stereo Integrated Amplifier

Specs:

RCA/'Phono' type inputs: Phono, Tuner, Aux, Tape
Digital Optical inputs: None
Digital Coaxial inputs: None
HDMI inputs: None
IPOD/MP3 input: No
Pre-amplified RCA outputs: Tape
Pre amplified digital outputs: None


Pictures:

http://www.grrpicturehosting.co.uk/2...5_2_12_095.JPG
http://www.grrpicturehosting.co.uk/2...5_2_12_105.JPG
http://www.grrpicturehosting.co.uk/2...5_2_12_104.JPG
http://www.grrpicturehosting.co.uk/2...5_2_12_103.JPG
http://www.grrpicturehosting.co.uk/2...5_2_12_102.JPG
http://www.grrpicturehosting.co.uk/2...5_2_12_101.JPG
http://www.grrpicturehosting.co.uk/2...5_2_12_100.JPG
http://www.grrpicturehosting.co.uk/2...5_2_12_099.JPG
http://www.grrpicturehosting.co.uk/2...5_2_12_098.JPG
http://www.grrpicturehosting.co.uk/2...5_2_12_097.JPG
http://www.grrpicturehosting.co.uk/2...5_2_12_096.JPG
http://www.grrpicturehosting.co.uk/2...5_2_12_106.JPG

3) Cassette Deck-
JVC KD-V100 Stereo Cassette Deck
Stereo Cassette Deck, ANRS/Dolby noise reduction for clean, clear recordings, 6-LED multi-peak indicators, one set per channel, 3-digit tape counter, jacks for microphones, input level controls, tape selector (metal, CrO2, normal).


Specs:

Frequency Response:
At -20VU:
Metal Tape: 30 — 16,000Hz (40 — 15,000Hz ±3dB)
SA/Chrome Tape: 30 — 16,000Hz (40—15,000Hz ±3dB)
Normal Tape: 30 — 15,000Hz (40—14,000Hz ±3dB)
At 0VU:
Metal Tape: (40 — 11,000Hz ± 3dB)
SA/Chrome Tape: (40 — 8,000Hz ±3dB)

Signal to-Noise Ratio: 58dB (Metal)
Wow and Flutter: 0.08 % (WRMS)
Crosstalk: 60dB (1kHz)
Channel Separation: 40dB (1 kHz)

Harmonic Distortion:
Total (0VU, 1kHz): 1.0% (Metal)
K3 (0VU, 1kHz): 0.5% (Metal)

Heads:
Record/Playback: Metaperm Head
Erase: Two-Gap Ferrite Head

Motor(s): Electronic Governor DC Motor
Fast Forward/Rewind Time: 100 seconds (with C-60 Cassette)

Input Sensitivity/Impedance:
Mike x 2: 0.3mV/600 – 10k ohms
Line In x 2: 80mV/100k ohms

Output Level/Impedance:
Line Out x 2: 300mV/5k ohms

Power Consumption: 10 watts
Power Source:
A type: 240V, 50/60Hz
U type: 110/220/240V, 50/60Hz
Dimensions (W x H x D, mm): 435 x 115 x 237
Weight: 3.5kg



Pictures:

Auctiva Image Hosting

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post #2 of 9
4/7/12 at 12:23pm
Quote:


But the problem is that the system is almost 28 years old so I'm not sure whether the inputs/outputs on it will be compatible with the modern day audio connectors.

The short answer is yes, they're completely compatible. What you need are two interconnects (aka patchcords) to connect the cassette deck to the amp (out to tape in, in to tape out). Also, a pair of speaker cables to connect the speakers.

Quote:


So basically what I'm asking is for a way to allow me to play music form my iPod on the aforementioned system.

The easy way is just to get a cable with an eighth-inch stereo jack at one end and two quarter-inch RCA jacks at the other. Like this. The former goes in the iPod, the latter in one of the inputs in the amp (any one except phono).
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post #3 of 9
4/7/12 at 12:27pm
Tape deck is likely useless. You can connect your iPod to aUX input. That is all you need to do.
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post #4 of 9
4/7/12 at 12:50pm
The tape deck might not be useless if your father included his collection of tapes with it. Listening to the old-timey tape noise, limited bandwidth, wow, and flutter will give you a better appreciation of how much the music recording industry has improved over the years.
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post #5 of 9
4/7/12 at 1:22pm
Nice stuff! Enjoy and let us know how it sounds.
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post #6 of 9
4/7/12 at 2:37pm
Attached is a snapshot from the owners manual I found at Hi Fi Engine.
It shows everything you need, except the CDP or ipod dock which would connect to the AUX/DAD input (2nd from left).

I suggest you join HFE and download the whole manual. It's too big to attach.
LL
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post #7 of 9
4/7/12 at 2:54pm
.
Your JVC's inputs labeled DAD/AUX, Tuner and Tape Play are referred to as Line Level inputs. Any audio component, with Line Level outputs, can be plugged into these using RCA interconnect cables. The naming of the inputs and the corresponding labeling on the front panel Selector Switch just makes the unit easy to set up and use. Not only can these Line Level inputs work with CD players, Tape decks, Tuners, etc; they can work equally well with the analog outputs available on many more modern (otherwise, digital) players like your iPod (in the manner mcnarus has described), Logitech Squeezebox Touch etc, etc.

However, the input named Phono is not line level and you should NEVER! plug anything into it except a traditional type of Turntable/Record Player! This is because Phono inputs lead to a Phono Pre-amp that is necessary for the correct playback of vinyl. (Traditional turntables will sound awful if plugged directly into a line level input.)

FYI: Some newer turntables now have their own integrated Phono Pre amp. These can output a Line Level signal and should then only be connected to line level inputs.

Some cassette tape decks seem to last almost forever, while others die young and probably aren't worth the cost of repair. Cassette tapes too can sound good enough for decades after being recorded while others will get really wonkie. Your Dad's taste in music..... (priceless?)

If you were wondering: The Tape REC on your JVC is a Line Level output.

.
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post #8 of 9
4/11/12 at 11:46am
Thread Starter 
Wow, wasn't expecting that many answers.
Thanks for all the info guys, really appreciate it.
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post #9 of 9
4/11/12 at 11:57am
You're very welcome.

I suspect most of us answering are of your father's generation, or older...

Old audiophiles never die. They just fade into the noise.
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