digital amplifier cables to speaker help

jonniebgood1

I am buying a digital amplifier to use to power a part surround sound system (dont want rear speakers -hence only part system) I have new proson speakers which require bare wire speaker cable into them. The thing that has me puzzled is the output from alot of the digital amplifiers seems to be RCA. Is it possible or common to connect an RCA output into a speaker by cutting the cable and connecting it into the speakers?
Would this damage the speakers? do I need an amplifier with speaker out connections only to suit the speakers?
Many thanks

mossym

usually rca connectors are unamplified line level signals. you can't drive speakers from them.


What digital amplifier are you talking about? you got a link?

Slaphead07

jonniebgood1 wrote:

The thing that has me puzzled is the output from alot of the digital amplifiers seems to be RCA.

I'm puzzled too..... the amp should have binding posts (or similar) to connect the speakers to. RCA sockets are usually inputs for DVD, CD or whatever.... outputs could be for a power amp or a single RCA could actually be a coaxial digital input.
We'd need to know the exact model of amp and then have a look at the back panel diagram from an online manual... ideally.

jonniebgood1

I have been told that was looking at imputs instead of out? (apologies, this is new to me.)
The speakers I got are these
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=319885

and I was looking at a cheap A/v amplifier receiver

http://cgi.ebay.ie/5-1-800-W-Dolby-Surround-DTS-Amplifier-HIFI-Home-Cinema_W0QQitemZ260159646138QQihZ016QQcategoryZ122650QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Is a cheap receiver like this a good idea or should I be paying 5 times more for a brand name that I have heard of? this one is skytronic?

mossym

that will most likely drive the speakers you linked to alright, if it works, Whether or not it'll sond any good i have no idea.

it has no digital inptus though, so if you want to get surround sound from a dvd player you will need one with 6 analog outputs on the back, you will not be able to use a single digital connection with this amp


to be honest it looks like rubbish to me, but for that prices who knows...might be worth trying...i've never heard of the make

Slaphead07

mossym wrote:

to be honest it looks like rubbish to me, but for that prices who knows...might be worth trying...i've never heard of the make

Agreed, I wouldn't touch it. Get a second hand AV amp if budget is a problem right now.

jonniebgood1

Ok- I suspected that may be the case. Price to good to be true! As budget is sticky at the mo will try and search out 2nd hand receiver from better manufacturer. Although entry level systems are not that much more with richer sounds and a pioneer system which seems to have the digital inputs that mossym mentions.
http://www.rebelio.ie/app/urwfilter/catalog/do/action/ShowProductDetail/productId/32280/sname/Pioneer_VSX_416_S_Silver/index.html

Thanks for the replies- they are v helpful

mossym

aye, you're looking at better stuff now. there'll be no comparision between that and the ebay one.

ZENER

That ebay "yoke" doesn't even have a dolby/thx/dts decoder ffs ! It's a box with 5 amplifiers built inside. I live by the old maxim - you get what you pay for - always served me well !

ZEN

mossym

just to point out, thx aint a decoder...

ZENER

You're right, it's a standard that amplifiers are capable of and certified to reproduce. The amplifier the OP points to has neither.

ZEN