Help with hookup

Here is what I checked-
Set on balanced and stereo.
Speaker cable is a u shaped audio zen cable, not bare wires.
Input is Dvd on preamp and selected that input.
Tried pushing tape moniter button several times. 
It did work very well, but he had been sick for about a year and didn't use it then. 
Using with CD player. Maybe it doesn't like The Temptations? 
Mute button not pushed on. 
I appreciate so much all the help and ideas!  We will keep trying .

 P.s.- you guys and girls are truly the best!

It's getting to the point when you really need to try to borrow from someone or somewhere a power amp, to swop into the system.  If it works with the replacement, then the guilty party is likely the power amp you have; if it still doesn't work, then that points to the preamp.

Do you have a multi-meter? If you do then put the leads on the speaker posts and see if you get a reading . With music playing the meter will fluctuate!