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Need help building my late fathers Audio Setup for Family XMAS dinner.

*I apologize for my ignorance in this high end audio world and my lack of terminology*

LINK TO PICTURES OF EQUIPMENT THAT I HAVE


I need help building my late father‘s radio equipment. Five years ago when my dad passed, I setup the system at my mother’s house. She listens to it maybe twice a year and one of those times being Christmas for the big Family dinner. When I arrived yesterday she was in tears because she could not get it to play. I don’t remember exactly what is missing. But the missing parts were either sold or in a storage unit which is in another state.

The equipment is as follows:
Speakers: Krell resolution 2
Amplifier: vacuum tube pre-amplifier--audio research--model LS27--high definition.
CD Player: 303/200--carry audio design--96 kHz 24-bit--HDCD Player
This was not plugged in but I found it in the attic: Magnum Dynalab--FT101--analog FM tuner.

There are these purple cables that are "flat type" that come from the speaker that don’t plug-in to anything and also there are two XLR cables that go from the pre-amplifier that also don’t connect to anything.

My questions are:
1. Is it possible to get music from the CD player to the speakers with this equipment?

2. If no, What is the least expensive way to get this baby running?
I saw at Best Buy an amplifier for a couple hundred bucks that has XLR inputs will that work?

Dinner Is on Tuesday which is 3 days away so I am definitely in a time crunch...Any help is greatly appreciated

Happy holiday to you and yours...thank you
baldo
14 responses Add your response
brite61
11 posts
 
Hi Baldo,

You are missing the amplifier. You connect the CD player to the pre amplifier (Audio Research) with the balanced cables that are on the pre amplifier. Then you connect the Audio Research pre amp to an amplifier. Then this amplifier connects to the speakers with the flat Nordost speaker cable.
Where is your mother living ?, maybe some local can help you. 

Recommended Amp Power for Krell Resolution 2 : 125 watts 
mrdecibel
3,064 posts
 
As above. Hello baldo, and Merry Christmas to you and yours. If your mom listens to the system twice a year, there should be a power amplifier connected to the speakers. But, as your listing of the equipment shows, you are missing the power amp, unless, it is hidden inside a cabinet, and not in sight. Based on your list of equipment, you are, indeed, missing the power amplifier, to drive the speakers. The amp at Best Buy might work, but you would need all of the proper cables, with corresponding connectors, between everything ( xlr, or rca ). What is this amp at BB ?. I will check it out, and get back to you. I am sorry you and your mom, are experiencing stress over this. I hope this helps. Enjoy ! MrD.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
The LEAST expensive way to get it running is to strip an inch or so off the ends of some ordinary lamp cord wire. Twist one wire and stick it in the RCA of the pre-amp output. Wrap the other around the outside of the RCA. Do the same for the other channel. Connect the other end to each speaker. 

It won't play loud but it will play. It won't be permanent, will probably need a rubber band to hold onto the RCA, but it will get the job done. And if you have enough wire laying around it will cost you nothing. 

You could even go just like this direct from the CD player. But the pre-amp will be better. It for sure has volume, and will have a lot better output stage that might even be good enough to sound fairly decent.
yakbob
476 posts
 
Baldo,
Mrdecibel is on thr money and has you covered.

Please do not take millercarbon's suggestion into consideration. Even though you're missing a power amp, the rest of the equipment is worth saving. 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
??? Did you even read the OP? For sure you didn't read mine! Or maybe.... ESL?
baldo OP
2 posts
 
brite61 and mrdecibel...Thank you! I think the missing amplifier is a krell kav 2250e (does that sound right?) luckily I found a picture from a few years back with the amp in the back round. however during the evacuation of the hurricane this summer (she lives on the beach in central/east Florida) my brother took the equipment up to his storage unit in North Carolina. Unfortunately we wont be using that this year. Now that I know what is missing I can move forward on getting something similar but the price is way out of my budget for a temporary fix.

millercarbon...I did ask for the least expensive way to get music to play. However, I did not consider that it could possibly ruin the rest of the equipment. Not to mention turning my childhood home into structure fire. None the less millercarbon you did deliver...so thank you...I guess...

Back to square one!

The Best Buy amp, I think would work but they don't have one at my store anyways. Using millercarbons idea (but without the "Macgyver" lol) could I bypass the xlr cables and amplifier all together and plug the pre-amp straight to the speakers or the cd player straight to the speakers? I understand it won't be loud but at least it will have music from those speakers. and to be honest I don't think she will even notice. 

thank you...
mrdecibel
3,064 posts
 
baldo, where in Florida are you ? I am in central Florida, and if you can make it to me, I am sure I have an amplifier in my collection you can use for this holiday dinner. I have amps with single ended inputs ( rca ), as well as balanced inputs ( xlr ). My zip is 32763. It would be a loan, or, it can become a purchase, whatever you wish. It would be my pleasure to help you in this way. Enjoy ! MrD.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,914 posts
 
Ditto, have easy access to a loaner PS Audio 200 C w RCA inputs in North Palm Beach

jim
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,914 posts
 
Pawn shop might also work would advise IF you go that route make sure it has fused speaker outputs !!!
yakbob
476 posts
 
One of the forums I frequent uses a reputation rewards system that allows members to add reputation to those who are helpful. I wish we had that here, because mrdecibel and tomic601 certainly deserve some positive reputation. Thanks for making meaningful contributions to this hobby.
Baldo, best of luck getting the system sorted, and Happy Holidays to your family!
almarg's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
almarg
9,670 posts
 
... could I bypass the xlr cables and amplifier all together and plug the pre-amp straight to the speakers or the cd player straight to the speakers?

I would definitely not do that. You would be applying a 4 ohm load to the output of the preamp (350 ohms specified output impedance) or the cd player (99 ohm output impedance per Stereophile measurements). The result of those impedance interactions would at best be a tiny amount of distorted sound. And damage to whichever component you did that with is certainly a possibility, after operating the component in that manner for an unpredictable amount of time.

Best of luck, and best wishes for the holidays.

Regards,
-- Al


imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,205 posts
 
Any stereo or av receiver from best buy will work, looking for one with speaker binding post not spring clip connectors, a pair of rca cable connect the cd player or preamp to the receiver line level input and you are in business! Buy a pair of speaker cable and some extra rca cables just in case, you always can return it later if not needed.

cd player --> preamp --> receiver --> speakers

or

cd player --> receiver --> speakers
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,701 posts
 
This inexpensive amp will do the trick! Have a Merry!
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pylepro-pro-pta1000-professional-power-amplifier-1000-watt-black/478366...
baldo OP
2 posts
 
THANK YOU ALL! I have been busy but I am going to make this work. I will let you know as soon as I have music...thanks again!
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