The speaker amp, often simply called the amplifier, is the essential foundation of a home audio system. The amplifier takes the music from your turntable, CD player, or other source, and boosts the power so that the speakers can be driven. Wiring, or connecting, the amplifier properly is necessary if you want to enjoy the best possible sound from your system.
Instructions
1. Connect your musical sources to the amplifier. Amplifiers have a set of inputs on the back that allow you to hook up sources such as CD players. These inputs are almost invariably RCA plugs. Some amplifiers will use proprietary connectors, but this is unusual. Examine the back panel of the amplifier, and you'll find the input jacks labeled for their application -- for example, "CD," or "Tape." Connect an RCA patch cable between the outputs of your source and the inputs of the amplifier. If you're connecting a turntable, only use the "phono" input -- turntables operate at a much lower voltage than the other sources, and the phono input is designed for this application only.
2. Connect speaker wire to the speaker output terminals. Your amplifier will have at least one set of stereo speaker outputs (positive and negative, for right and left channels). In a typical stereo setup, where you're using two speakers, connect the right output to the right speaker, and the left to the left. Strip the insulation from the ends of your speaker wires, so that each wire has 3/8 inch of bare wire exposed. For the right speaker, unscrew the positive terminal of the right speaker output, slip the bare wire of the positive lead in and tighten down. Then unscrew the negative terminal of the right speaker ouput, slip the bare wire of the negative lead in and tighten. Repeat this for the left speaker outputs.
3. Connect the corresponding ends of your speaker wires to the speakers in your system--positive lead to positive terminal, and negative to negative. The terminals will operate in much the same fashion as the amplifier terminals did.
4. Plug the receiver into a 110-volt wall socket for power. Your amp wiring is completed.
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