my dad has some stereo speakers in our basement that he doesnt use any more (the kind that have little wires sticking out the back which are meant to clamp into a n amplifier). However, i do not own an amplifier. What i am wondering is if there is any way to hook these suckers to my computer. I have looked at other forum which explain how an amplifier is necessary because the speakers need powering. However, i was under the impression that speakers worked because of the ac current that came from the sound device and traveled through those two wires. If there is any way of getting around buying an amplifier please let me know. thanks
Yes you can hook them up to your computer. No they will not make any sound. Your computer does not have the power to break the power threshold of the speaker no matter how small it it. No all speakers need amplifiers unless they are really small. Most computer speakers have to be plugged into the wall because one of the speakers as a little amplifier. All speakers require DC not AC current. The current pushes and pulls on a set of magnets that are connected to the speaker paper. If you want sound you need power. That comes from an amp. Chances are those speakers are better than any computer speakers. To put it in perspective... Your sound card puts out current in miliwats. Without a booster amp, it is powerful enough to drive ear buds. My amp will deliver up to 1600 peak watts per channel. That is about a million times more power.
This can be done with a small cheap amplifier. Of course the better the amp the better the sound. If the speakers are low efficiency it will not be loud, if high efficiency then you should be ok. http://www.google.com/products/cata...THA5X4ygXig4XyCg&sa=title&ved=0CB8Q8wIwAzgA#p I don't know anything about this amp but it's under$60US. I found it right away on google "small stereo Amplifier" and there were others.Might be able to pick and old boom box and use it as the amp or and old amp (best) at a garage sale. Any baby boomer might be able to give you one their old amps. I'm still using a true quad Sansui 6500 Amp circa 1971. Good luck.
Yes my old friend is quite right. That is far better buying used. You plug the computer output into the Aux in the back. That input is about right for the power of a computer card output. That amp is probably better than what is in very expensive computer speakers. Otherwise, there are still ear buds.
Mez you answered his question well, I just gave him an inexpensive alternative that he already knew he needed. When I first needed a capture solution for my Dual turntable, I went to Radio Shack and sought a preamp, instead I settled for a cheap amp similar to the link. It worked as a preamp and I transcribed my LPs to mp3s complete with the minor imperfections of clicks and pops. I never connected my old KLH speakers which require a lot of power.
You took the higher road. I usually take the admonishing teacher when I sense the poster thinks they have a handle on the situation but is clearly clueless. That goes triple when the ignorant, 'know it all' thinks they know so much they are arrogant. For those there is no hope of salvation because they are lazy and care more what the other morons like them think than cracking a book. Did you check out the top sticky in this forum? The last link is the best. Every time I play the video I realized I had missed something the time before. My Dual died during my vinyl archive process. I think the motor burned out. I did the same. I didn't trust the imperfection clean up process. I figure the imperfections add to the ambiance. I have since learned the imperfections 'look different' enough to the clean up routines that they are safe. I opted to grab what I could and avoid the work. P2P is far easier. I do have some extremely rare vinyl that I don't expect to ever find, like 'Power Plant'. It has the first and most terrible version of White Rabbit. It has no audio value what so ever but the album is extremely humorous, especially the pictures and art work.
I now have two working Dual turntables-mine and one my friend's widow gave me. Also another Pioneer amp I use in my computer room.
All that old stuff are treasures. I just wished I had gotten on the stick and captured all that vinyl when the turntable worked.
