help with onkyo m-504 hookup

laotzu61

i started a thread in the hookup and wiring section, but think maybe it should have been put here. basically, i am having a major problem trying to connect my m=504 to my kenwood kr-5600 receiver to use as a temporary preamp. the jumpers on the preouts have been removed. i have not idea where to go from here. i need some help, please. thankyou.

halo71

I have the M504 in my rig. Hooking it up should be very straight forward. You should have a R/L output from the preamp (Kennywood) and those should hook into the R/L input (the only inputs) on the amp. Then run your speaker cables off the Oinker.

cnh

Halo's got your back.

But just to sum up. WIRE the L/R speakers directly to the Onkyo 504 speaker terminals with (16 gauge or lower wire). Then use some RCA cables to connect the KR-5600 pre-outs L/R to the Onkyo L/R "ins".

Turn on the Kenwood and the Onkyo, and connect whatever you need (your sources) to the Kenwood inputs, AUX, Tape 1, Tape 2, Phono, etc. The Kenwood volume, and other controls (bass and Treble) will determine the volume and sound output from the Onkyo!

Have fun. That Kenwood has a nice sound to it and with the "muscle" of the Onkyo behind it, it should sound great!

cnh

laotzu61

thanks for the response. i sent you an email earlier describing the whole situation. anyway, there are 2 inputs on the m-504. there are 4 preouts? on the kenwood. i have removed the jumpers from both. which side do i connect the kenwood then; right or left? (right 2 preout connection or left 2 preout connection.) thankyou.

cnh

I'll see if I can find a pic of the back of your Kenwood online and post it here so we can "see" what you're referring to. I find it strange that a mid-level Kenwood of that period would have two pre-out L/R?

cnh

halo71

Those 2 inputs on the M504 are the R/L channels that come from your preamp. On your Preamp, the Kenwood, one of those sets of preouts should be makred as OUT. Those are the ones (R/L) that will go to the M504 inputs. Don't worry about the other inputs on the preouts of the Kenwood.

cnh

OK, you only have ONE set of pre-outs back there. Each has ONE pre-out and ONE in. There is ONE Pre-out for the RIGHT channel and ONE Pre-out for the Left. Those are your TWO pre-outs to the Onkyo L to L, R to R on the Onkyo. Look at the picture closely. Read what each RCA says!

In the picture below, it is the LEFT Pre-out that will be used in each set of two. One is for the RIGHT, the other is for the Left. The RCAs to the right are "ins" NOT pre-outs!

Those jumpers you removed work this way. The first connects the Right Pre-out to the Right In on the Kenwood amp. The second connects the Left Pre-out to the Left In on the Kenwood amp!

So, RIGHT OUT to Onkyo RIGHT IN, and LEFT OUT to Onkyo LEFT IN! Your pre-outs are labeled OUT

Is that clear?

cnh

halo71

Run from the OUT on each side (R/L) to the inputs on the M504. Forget about the IN's.

laotzu61

THANKYOU!! so i want to use the 1 left out and the 1 right out. the right and left in remain unsed; correct? as i have 2 plugs on each rca connector cable i would be using then, it's okay to leave the other connector hanging? and thanks again.

cnh

halo71 wrote: »

Run from the OUT on each side (R/L) to the inputs on the M504. Forget about the IN's.

+1, it can't be said more simply than that!

cnh

halo71

Lao, you should be good to go now. I think you are over thinking things. Do what I said above and you should be golden. That M504 is a damn nice amp! I would love to have another someday. I want to do the LED mod to mine someday. I would suggest, when funds allow, to find a nicer preamp though. Right now I think that Kenny is your weak link in the chain.

laotzu61

yea, i know it is. it's all about money right now, which sucks. i do want to get either on onkyo P-304 or 6, or the hafler 110. in any event, i want to thank you guys very, very much for your help. and you're right about the over-thinking part; i have a tendency to do that sometimes. got mile's on now; "kind of blue" cd. one of my all-time favorites. back to the hookup after a break.
thanks again

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halo71

Good you got it going! The P301 is a worthy contender for the M504 as well. Usually much cheaper than the 304.


So what is in the rest of the rig? What speakers are you running?

laotzu61

RTA 12B's, and i love 'em to death. clearest, cleanest sounding speakers i've heard to date. i am aware that there are mods that can be made to them to make them sound even better (hard to believe) and i'm sure there are better speakers out there, but i'll wait till i can tackle the mods. this site is the cat's meow also, as far as i'm concerned. you have all been a great help.

laotzu61

forgot to add; sony cd player, dynaco equalizer (don't know where to hook it up in the mix now) and a kenwood KD-2000 turntable with an audio technica cartridge.

halo71

Well, although I would suggest ditching the EQ. You can hook it up through the tape monitor. Probably TAPE B on that preamp.

laotzu61

"why" on the equalizer? too much stuff interfering with the speakers? i do have it disconnected now, and it does seem the speakers sound better.

halo71

You answered your own question. :biggrin:

laotzu61

seems kind of goofy. i picked up the dynaco thinking that being able to control the output frequencies would lead to a better overall sound quality. i understand about interfering with the signal path, tho.

tonyb

laotzu61 wrote: »

THANKYOU!! so i want to use the 1 left out and the 1 right out. the right and left in remain unsed; correct? as i have 2 plugs on each rca connector cable i would be using then, it's okay to leave the other connector hanging? and thanks again.

Nothing should be "hanging".

Remove that metal "u" shaped clip on the back of the Kenwood that connects the pre amp out to the pre amp in. There's 2 of them. Connect one end of an RCA cable to the left preamp "out" and connect the other end to the amps left input. Repeat for the right side. Also make sure whatever RCA cable your using isn't directional. In other words, some may have an arrow on them indicating which way the signal flows. If yours do, the arrow should be pointing towards the amp.

The preamp "in" on the back of the Kenwood will just remain empty, do not stick that metal u shaped clip back in or leave it "hanging".

laotzu61

thanks. what i was refering to is that the rca connector cables i'm using have 2 plugs on each end. 1 plug will remain unused on each cable.

tonyb

Then those are the wrong cables to use. Those might be the old cheapo red and white cables that came with a cdp or dvd player. Go to any radio shack and get an RCA cable with one plug at each end. Or, call up Frank at Signal cable and tell him you need 2 rca cables and let him know your a member here and he will most likely give you a small discount too.

You can use those other older cables, but they are pretty much junk. Normally the cable had 2 ends, one for the left and right, so in that situation you'd use one cable.

leroyjr1

laotzu61 wrote: »

thanks. what i was refering to is that the rca connector cables i'm using have 2 plugs on each end. 1 plug will remain unused on each cable.

I got a nice pair of cables I'm not using that you're welcome to have. If so let me know as I'm not too far from you. Congrats on your new purchase.

laotzu61

leroyjr1 wrote: »

I got a nice pair of cables I'm not using that you're welcome to have. If so let me know as I'm not too far from you. Congrats on your new purchase.

i would appreciate that very much!! i want to follow tonyb's advice. please shoot me an email and we can hook uo somehow.
i wasn't aware till now there were any other site members in my area. thanks again.

leroyjr1

There's about ten of us that i know of in this area.

laotzu61

leroyjr1 wrote: »

There's about ten of us that i know of in this area.

anyone in west bend you may be aware of? instead of an email, you could just send me a pm on the site, too. and thanks yet again. pretty nice of you

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laotzu61

leroyjr1 wrote: »

I got a nice pair of cables I'm not using that you're welcome to have. If so let me know as I'm not too far from you. Congrats on your new purchase.

is this still a "go?" haven't heard from you. thanks.

leroyjr1

Yeah, very sorry been work long hours. Won't be able to hook up until the weekend unless you come by me. I'll send you my number.

laotzu61

gottcha. see you tomorrow. and thankyou very much!!

laotzu61

leroyjr1 wrote: »

I got a nice pair of cables I'm not using that you're welcome to have. If so let me know as I'm not too far from you. Congrats on your new purchase.

just wanted to say "thank you" for the interconnects, lee. pretty sweet!!