How to connect vintage bookshelf speakers to PC?

[Ruppe]

Hi.

I bought a nice pair of vintage speakers (Technics SB-F2), and I'm wanting to connect them to my PC. I have no idea of how to go about doing this. From what I've researched so far, it looks like I need a receiver or amp I think...?

The only connections on the back of the speakers are raw wire, so they're not powered.

I'm on a pretty tight budget, so the cheaper, the better. (I usually end up buying used from eBay though).

Any help would be very much appreciated!

Thanks,

Hunter

 

[which_doctor]

If the speakers are passive and do not come with its own power supply you will need an amplifier.

Does it have a 3.5mm line in?

just FYI i'm not an audio expert

 

[dudio]

You are correct, you'd need an amp/receiver (something to power the speakers).
Your best bet is to look at local classified ads for used stuff (newspaper, kijiji.com , craigslist) or a store that deals in used electronics. You don't need much of an amp, since those speakers can handle 50 watts of power at the max. You can get a simple amp/receiver that only does stereo if you only plan to run the 2 speakers. Most amplifiers like that have RCA style inputs, and you would need a 3.5mm stereo cable to two RCA Male connectors to connect the PC to the amp. They typically come in 3, 6, 10, 15 foot lengths and can be sourced from eBay or a local computer/stereo shop cheaply.

 

[alexoiu]

Hi, I'm using an old AVR 130. It's pretty decent for a small room and plenty of connections options.
http/www.ebay.com/itm/Harman-Kardon-AVR-130-5-1-Channel-55-Watt-Receiver-Excellent-Condition-/252648782931?hash=item3ad30a7c53:g:EzQAAOSwal5YNTkB

 

[Ruppe]

Hi, I'm using an old AVR 130. It's pretty decent for a small room and plenty of connections options.
http/www.ebay.com/itm/Harman-Kardon-AVR-130-5-1-Channel-55-Watt-Receiver-Excellent-Condition-/252648782931?hash=item3ad30a7c53:g:EzQAAOSwal5YNTkB

Thanks for the response. Do you know of any cheaper options though? Maybe something with less connections. I would like to add a sub later on, but I really don't need most of what that thing is offering.

 

[Ruppe]

You are correct, you'd need an amp/receiver (something to power the speakers).
Your best bet is to look at local classified ads for used stuff (newspaper, kijiji.com , craigslist) or a store that deals in used electronics. You don't need much of an amp, since those speakers can handle 50 watts of power at the max. You can get a simple amp/receiver that only does stereo if you only plan to run the 2 speakers. Most amplifiers like that have RCA style inputs, and you would need a 3.5mm stereo cable to two RCA Male connectors to connect the PC to the amp. They typically come in 3, 6, 10, 15 foot lengths and can be sourced from eBay or a local computer/stereo shop cheaply.

I really appreciate all the info! Do you have any recommendations for a simple amp/receiver? Alexoiu mentioned one that seems good enough, but it's still a bit pricey, and it has a lot more than what I'm needing.

 

[Dugimodo]

T-amps sell cheap on E-bay and sound better than anything else in the same price range. I use one on my pc with some old wharfedale bookshelf speakers and it sounds great, cost me ~ $60 shipped all the way to NZ. Similar to this one http/www.ebay.com/itm/SMSL-AMP-03-TA2020-Tripath-TA2020-Cute-Class-T-Mini-Amplifier-20WX2-BLACK-New-/141285835925?&_trksid=p2056016.m2518.l4276

 

[Ruppe]

If the speakers are passive and do not come with its own power supply you will need an amplifier.

Does it have a 3.5mm line in?

just FYI i'm not an audio expert

Thx for the response. It does not have a 3.5mm line in. Here's a link to a pair on eBay: http/www.ebay.com/itm/Technics-SB-F2-Black-Speakers-Xtra-rare-COLLECTORS-ITEM-WORKS-/122361214386?hash=item1c7d4bf5b2:g:L9MAAOSwfVpYqKnF

 

[Ruppe]

T-amps sell cheap on E-bay and sound better than anything else in the same price range. I use one on my pc with some old wharfedale bookshelf speakers and it sounds great, cost me ~ $60 shipped all the way to NZ. Similar to this one http/www.ebay.com/itm/SMSL-AMP-03-TA2020-Tripath-TA2020-Cute-Class-T-Mini-Amplifier-20WX2-BLACK-New-/141285835925?&_trksid=p2056016.m2518.l4276

That seems like it would work perfectly. The only question I have is, would this be able to power the Technics SB-F2 sufficiently?

 

[alexoiu]

Hi, I'm using an old AVR 130. It's pretty decent for a small room and plenty of connections options.
http/www.ebay.com/itm/Harman-Kardon-AVR-130-5-1-Channel-55-Watt-Receiver-Excellent-Condition-/252648782931?hash=item3ad30a7c53:g:EzQAAOSwal5YNTkB

Thanks for the response. Do you know of any cheaper options though? Maybe something with less connections. I would like to add a sub later on, but I really don't need most of what that thing is offering.

No problem.
Then something like http/www.ebay.com/itm/Onkyo-TX-8011-2-Channel-100-Watt-Receiver-/272617421865?hash=item3f7943bc29:g:YmgAAOSwZ1BXcgCk

 

[dudio]

alexoiu suggests some nice used amps, but the reason I didn't suggest eBay, and rather recommended local used is due to the shipping costs. Where are you located roughly Ruppe?

 

[Ruppe]

alexoiu suggests some nice used amps, but the reason I didn't suggest eBay, and rather recommended local used is due to the shipping costs. Where are you located roughly Ruppe?

That makes sense. I'm in NC, not far from Charlotte. So you'd recommend one of those type receivers rather than a more simple T-amp? Like this: http/www.ebay.com/itm/Indeed-Tripath-TA2020-Cute-Class-T-Mini-Amplifier-20WX2-hard-to-find-/252873020324?hash=item3ae06813a4:g:UlsAAOSwBOtY9EO7

 

[jsmithepa]

U maybe overthinking this. There is nothing in the house? garage? storage, an old radio, receiver? It can be 40 years old, amplifiers haven't changed that much, u don't need anything fancy.

 

[Clovis559]

Garage Sale even. This could be your stepping stone to surround.
If were' really trying to be this frugal, you could find an old Logitech Sub, if it had the controller all you would need would be RCA to Open wire, and a little prayer...

 

[Alabalcho]

Be careful with that last "Indeed" - it is a car amp, and you would need (expensige) power block to feed it.
If you look at other online stores, you can get well-reviewed units for under $40, and some of them even have BT option.

 

[Dugimodo]

When you are sitting in front of it 20W is plenty, enough to fill a small room with noise and loud enough to listen to around the house. An audio review I read said most music is listened to at 10W or less. Bear in mind doubling the power is a barely audible volume difference so 100W is nowhere near 5 times as loud as 20W. The human ear is not a li ear device.

 

[Ruppe]

U maybe overthinking this. There is nothing in the house? garage? storage, an old radio, receiver? It can be 40 years old, amplifiers haven't changed that much, u don't need anything fancy.

Unfortunately not. I'm only 16, so don't really have anything. lol

 

[dudio]

I would look at Craigslist for your area. $25-40 should get you a 5.1 AV Receiver that will allow you to upgrade and use surround if you want, as well a adding a sub. Google a model you think might be decent and see what reviews you can find. Some names in that price range to watch for would be Sony, Pioneer, Denon,..
Here's an example near you : https/charlotte.craigslist.org/ele/6069307521.html

 

[Ruppe]

I would look at Craigslist for your area. $25-40 should get you a 5.1 AV Receiver that will allow you to upgrade and use surround if you want, as well a adding a sub. Google a model you think might be decent and see what reviews you can find. Some names in that price range to watch for would be Sony, Pioneer, Denon,..
Here's an example near you : https/charlotte.craigslist.org/ele/6069307521.html

Really appreciate all the time you spent to help me! I'll definitely take your suggestion & try to find a local one.

 

[jsmithepa]

Unfortunately not. I'm only 16, so don't really have anything. lol

What is a family for? am sure Grandpa/Dad got some old stuff sitting somewhere.