amplifier

Does anybody know if it is possible to connect a record output signal(pick up) from a vinyl jukebox such as rockola 488 to a modern amplifier
thanks
Sean

Yes, that's possible. You can use the phono input of a modern amplifier instead of the jukebox amplifier if the jukebox uses a magnetic pickup. Cheaper amplifiers don't have this input anymore. If your amplifier doesn't have a phono input, you need an external phono preamplifier. The only problem is, that you will hear the noise from the needle brush and the "plop" when the needle hits the record. A jukebox amplifier mutes these unwanted sounds.
A better way to do this, is to add an extra output to the original amplifier. You can then use the original amplifier or the external modern one at the same time and you won't hear the noises. You will need some knowledge in electronics to do that. Basically you will need to find a point after the muting circuit, where the audio signal is present with an appropriate level for your amplifier.
On some amplifiers you will have to add an extra muting circuit because the muting is done at the speaker output.

Thanks for the info, my modern amplifier has a phone input, what way do you wire up/connect the wires from the jukebox tonearm so that it can be connected to the phono input of the amplifier, (the jukebox has a magnetic cartridge)
thanks
sean

Just as an addition to my last post, there are three wires coming from the tone arm(black, red and white) which are then wrapped ina shielded cable, the input to the jukebox amplifier has three prongs and the shield is attached via a bolt, what way do you configure the wires to from the phono connection
regards
sean

Red should be the right channel, the wire is connected to the pin of a red RCA plug.
White should be the left channel, connected to the pin of a white RCA plug.
The black should be the ground wire, connected to the sleeves of both plugs.
Normally, the pins on the cartridge are labelled (L, LG, R, RG), so you can check the colors.

Use a shielded cable for the connection, the center conductor is the signal, the shield is ground.

If you hear a humming sound, run an additional wire from the ground screw of your amplifier to the chassis of the jukebox.

thanks thats great i'll give it a go
regards
Sean

just another question, can the existing tweeter and bass speakers on the jukebox be used for connection to the amplifier, usually when i have used other speakers they are prewired regular speakers and you directly connect to the amp whereas now with the jukebox speakers they are seperately wired(if you know what i mean), what would be the correct way to connect them to the amp, the amp has posts for two sets of 8-16 ohm speakers or one set of 6 ohm speakers
regards
Sean

Hello Sean

You want to use the pick-up (and also the mechanism) and the speakers. Why you don't want to use the amplifier? The original amplifier has (as Marc mentioned) a muting circuit, which eliminates the noise while records are changed. It has also the AVC (Automatic Volume Control), which compensates different recording levels. And it fits perfectly to the internal speakers. It is also possible to connect additional external speakers (4 - 16 ohms or CV) and/or a mike kit (for public paging) to it.

Best regards - charly49

I am exploring the possibility of using a modern amp, the existing amplifier is playing up, one channel is completly dead, i have checked the driver boards, pre-amp, avc, power and mute boards, the only thing left would be one of the large caps, the sound originally was very low on the left channel, eventually started to crackle and is now gone.
regards
Sean

Hello Sean

Obviously there are errors nevertheless, even if you examined the boards.. You should give the amplifier to an amp repair man. The 488 (and most of the other made in the eighties) sounds great with the original amplifier, probably much better than with an other amp.

Best regards - charly49

i hooked up the pick up of the jukebox to an external amp and speakers, and grounded the amp with the chassis
, theres a fair bit of hum and interference, i guess i will have to try and repair the jukebox amp, thanks for everyones help
regards
sean