I recently purchased an onkyo m504 and have received some help on connections and for that I am grateful as I cant even obtain a manual. Would anyone know if I can just use standard rca type monster cables for the direct inputs to receiver or is there a special cable designed specifically for this type of setup. Next concern is ,is it acceptable to plug this unit into a joule protection outlet with other units sharing same one? The outlet bar is a good quality piece by monster. Your suggestions appreciated thanks .
Hi Ckman,
It's just a normal CD player - right? If this is the case, normal RCA connections, half decent cables would be perfectly fine.
One thing to be very careful of. Turbine RCA plugs "lock" on the outside skirt. I always tell clients not to use these. You have to turn into the direction of the cut to remove them without damage. Only buy RCA cables and plugs with straight "fingers" on the shield, and not oversized on the centre pin. It doesn't have to be real tight. The fork fingers in the centre actually form a gas-tight connection with the cable as long as they are not spread (from using the wrong RCA cables). If you use turbine cut cables you will eventuality rip out the ground on the jack. It's not because the jack is cheap, it's because the cable is not spec.
Normal RCA jacks on Japanese equipment. These are actually highly engineered, and inexpensive to manufacture, but they are not inferior connections. Stupid connectors will damage them. These actually have better connection than some heavy looking jacks.
-Chris
It's just a normal CD player - right? If this is the case, normal RCA connections, half decent cables would be perfectly fine.
One thing to be very careful of. Turbine RCA plugs "lock" on the outside skirt. I always tell clients not to use these. You have to turn into the direction of the cut to remove them without damage. Only buy RCA cables and plugs with straight "fingers" on the shield, and not oversized on the centre pin. It doesn't have to be real tight. The fork fingers in the centre actually form a gas-tight connection with the cable as long as they are not spread (from using the wrong RCA cables). If you use turbine cut cables you will eventuality rip out the ground on the jack. It's not because the jack is cheap, it's because the cable is not spec.
Normal RCA jacks on Japanese equipment. These are actually highly engineered, and inexpensive to manufacture, but they are not inferior connections. Stupid connectors will damage them. These actually have better connection than some heavy looking jacks.
-Chris
Hey thanks for your reply ,this unit is an amplifier only, it's a 50 pound piece of classic audio history, and im takin it slow getting some advice from you guys so I do this right. This unit has 2 rca connections on back called direct left and right I know where they go on the pioneer. But im unsure if it's just your normal rca type that come in a pair or if it's singles. Plus I understand that this unit is a power hungry piece. So I also want to make sure it will be ok to plug it in a community power strip or dedicate it. Just curious. Thanks for a quick answer. But long answer is no cd player just a big amp.
Okay, I didn't look it up to see. I am a professional audio technician with almost 50 years in.
Those will be normal RCA jacks, and they should be connected to a preamp. You can connect to a line level source if you use front panel volume controls, but they are a pain.
Plug it directly into the AC outlet, not through any line conditioners or filters. It draws current dynamically and with added impedance will cause the AC line to fluctuate to the other components.
Remove the bottom panel and inspect the main filter capacitors. Some times they vent or the seal ruptures. If you see this, do not plug it in, you need to replace them first. Then you need to check the bias current, and the DC offset voltage before connecting anything. Plugged in and on of course. I use a variac to bring up power slowly to avoid causing additional damage if you have a bad component.
Of course, I will strongly recommend you first take it to a good, trusted audio technician instead of trying anything yourself. THat person will have all the proper, good quality equipment (or run!). They can save you a ton of money just by checking it out. I would check audio equipment every 10 years, or if they behave abnormally in any way. Also, they can adjust it properly so you do in fact get good sound quality. If the amp has a speaker relay, it probably needs to be replaced by now, that is maintenance. Don't clean the contacts, they are plated (thin coating).
-Chris
Those will be normal RCA jacks, and they should be connected to a preamp. You can connect to a line level source if you use front panel volume controls, but they are a pain.
Plug it directly into the AC outlet, not through any line conditioners or filters. It draws current dynamically and with added impedance will cause the AC line to fluctuate to the other components.
Remove the bottom panel and inspect the main filter capacitors. Some times they vent or the seal ruptures. If you see this, do not plug it in, you need to replace them first. Then you need to check the bias current, and the DC offset voltage before connecting anything. Plugged in and on of course. I use a variac to bring up power slowly to avoid causing additional damage if you have a bad component.
Of course, I will strongly recommend you first take it to a good, trusted audio technician instead of trying anything yourself. THat person will have all the proper, good quality equipment (or run!). They can save you a ton of money just by checking it out. I would check audio equipment every 10 years, or if they behave abnormally in any way. Also, they can adjust it properly so you do in fact get good sound quality. If the amp has a speaker relay, it probably needs to be replaced by now, that is maintenance. Don't clean the contacts, they are plated (thin coating).
-Chris
Register here and download the M-504 service manual
https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/onkyo.shtml?category=power-amplifier
https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/onkyo.shtml?category=power-amplifier
Hey thanks alot for that info really appreciated, I am including some photos of the unit, it has been serviced and cleaned looks amazing. Best I've seen at this age,they also upgraded with led still traditional green so that is good. Thanks again for all the advice. And thanks for that line on a manual.
