Question regarding the audio output wires on a old-school turntable.?

The audio output of a turntable is extremely low. You need a pre-amp to bring the level up to a point where it is what is called "line level." This can then be plugged into a TV or other amplifier connected to speakers.

The small wire is a ground wire. It is supposed to be connected to the ground terminal of the amplifier. It helps prevent buzz and hum.

The output signal level from the turntable cartridge is about 200 microvolts (0.2 millivolts), while the output from other audio sources is more like 100 millivolts. When you play a turntable on a stereo system, you have to plug the audio cables into the Phono inputs, because they have an additional preamplifier to bring the signal level up to normal line level (100 millivolts). If you just plug the audio cables from the turntable into a regular audio input jack (Tape, CD, Aux, etc.), the input signal level will be so low that you will barely hear the audio.

The single wire is a ground wire that you attach to the chassis of the amplifier (one of the screws that holds the metal case together, although there's probably a grounding post with a screw terminal on the back of the amplifier). This puts the turntable and the amplifier at the same ground potential. If you don't attach this wire to the amplifier, the slightest difference in ground potential will cause a ground loop, where some 60-cycle AC will pass between the turntable and the amplifier along the audio cables. And, since the preamplifier for the Phono inputs is so sensitive, you can hear an audible 60-cycle hum with the Phono input selected.

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Question regarding the audio output wires on a old-school turntable.?

My friend has got an old school turntable a while back and has just recently tried to play a couple of albums on it. The trouble is that when we plug the Red and White rca's into his TV the music from the TV's speakers is barely audible even when we turn it up to max volume.

There are...

Turntable Output

I do know what an LP is. I haven't owned a turntable ever though. I played the Footlose soundtrack on my friends turntable when I was in 5th grade. (Or 4th, little foggy.) So around 10-11 years old. Wow that means around 17 years ago!!! How sad.

Just what josh said couldn't put it better my self

other than the output is called phono this is extremely low and needs to be connected to an amp that has a phono input