No matter how good the stereo is, the acoustic interaction between the speakers and the room can sound better with an equalizer. Most preamplifiers or integrated amps have some sort of switchable loop in the signal path. The loop has to have a constant signal gain, not variable with the volume control. This is usually the tape monitor loop. When you connect an equalizer into this loop, the equalizer has a replacement tape monitor loop where you can reconnect the tape deck.
Step 1
On the back of the preamp or integrated amp, locate a cluster of RCA jacks marked "TAPE IN/OUT" or "TAPE MONITOR." Plug an RCA stereo cable red plug into the "TAPE OUT" red (right channel) jack. Plug the white or black plug into the "TAPE OUT" white (left channel) jack. If a tape deck is plugged into this cluster, unplug all its connections from the preamp before you start this step.
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Step 2
On the back of the equalizer, locate the "INPUT" or "IN" white and red jacks. Plug the other end of the Step 1 cable into the input's matching color jacks.
Step 3
Plug another RCA stereo cable into the "TAPE IN" left and right jacks on the preamplifier, again matching red to red, white to white or black. Connect the plugs on the other end of the cable to the "OUTPUT" or "OUT" left and right jacks on the equalizer.
Step 4
Locate the tape monitor input/output jacks on the back of the equalizer. Plug the tape deck's output RCA pair to the equalizer's "TAPE IN" jacks, again matching colors. Plug the tape deck's input RCA pair to the equalizer's "TAPE OUT" jacks.
Step 5
Depress the tape monitor button on the front of the preamp. Turn on all components and play music. Moving the sliding frequency controls on the equalizer should now change the sound coming from your speakers. If you want to play a tape, depress the tape monitor button on the front of the equalizer to connect the tape deck.
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