How To Hook Up A Turntable (Useful Guide) | vinyl reboot (2023)

In this guide, I'll explain everything you need to know to get connecteddifferent types of turntablesfor hi-fi systems, receivers, active loudspeakers, Sonos and computers.

Based on numerous questions from readers about hooking up turntables, I think a lot of the confusion stems from not fully understanding the difference between PHONO and LINE signals. Or the PHONO preamp function.

So I'll start this guide with a quick lesson on PHONO, LINE, and preamps. To lay a good foundation.

After that, we'll look at different turntable setups and how to connect them in detail.

Sounds good? Let's go!

What are PHONO, LINE and preamp?

The PHONO signal is the small signal emitted by the turntable's cartridge. It is much weaker than a standard audio signal from CD players and other types of audio sources.

The standard audio signal that CD players and other types of music sources output is called the LINE signal.

A LINE signal from a CD player is typically 100 times larger than the PHONO signal from a turntable.

So if we connect a PHONO signal from a turntable to a LINE signal input of a stereo receiver, the music is barely audible.

The weak PHONO signal is converted into a normal LINE signal by the famous PHONO preamplifier.

A PHONO preamplifier inputs a PHONO signal and outputs a LINE signal.

Some turntables have a built-in phono preamp. A turntable with a built-in preamp outputs a normal LINE signal like a CD player.

But not all turntables have a built-in preamp. Turntables without a built-in preamp must be used with a separate preamp. Or with a receiver that has a built-in preamp.

In order to hook up a turntable properly, we need to know whether the turntable has a built-in preamp or not.

If there is a switch labeled PHONO/LINE on the back of the turntable, the turntable has a built-in preamp. The preamp is enabled when the switch is set to LINE.

If not, the turntable does not have a built-in preamp and will only output a PHONO signal.

Amplifiers, receivers, and even self-powered speakers sometimes also have a built-in preamp.

If your amplifier, receiver, or powered speakers have a PHONO input, they have a built-in phono preamp.

If none of your stereos have a built-in phono preamp, you will need to use a separate phono preamp to play vinyl records.

Please take a look at oursdetailed article or differences of PHONO and LINEif you want a deeper understanding of this type of signals.

A turntable that outputs a PHONO signal must be connected to a PHONO input. This can be done on a receiver, powered speakers, or the PHONO input of a separate preamp. PHONO outputs are only compatible with PHONO inputs.

A turntable that outputs a LINE signal can be connected to all types of LINE inputs. A LINE input can be identified as CD, AUX, TAPE, TUNER, ANALOG, LINE, etc. Therefore, a LINE entry can have many names.

No, hoping that we have a decent understanding of signal levels and phono preamps, let's look at how different turntable setups connect.

Connect a turntable with a built-in preamp to a receiver

In this example, I'm connecting my Audio-Technica AT-LP120 turntable, which is outputting a LINE signal to my receiver. In this configuration we use theBuilt-in preamp in turntable.

(The AT-LP120 can indeed switch between PHONO and LINE, but I'm using it in LINE mode in this example.)

I just plug the RCA cable from the turntable into one of the LINE inputs on my receiver. In the example below I connected the RCA jack of the turntable to the CD input of the receiver.

To play discs with this configuration, I select CD in my receiver's source selector.

Connect a turntable without a preamp to a receiver

In this example I connect my Rega planar turntable which outputs a PHONO signal with the to my receiverBuilt-in preamp in the receiver.

Here I connect the RCA cable from the turntable to the PHONO input of my receiver. When using the PHONO input, the preamplifier built into my receiver is used. I make sure to set the MM/MC switch to MM as my Rega turntable has a moving magnetic cartridge.

To play discs with this configuration, I select PHONO in my receiver's source selector.

Connect a turntable without a preamp to a receiver without a preamp

In this example I connect my Rega Planar turntable which outputs a PHONO signal to my receiver via aexternal preamp. This would be the only option if my receiver didn't have a built-in preamp. As is the case with many receivers these days.

As we have already learned, the preamp has a PHONO input and a LINE output. Converts the PHONO signal to LINE.

I connect the RCA cable from my Rega turntable to the preamp input. Then connect the preamp output to one of the LINE inputs on my receiver using another RCA cable. In the following example I use the CD entry.

To play discs with this configuration, I select CD in my receiver's source selector.

Connect the turntable to powered speakers

Active speakers typically have one or more LINE inputs.

connect aTurntable with built-in preamppowered speakers simply connect the turntable's RCA cable to a LINE input on the powered speakers.

To connect a turntable without a built-in preamp to powered speakers, you must use a separate preamp between the turntable and the speakers. Connect the turntable's RCA cable to the preamp input. And the preamp output to the LINE input of the powered speakers.

Some powered speakers also have a PHONO input, but these are rare. If you have such a configuration, you can connect a turntable with a built-in preamp to a LINE input of the powered speakers and a turntable without a built-in preamp to the PHONO input of the powered speakers.

Connect the turntable to wireless Bluetooth speakers

To connect a turntable to wireless bluetooth speakers, you need a turntable withBluetooth capability.Many manufacturers make Bluetooth versions of their base models. A popular model that's getting rave reviews is the Audio-Technica AT-LP60BK-BT.

There is also the option of using a Bluetooth transmitter to 'convert' a regular turntable into a wireless turntable.

For more information on wireless turntables and how to connect them, seeThis articlewhich fully covers this topic.

Connect a turntable to a mini hi-fi system

Mini hi-fi systems usually have one or more LINE inputs.

To connect a turntable with a built-in preamp to a mini hi-fi system, simply connect the turntable's RCA cable to a LINE input on the mini hi-fi system.

To connect a turntable without a built-in preamp to a mini hi-fi system, you must use a separate preamp between the turntable and the mini hi-fi system. Connect the turntable's RCA cable to the preamp input. And the preamp output to the LINE input of the mini hi-fi system.

If the analog LINE input of the mini hi-fi system a3.5mm jack socketYou need an RCA to 3.5mm adapter.

Connect the turntable to the home theater system

Home theater systems typically have one or more LINE inputs.

To connect a turntable with a built-in preamp to a home theater system, simply connect the turntable's RCA cable to a LINE input on the home theater system.

To connect a turntable without a built-in preamp to a home theater system, you must use a separate preamp between the turntable and the home theater system. Connect the turntable's RCA cable to the preamp input. And the preamp output to the LINE input of the home theater system.

Connect your turntable to Sonos

Sonos devices (Amp, Play:5, Connect, and Connect:Amp) have a LINE audio input.

To connect a turntable with a built-in preamp to Sonos, simply connect the turntable's RCA cable to the LINE audio input on your Sonos device.

To connect a turntable to Sonos without a built-in preamp, you must use a separate preamp between the turntable and the Sonos device. Connect the turntable's RCA cable to the preamp input. And the preamp output to the LINE audio input of your Sonos device.

Check overthis guideon the Sonos blog for a full explanation.

Connect or record the player to the soundbar

If your soundbar is equipped with an analog LINE input (usually labeled AUX), it can be connected directly to a turntable with a built-in preamp, or through a preamp to a turntable without a built-in preamp. See the previous section on connecting a turntable to powered speakers. A soundbar with an analogue LINE input is connected to a turntable in the same way as active loudspeakers. You may need an RCA to 3.5mm adapter.

Unfortunately, many soundbars only have digital inputs such as HDMI and optical inputs. If that's the case, unfortunately there's no easy way to connect this soundbar to any turntable I'm aware of.

Connect the turntable to the computer

Some turntables have a USB output that allows us to use the turntables to rip vinyl records and save the music in digital formats on our computer.

These turntables have a USB connector that connects to a USB port on a PC or MAC using a standard USB cable.

Copying the music usually requires the use of special software or application. This is usually provided by the turntable manufacturer. Therefore, refer to your user manual for the appropriate instructions on how to install and use the software or application.

related questions

Can I connect a turntable to the CD input?

A turntable can be connected to a CD input if it has a built-in preamp (it outputs a LINE signal). If the turntable does not have a built-in preamp, it can only be connected to a CD input via an external preamp.

Can I connect a turntable to AUX or LINE?

A turntable can be connected to an AUX or LINE input if it has a built-in preamp (it outputs a LINE signal). If the turntable does not have a built-in preamp, it can only be connected to an AUX or LINE input via an external preamp.

Can I connect my turntable directly to the speakers?

A turntable with a built-in preamp can be connected directly to powered speakers. However, a turntable cannot be connected to passive speakers.

Can I connect my turntable for surround sound?

A turntable outputs a stereo music signal and does not support surround sound. However, you can connect a turntable to the surround sound system and enjoy 2-channel stereo sound. To do this, your surround sound system must have an analogue LINE input and you must use a turntable with a built-in preamp or a preamp without a built-in preamp and a separate preamp.