How to Connect a Vinyl Record Player to a Modern Audio System

Vinyl records have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Vinyls are a collector’s item that brings joy both visually and audibly. Many people curate an excellent vinyl collection as it is a tangible way to collect music. Due to the digital movement with music, many long for the nostalgia of the past. However, you should be able to have both options whenever you want. Whether you like digital or tangible music more, you should not have to choose between the two. Below, you will find how to connect a vinyl record player to a modern audio system. 

How to Connect a Vinyl Record Player to a Modern Audio System

Many people want to blend the classic analog nature of vinyl with the modern digital musical experience. Connecting a vinyl record player to a modern audio system is seamless. You just need to have the right equipment to complete the task. You will need your turntable, modern audio system, phono preamp, and audio converters.

The turntable and modern audio system are self-explanatory as you will be connecting the two. A turntable is a device that plays your vinyl records. A modern audio system could be in the form of a receiver, amplifier, or speaker. A phono preamp is necessary as it transforms the signals between the two machines. It amplifies the low-level signal from the turntable to a line-level signal, which is necessary for modern audio systems. An audio converter is needed if your modern audio system does not have analog inputs.

Steps to Connect Your Devices

Once you have all of the necessary equipment, you can easily get started connecting your vinyl record player to your modern audio system. Follow the steps below to connect your music devices.

Assess Your Preamp

Sometimes, the preamp is built into your turntable, but this is not always the case. If your turntable has a built-in preamp, it will have a “line” output. You can connect the line output directly to your audio system’s analog input using RCA cables. 

If your turntable does not have a built-in preamp, you will need to get an external one. This can be done by connecting your turntable to the external preamp with RCA cables and then connecting the preamp to your audio system. Be sure to use high-quality calves, as they can make a huge difference when it comes to your sound quality.

Assess Audio Inputs

In some cases, you may need an audio converter from an AV tech manufacturer. This is the case if your modern audio system does not have analog inputs. After you have connected the preamp, connect the line-level output to the audio converter. This will change the analog signal to digital, specifically optical or coaxial. 

Connecting The Systems

The way you connect the audio system depends on whether you have an analog or digital connection. If your system has analog inputs, connect the turntable using the RCA cables. If your system only has digital cables, use the digital cable from the audio converter to connect it to the audio system. 

After this, connect the grounding wire to the grounding terminal to prevent a humming sound when you play music. Place your turntable on a flat and stable surface. This will reduce any vibration that can impact the sound quality. On your audio system, select the input that corresponds with the turntable. From there, you can listen to your music with ease.

AV Tech Manufacturer

If you need any support connecting your devices, contact the team at Kanex Pro for help!