RCA stereo audio

Carries

Sound only

Signal

Analog

Where you’ll find it

Stereos, receivers, powered speakers, turntables with a built-in preamp.

Common confusion

A turntable’s PHONO output uses the same plugs but is much quieter. See Phono.

Going from RCA stereo audio to something else

• 3.5 mm headphone / aux: RCA to 3.5 mm cable (no power needed).
• XLR: RCA to XLR cables (no power needed). Works for home use. You may need to turn the speaker volume up a little.
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth transmitter (needs power). Pair it with the speaker like a phone. Adds a small delay.
• Speaker terminals: Stereo amplifier (needs power). Passive speakers need an amplifier to make sound.

Getting something else into RCA stereo audio

• Optical audio (TOSLINK): Digital to analog audio converter (DAC) (needs power). Set the TV’s digital audio output to PCM or Stereo, or the DAC may stay silent.
• Coaxial digital audio: Digital to analog audio converter (DAC) (needs power).
• HDMI ARC / eARC: HDMI ARC audio extractor (needs power).
• 3.5 mm headphone / aux: 3.5 mm to RCA cable (no power needed).
• Phono (turntable): Phono preamp (needs power). Connect the turntable’s thin ground wire to the preamp’s GND screw to stop hum.
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth receiver (needs power).
• Speaker terminals: Line output converter.