How to connect a turntable to a Bluetooth speaker
If your turntable has a built-in preamp (a PHONO/LINE switch), add a Bluetooth transmitter to its RCA output and pair it with the speaker. Without a preamp, put a phono preamp in front of the transmitter.
Yes. You need a converter.
What you need
- RCA stereo audio cable Look for: Red/white RCA male to male
- Bluetooth transmitter Look for: Bluetooth transmitter with RCA or 3.5 mm input
Connect it like this
- Turntable (record player)RCA stereo audio out
- RCA stereo audio cable
- Bluetooth transmitterRCA stereo audio in, Bluetooth out. Needs power.
- Bluetooth pairing
- Bluetooth speakerBluetooth
What to know
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost
- About $25–$50 if you buy everything new
- Sound
- Good. Bluetooth compresses the audio a little
- Lag
- Some. Noticeable in fast games or lip-sync
- Extra power
- Yes, the converter needs USB or wall power
Why this works
RCA stereo audio is analog and Bluetooth is digital. A plain cable can’t bridge that. A powered Bluetooth transmitter translates the signal.
Before you buy
- Direction matters. You need RCA stereo audio in and Bluetooth out. The Bluetooth receiver looks almost identical but works the other way. Check that the box says “Bluetooth transmitter with RCA or 3.5 mm input”.
- Pair it with the speaker like a phone. Adds a small delay.
Good to know
- A PHONO/LINE switch on the back means the preamp is built in. Set it to LINE to plug into normal inputs.
Your gear a little different? Answer a couple of questions about your own ports.
Check my exact setup