How to Connect Turntable to Speakers

Choose the right signal path

We'd check the speaker type and output level first, because those two details decide whether you need an amplifier, a phono stage, or both. Follow the signal from the turntable through any required phono stage and power amplifier, then into the speakers.

Powered speakers contain their own power amplifier and have a power connection. Passive speakers have no built-in amplifier or power source, so they need a stereo amplifier and connect to it with speaker wire.

Put the phono stage in one place

A turntable cartridge produces a low-level signal that must be amplified and equalized before it reaches the system's main amplifier. The phono stage that does this can be inside the turntable, a receiver, powered speakers, or a separate box.

If your turntable has a PHONO/LINE switch, LINE turns on its internal RIAA preamp and PHONO bypasses that stage. Audio-Technica says most of its turntables have this switch, while the AT-LP140XP outputs only at PHONO level.

Check whether the cartridge and phono stage are compatible. Moving-coil cartridges produce a much weaker signal than moving-magnet cartridges, and phono stages built into receivers and stereo preamps are often limited to moving-magnet cartridges.

Connect powered speakers

A built-in power amplifier doesn't automatically mean a powered speaker also has a phono stage. Some powered speakers include both, while others amplify only a line-level signal.

1. If the turntable has an active built-in preamp, connect its RCA output directly to a line-level input on the powered speakers. The speakers' internal power amplifier completes the signal path.
2. If the turntable outputs at PHONO level, connect it to a compatible external phono preamp. Connect the preamp's line-level output to the powered speakers.
3. If the turntable has a switchable internal phono stage and you choose an external preamp, bypass the internal stage before making the PHONO-to-preamp connection.

Audio-Technica turntables use either a 3.5 mm output or dual phono connectors, and the company supplies a relevant cable with each turntable. Match that cable to the speaker input, adding a suitable adapter when the connectors differ.

When the connection is correct, the record signal passes through one phono stage and then the powered speakers' amplifier. Very low volume with too much treble and too little bass points to a missing phono stage in this path.

Connect an amplifier and passive speakers

Passive speakers need a separate amplifier or receiver. The phono stage may be inside the turntable, inside that amplifier or receiver, or in a separate component between them.

1. For a turntable producing LINE output, connect its RCA cable to Aux, CD, Tape or another line-level input on the amplifier. The selected input now receives a preamplified signal.
2. For a turntable producing PHONO output, connect it to the amplifier's dedicated PHONO input. If the amplifier has no compatible PHONO input, connect the turntable to a separate phono preamp, then connect that preamp to a line-level amplifier input.
3. Connect the amplifier to the passive speakers with speaker wire. Playing a record should now send the signal through the phono stage, amplifier and speakers.

A separate-component route can therefore be turntable to phono preamp by RCA, phono preamp to amplifier by RCA, and amplifier to speakers. An amplifier with a suitable integrated PHONO input takes the place of the separate preamp.

If the result is very quiet even with the amplifier turned high, a PHONO-level output is reaching a line-level input. Route it through a compatible phono stage or move it to the dedicated PHONO input.

Handle grounding as part of the setup

Grounding depends on the equipment and connection path. Some turntables require a ground connection between the turntable and phono preamp or amplifier to prevent mains hum, while Audio-Technica says grounding may be unnecessary on many of its externally powered turntables.

For Fluance's separate-preamp arrangement, the prescribed path includes a ground wire from the turntable to the preamp and another from the preamp to the powered speakers. That arrangement is for a turntable without an internal preamp, or one whose internal phono stage can be bypassed.

Treat your equipment's grounding terminals as part of its specified setup. Connect the required ground alongside the RCA path when your turntable, phono stage, amplifier or powered speakers call for it.

Keep speaker vibration away from the stylus

Keep the turntable isolated from speaker vibration. A stylus responds to outside vibration as well as the record groove, and vibration from nearby speakers can produce hum or howling when the volume is high enough.

Fluance recommends placing the turntable some distance from the speakers or behind them. Avoid putting the turntable and speakers on the same shelf or console, because that shared surface makes it more likely that speaker vibration will reach the stylus and harm sound performance.

Floorstanding speakers or stands for bookshelf speakers separate the speakers from the turntable's support. No fixed clearance is needed for this guidance, so use separate surfaces and preserve as much isolation as your room allows.

Read the result before changing the cables

Play a record through the input you connected. A usable result is sound passing through one phono stage, then through the power amplifier in the powered speakers or separate amplifier, and finally through the speakers.

• Very quiet sound with too much treble and too little bass means the signal still needs phono amplification and equalization.
• Very quiet sound from a PHONO-level turntable connected to Aux, CD or Tape means you need a dedicated PHONO input or an external compatible phono preamp.
• Distorted sound from LINE output connected to PHONO means you must stop playback and move the cable to a line-level input to avoid possible equipment damage.
• Hum or howling can come from a required ground connection being absent or from speaker vibration reaching the stylus. Complete the specified ground connection and keep the turntable off the speakers' supporting surface.

If you need to add a phono stage, confirm whether the cartridge is moving magnet or moving coil before choosing one. The stage must accept that cartridge type and deliver line-level output to the next component in the chain.