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How To Connect A Record Player To Speakers Without Using A Receiver

Not all of us love bulky setups; some of us prefer direct connections – connecting our speakers directly to the playback device without introducing a receiver or amp in-between the connection.

How To Connect a Record Player to Speakers Without Using a Receiver? Get a set of passive speakers and a turntable with a built-in amp.

Actually, receivers and amps are introduced to help improve the sound quality, but most speakers are already built to deliver the best sound you need to hear without further tweaking.

If you don’t want a bulky setup and wish to connect your record player directly to your speaker, this article clearly explains how you can do that.

But before that, let’s discuss the need for receivers; do they actually play an important role in home audio setups?

Functions of Audio Receivers

An Audio/Video Receiver (AVR) is an audio device that receives audio and video signals from multiple sources and then sends the signals to the connected speakers.

Apparently, AVRs come with control knobs and buttons that help you to tweak and control the sound that is being transmitted to your speakers from different sources.

Receiver

A receiver also amplifies the signals it receives from the source, increasing the signals to be able to drive the connected speakers.

No doubt, receivers play an important role in home audio setup, especially if you plan to transmit sound/video from various sources, which may include your TV, recorder player, DVD, console, etc.

But, you can do without a receiver; if you’re just looking to connect one device to your speakers, there’s definitely no need for a receiver.

How To Connect A Record Player To Speakers Without Using A Receiver

The most important to consider here is the type of connection supported by your record player. In other words, how does your record player connect with other audio/video players?

Does the record player support RCA, 3.5mm jack, or another type of connector. Once you have this figured out, you’ve most definitely solved up to 50% of the issue; thus, making the remaining processes a non-issue.

How To Connect A Record Player To Speakers Without Using A Receiver

Well, there is a big problem here; the type of speaker(s) you have may also be a hindrance to this setup. Wondering how that could happen?

Yeah, a turntable, or record player as many may call it, typically does not support a connector where you can fix in speaker wires.

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So, if your speakers are such that only use “Speaker wires” to connect to a source, you need a new set of speakers.

That said, just as you’re figuring out the type of connectors is available on your record player, you also need to check the type of connectors on your speaker(s) too.

Again, if you got that figured out, you’ve solved 40% of the remaining 50% of the setup process.

The last 10% is for the final connection to get your speaker connected to the record player directly without introducing a bulky amplifier or receiver.

Now, let’s get over to the main thing.

What You Need To Connect a Record Player Without a Receiver

  1. The record player/turntable
  2. A set of powered or active speakers
  3. An RCA cable

With these three things in place, you’re ready to make your connection.

Powered or active speaker(s) is required because they allow you to connect RCA cables into their binding posts, and most turntables support RCA input too.

However, an amplifier is really needed for this connection because turntables do not produce high signals on basically.

Well, most record players come with built-in preamps, and powered/active speakers come with built-in amps too. So, you probably do not need an external amp.

But if your turntable does not feature a built-in amp, you really should get an amplifier for this connection to work.

The Steps:

  • Place your speaker strategically around the room or environment
  • Get your RCA cable and connect it into the respective ports on your active or powered speakers and the turntable (record player).
  • Start playing a cartridge on the record player, and it’d be sounding from your connected speaker(s).

The setup is pretty simple and easy if you’ve got the right devices, which are: a turntable with a pre-amp built-in, a set of powered or active speakers, and then a good RCA cable.

You cannot use passive speakers for this connection because they do not support RCA connections. 

Things To Note:

  • When you connect your record player, or any audio source, directly to your speakers, you’d not be able to properly adjust the sound you hear. While some speakers might come with a few control options, most speakers do not come with such. One of the main functions of external amplifiers and receivers is to help you to adjust and/or fine-tune the sound you listen to.
  • Connecting speakers directly to record players won’t give you the best sound you wish to hear.
  • You must need a record player with a built-in amp, and a set of speakers with a built-in amp too. If there’s no amp in your speakers or turntable, the connection won’t work, and you may end up blowing up your devices if you force things.

Best Vinyl Record Turntable To Buy

What More?

Interestingly, there are affordable active and powered speakers out there in the market, and you can find premium record players sold at an affordable price too.

The main reason why many people do not want to introduce receivers in their setup is to achieve a minimalist setup – especially in small rooms.

But truthfully, it is important to use receivers and external amplifiers because they help you to achieve impressive sound – mainly for audiophiles that love premium audio.

Receivers can be very expensive though, so it’s understandable if you don’t want to get any.

Hopefully, this article answered your question, “How To Connect a Record Player to Speakers Without Using a Receiver.” Do have a great day.

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