Connecting a turntable to a soundbar isn’t always as simple as plugging in a cable. Most soundbars are designed primarily for TV audio, and many don’t include the analog inputs needed for a direct turntable connection.
The good news is that you have several options. Depending on your soundbar’s connections and your turntable’s features, you may be able to use an RCA cable, an optical audio converter, or Bluetooth.
Before buying any adapters, check the connections on both devices. The right solution depends on what they support.
Check Your Soundbar’s Inputs First
Start by looking at the back or side of your soundbar. Check the labels next to its available connections.
Here are the most common options:
| Input | What it means |
|---|---|
| RCA (red and white) | Analog stereo audio input |
| AUX (3.5mm) | Analog stereo input, usually a headphone-style jack |
| Optical / TOSLINK | Digital audio input |
| HDMI ARC / eARC | Connection primarily used to receive audio from a TV |
| Bluetooth | Wireless audio reception |
Not every soundbar has all these connections. Some models only offer HDMI ARC, optical, and Bluetooth, while others include an analog AUX or RCA input.
Also check whether a port is actually an input. A connection labeled AUX OUT or HDMI OUT does not accept audio from your turntable.
Option 1: Connect Through RCA or AUX
If your soundbar has an RCA or AUX audio input, you can usually connect your turntable directly, provided the turntable supplies a line-level signal.
A turntable cartridge produces a very low-level signal that needs amplification and RIAA equalization from a phono preamp. Some turntables include this circuitry; others require an external unit.
What you need
- A turntable with a built-in phono preamp or a separate phono preamp
- An RCA stereo cable
- An RCA-to-3.5mm adapter or cable if your soundbar has AUX instead of RCA
Connection steps
- Check whether your turntable has a built-in phono preamp.
- If it has a PHONO/LINE switch, set it to LINE.
- Connect the turntable’s red and white RCA outputs to the soundbar’s RCA input.
- If your soundbar has a 3.5mm AUX input, use a suitable stereo RCA-to-3.5mm cable instead.
- Select AUX or the corresponding analog input on your soundbar.
- Start a record and gradually adjust the volume.
Signal chain:
Turntable with built-in preamp → RCA or RCA-to-3.5mm cable → Soundbar
If your turntable does not have a built-in preamp, add an external one between the turntable and soundbar:
Turntable → Phono preamp → Soundbar
Make sure you use only one phono preamp in the signal chain. If the turntable’s built-in preamp is enabled, you generally don’t need another one.
For more information, see our guide to what a phono preamp does.
Option 2: Connect Through an Optical Input
If your soundbar has an optical input but no RCA or AUX input, you can still connect a turntable using an analog-to-digital audio converter.
An optical connection carries digital audio, while a turntable produces an analog signal. The converter bridges that difference.
What you need
- A turntable with a built-in phono preamp or an external phono preamp
- An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with optical output
- An RCA stereo cable
- An optical TOSLINK cable
Make sure you buy an analog-to-digital converter with optical output. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) does the opposite and will not work for this connection.
Connection steps
- Connect the turntable’s RCA outputs to the phono preamp, if required.
- Make sure the signal coming from the preamp is line level.
- Connect the preamp’s RCA output to the converter’s analog input.
- Connect the converter’s optical output to the soundbar’s optical input.
- Select Optical on the soundbar.
- Start playback and adjust the volume.
Signal chain:
Turntable → Phono preamp → Analog-to-digital converter → Optical cable → Soundbar
Important converter settings
Before purchasing a converter, check that it supports stereo analog input and optical digital output.
Some converters also have selectable sample rates or output formats. If your soundbar does not recognize the signal, check whether the converter can output standard two-channel PCM audio.
This method requires extra equipment and cables, so it is worth checking whether Bluetooth or an analog input would be simpler for your setup.
Option 3: Connect Using Bluetooth
If your soundbar supports Bluetooth audio reception, you may be able to connect your turntable wirelessly.
There are two ways to do this:
- Use a turntable with built-in Bluetooth transmission.
- Add a separate Bluetooth transmitter to a turntable with analog output.
Using a Bluetooth turntable
Some modern turntables include Bluetooth output. If yours does, you can pair it directly with a compatible soundbar.
- Turn on Bluetooth pairing mode on your soundbar.
- Enable Bluetooth transmission on your turntable.
- Follow the pairing instructions for both devices.
- Once connected, play a record and adjust the volume.
Signal chain:
Bluetooth turntable → Bluetooth connection → Soundbar
You can explore compatible models in our guide to the best Bluetooth turntables.
Using a Bluetooth transmitter
If your turntable doesn’t have Bluetooth, a separate transmitter can provide wireless connectivity.
You will need:
- A turntable with line-level output, or an external phono preamp
- A Bluetooth audio transmitter with an appropriate analog input
- A soundbar that supports Bluetooth audio reception
Connect the turntable’s line-level output to the transmitter, then pair the transmitter with your soundbar.
Signal chain:
Turntable → Phono preamp (if required) → Bluetooth transmitter → Soundbar
Check the transmitter’s input connections before buying. Some use RCA, while others use a 3.5mm AUX connection.
Bluetooth limitations
Bluetooth is convenient, but it isn’t necessarily the best option for every setup.
Audio quality depends on the Bluetooth codecs supported by both devices. The connection may also introduce a small delay, although this is generally less important when listening to music than when watching video.
If your soundbar and turntable cannot establish a compatible Bluetooth connection, consider a wired option instead.
Option 4: Use Your TV as an Audio Connection
Some people assume they can connect a turntable to their soundbar through HDMI ARC by using the TV as an intermediary. This can work in certain equipment configurations, but HDMI ARC itself is not a general-purpose analog audio input.
HDMI ARC is designed to send audio from a compatible TV to a soundbar or receiver. It does not normally accept a turntable’s RCA output directly.
When this method can work
If your TV has a genuine analog audio input and supports routing that input to its HDMI ARC output, you may be able to use it.
The connection would look like this:
Turntable → Phono preamp → TV analog audio input → HDMI ARC → Soundbar
However, many modern TVs have analog audio outputs rather than inputs, so check the TV manual carefully. An RCA output or headphone output cannot be used as an input.
If your TV does not support this routing, use one of the direct connection methods described above.
What If Your Soundbar Only Has HDMI ARC?
If your soundbar has HDMI ARC but no analog, optical, or Bluetooth input, connecting a turntable directly is difficult.
The HDMI ARC connection is intended to receive audio from a TV, not to function as a standard HDMI audio input for external devices.
Your practical options are:
- Check for Bluetooth: If the soundbar supports Bluetooth audio reception, use a Bluetooth turntable or a separate transmitter.
- Check your TV’s inputs: If the TV has a suitable analog audio input and can route it through ARC, you may be able to use the TV as an intermediary.
- Consider different speakers: Powered speakers with RCA or AUX inputs are often a much simpler solution for a turntable.
Avoid buying random HDMI adapters without checking their direction and compatibility. An ordinary HDMI ARC cable or adapter will not automatically convert an analog turntable signal into audio your soundbar can receive.
Troubleshooting: Why Is There No Sound?
If you’ve connected everything but cannot hear your record, check these common problems before replacing any equipment.
The soundbar is on the wrong input
Many soundbars don’t automatically switch to AUX or Optical when they detect a new audio source.
Use the remote or soundbar controls to select the correct input manually.
The turntable’s phono preamp is switched off
If your turntable has a built-in preamp with a PHONO/LINE switch, make sure it is set to LINE when connecting to AUX, RCA, or an analog-to-digital converter.
If your turntable doesn’t have a built-in preamp, you need an external phono preamp before the signal reaches a line-level input.
The signal is connected to the wrong type of port
Check that you are using an actual audio input rather than an output.
This is particularly important with HDMI, RCA, and 3.5mm connections, where similar-looking ports can serve different purposes.
The optical converter is incompatible
If you are using an analog-to-digital converter, check its input and output directions. It must accept analog RCA audio and produce an optical digital signal.
Also check its power supply and output format.
Bluetooth pairing is unsuccessful
Make sure the soundbar is in Bluetooth pairing mode and that the transmitter or turntable supports a compatible connection.
If another device is already connected, disconnect it and try pairing again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you connect a turntable to any soundbar?
Not necessarily. The soundbar needs a compatible audio input, such as RCA, AUX, optical, or Bluetooth. If it only has HDMI ARC and no other suitable input, connecting a turntable can be difficult or impractical.
Do I need a phono preamp to connect a turntable to a soundbar?
You need a phono preamp unless your turntable already has one built in and enabled, or another compatible device in the signal chain provides the required phono amplification and equalization.
Most soundbars do not have a dedicated PHONO input.
Can I connect a turntable to a soundbar using an RCA cable?
Yes, if the soundbar has an RCA audio input and the turntable provides a line-level signal. If the soundbar has only a 3.5mm AUX input, you can use a compatible stereo RCA-to-3.5mm cable.
Can I connect a turntable to a soundbar through Bluetooth?
Yes, if the soundbar supports Bluetooth audio reception. You can use a turntable with built-in Bluetooth transmission or add a compatible Bluetooth transmitter to a turntable with analog output.
Remember that the turntable may still need a phono preamp before the transmitter.
Can I connect a turntable to a soundbar using HDMI ARC?
Not directly in the usual setup. HDMI ARC is designed to carry audio from a TV to a soundbar. It is not a standard analog audio input for a turntable.
A TV may provide an alternative connection if it has a genuine audio input and supports routing that signal through ARC, but this depends on the specific TV.
Is a soundbar good for listening to vinyl?
A soundbar can be a convenient way to listen to records, especially if you already own one and want to avoid buying additional speakers.
However, soundbars vary considerably in their stereo presentation, connectivity, and sound characteristics. If building a dedicated vinyl listening system is your priority, consider comparing them with traditional powered bookshelf speakers.
See our guide to the best turntable speakers for more options.