Connect the power amplifier - how it works
A power amplifier is an amplifier to which you can connect multiple audio devices. We help you to set up your audio system and give you tips for connecting devices and speakers.
Connect devices to the power amplifier
If you only connect one audio device to your power amplifier, the connection is easy. You connect the output of the audio device to an input of the power amplifier and select this input as the source. There are a few things to consider when connecting multiple devices:
- Most power amplifiers have multiple inputs. Often these are labeled "Tuner", "Tape", "Aux", "CD" or "DVD".
- Nevertheless, you can connect the output from almost any device to any input. From CD players to DVD and BluRay players and your TV set to electric pianos.
- Make a note of which device you have connected to which input or write it on a strip of masking tape that you attach to the front of the amplifier.
- If a channel is called "phono", it is intended for record players and is probably not suitable for other devices. This is because phono signals from the record player have very low voltages and therefore have to be amplified more and more filigree to sound clean.
- If you want to listen to any device quickly and easily via your speakers, connect a Y-cable with a jack to one of your cinch inputs. You can insert the jack end into most smartphones, laptops and MP3 players.
- You can find more tips in the picture gallery.
Connect the loudspeaker correctly to the power amplifier
Depending on how your power amplifier and speakers are equipped, there are different ways to wire both.
- Depending on the power amplifier, you can connect your speakers to the power amplifier using a speaker cable with a clamp, XLR, jack or cinch.
- We'll also show you how to solder RCA to a classic speaker cable.
- Keep your speaker cables as short as possible. If your speakers give this to you, you should use symmetrical cables (TRS) for long cable runs.
- In another practical tip, we will explain what needs to be considered with loudspeaker cables.
- Read the output impedance of your power amplifier on the power amplifier or in the user manual. Connect 8-ohm speakers to 8-ohm outputs and 4-ohm speakers to 4-ohm outputs.
- If necessary, you can also connect higher-impedance speakers to low-impedance amplifiers. However, avoid connecting loudspeakers with low impedance to high-impedance amplifiers. The devices can be damaged here.
Practical tips for speaker installation
Set up stereo speakers as shown in the illustration. Your listening position should form an equilateral triangle with the spekers. We offer you numerous practical tips that will help you to correctly set up surround systems and immersive audio and optimize the sound:
- In a detailed practical tip with numerous pictures, we will show you how to set up surround speakers correctly, from quadrophony to Dolby Surround and Dolby Digital, up to 7.1, such as SDDS.
- If you have an immersive audio system, such as Dolby Atmos or Auro-3D, we also support you in setting up the speaker.
- Learn how to optimally place a dipole speaker in the room here.
- Finally, adjust your subwoofer and equalizer optimally.
If you are not only audio-savvy but also video-savvy, this practical tip will help you select the perfect projector.
Latest videos
If your power amplifier does not have enough inputs for all its peripheral devices, connect a few devices to a mixer, the output signal of which you then couple into an input of the power amplifier.
Keep cable runs as short as possible and use correspondingly short cables. This will avoid cable clutter and minimize noise and hum.
Digital inputs are often referred to as "Digital", "Coaxial", "Optical", "S / PDIF" or "Toslink". You should always use these as they transmit the audio signal without loss. Caution: Although the coaxial (Coaxial / Toslink) connector looks like RCA, you cannot connect an analog RCA output signal here.