How To Connect An Amplifier To A Receiver With No Preouts / RCA Jacks

Despite what you may have read elsewhere, it is NOT impossible to connect an amplifier to a receiver with no pre-outs or auxiliary RCA jacks.

I’ll show you what you need to know with my clear & detailed diagrams, examples, and lots of helpful info.

Read on to learn more!

Some receiver, cable, and audio signal basics first

In this article, I’ll cover the following home stereo receiver challenges:

  • No RCA (phono preamp) jacks
  • Receivers with only digital audio or HDMI output jacks available

Here we’ll cover a few things first as I’ve noticed some information out there is not quite correct. I’d like to make sure you’re getting the best information.

Common cable types

examples of TV audio cables

The cables you need will depend on your receiver’s available outputs. There’s no standard set of audio output jacks for receivers so it could be none or several of the ones I mentioned above.

Here’s a description of the types of connections we may be dealing with:

  • RCA jacks: These are also called pre amp output jacks or line level jacks. They’re analog signal outputs because the audio is non-digital and can be amplified directly by an external amplifier.
  • Optical digital output: Also called a TOSLINK jack, this is a digital audio output that must be converted back to an analog signal at some point to use with a power amp. You can plug in an optical cable to connect to receivers with this type of input. Signals are carried using pulses of light instead of electrical bits.
  • Coaxial digital output: this uses one RCA-style jack that connects with an RCA cable to carry the digital audio using electrical bits. Note that you cannot connect it to the phono input jacks on a stereo amplifier – it will need to be converted back to an analog signal.
  • HDMI output: This is a format using a multi-pin cable to carry both digitally encoded video and audio data. HDMI connections on a home theater receiver usually require you to connect the input to a TV or cable box’s HDMI output. The receiver then may offer an output to be used with other devices.

HDMI cable end close up annotated with notes

The audio connections listed here are pretty typical and always depend on the particular model. Some compact home theater receivers have an integrated amplifier and also decode surround sound formats, providing outputs for multiple speakers but without RCA jack outputs.

Digital audio outputs explained

Digital audio optical and coaxial output examples

Digital outputs like I mentioned above carry sound in a digital format made up of bits of information. A standard home stereo amplifier can’t convert a digital input (unless it’s a built-in feature) so you’ll need a digital to analog (RCA) converter box to do the job and provide output jacks you can connect your amp to.

**Note: An integrated amp with a digital audio input can be connected to directly in some cases although those aren’t too common.

I don’t cover preamp output or aux output use (here’s why)

I’ve noticed some other articles on the internet about this subject mention using other types of jacks on an old receiver or receiver with no pre-outs. How does that make any sense at all?

If you’re here it’s probably because you already DON’T have anything like that you can use or one of these other problems:

  • They only work on certain modes of the receiver’s audio settings (like TAPE, EQ, etc.) and not for the FM tuner or other functions.
  • They have a terribly weak signal output (like on some vintage receivers) you can’t get enough volume with.
  • Other problems not mentioned above.

In some cases you may even have a receiver with a subwoofer output jack. However, a subwoofer output (LFE jack) is useless if you’re wanting full-range sound from your external amp as it provides only bass frequencies.

DIAGRAM & EXAMPLES – Connecting an amplifier to a receiver with no pre-outs

how to connect amplifier to receiver with no preouts diagram

1. Connecting an amp to a receiver with only speaker outputs

Image showing examples of line level RCA converters

For receivers with no other options available, using a speaker level adapter (also called a “hi-lo converter” or “line level converter”) offers a great way to connect your receiver to a power amplifier. A line level converter is connected just like speakers using wire provided by its speaker level inputs, then scaled down to a very low signal level output (line level).

To use one, you’ll just connect it one of two ways.

  • Alongside existing speakers already in use (in parallel with the stereo speakers you’re already using).
  • To unused speaker output terminals.

Simply wire it following the speaker wire polarity provided and you’re ready to go!

The receiver’s amplified speaker signal outputs will be divided down to a low level (phono / RCA) signal output your amplifier can use safely. They’re fairly inexpensive, costing only about $15-$25 for a good quality one. Some also include adjustable output volume control features to help you match your amplifier’s input level needed for the best sound level without distortion.

I strongly advise against buying the cheapest you find as not all are equal. For the best stereo sound, you’ll want one that’s well designed. Further below I’ll explain more about how they work, their sound quality, and the speaker Ohms the receiver will see.

2. Connecting an amp to a receiver with digital outputs

Digital to analog audio converter box example labeled

Digital to analog converters process digital audio and convert it to a standard stereo outputs. They provide RCA jack outputs or a 3.5mm (1/8″ headphone) jack in some cases.

A digital audio jack offers very good sound quality if you have the option. They’re not often used, however, because the output isn’t directly compatible with RCA inputs on a stereo amp. You’ll need to pick up a digital to RCA converter. These cost about $18-$25 and most include a small AC-DC power supply.

Most also include the cables you’ll need to connect to your AV receiver’s digital jack so you’ll simply use whichever option you have: the optical (TOSLINK, fiber optic) jack or the coaxial digital jack.

Do be aware that fiber optic cables can be damaged if bent too much so you’ll need to be careful to avoid kinking them or crushing them in tight spaces. Doing so can permanently damage the optical cable material, causing them to fail or have problems carrying the sound signal.

NOTE: If you have both options the coaxial digital cable is fine to use. However, an optical connection can eliminate ground loop noise (electrical humming) being carried.

I typically use a TOSLINK connection when I have the choice of both to avoid the potential headache of dealing with ground loop noise.

3. Using an amp with a receiver with an HDMI output

Illustrated example of an HDMI audio extractor

As I mentioned earlier, HDMI is a format that carries both video and audio. You may be thinking, “How’s that going to connect to my amp?

The great news is that an HDMI audio extractor can be used to access the digital sound source from an HDMI output port and convert it to an audio signal pair we can use.

To do so, you’ll connect an HDMI cable to the extractor’s input port and the other end to the receiver’s HDMI output port. The audio extractor device will extract the digital audio stream and convert it to analog outputs you can connect directly to your power amp or AV amp.

A good audio extractor is about only $25-$50. Note that the HDMI cable is often separate but those cost just a few dollars.

NOTE: The HDMI output jack on a receiver will have to have a source (HDMI input), as mentioned in my diagram above, for this to work. This could be a TV, cable box, or other device.

How does a speaker level converter work? Are they ok to use?

line level converter speaker ohms diagram

As I mentioned earlier, a line level adapter (speaker level converter) is a type of signal adapter that connects to speaker terminals and scales the signal voltage to a level safe for amplifier inputs. They provide a way to use RCA cable connections where only speaker wire outputs are available.

How does a speaker level adapter work?

Let’s take an example: In the case of an AV receiver with 8 ohm speaker outputs and 50W of power, that means the voltage output at maximum power is about:

square_root(50×8) =  20 volts. 

However, a stereo amp can only accept an input signal of about 0.5 to 2V in many cases – trying to use a much higher voltage with line level inputs will not only cause distortion but also burn out the input components of an amplifier.

To avoid this, a line level converter divides down the speaker voltage input by a factor of about 1/10 or so (less in some cases) and directs it to the output jacks. Some models also add additional circuitry to support the best audio quality possible or isolate the inputs from the outputs electrically.

Will a line level adapter hurt my receiver? Will the total Ohms be ok?

Generally speaking there’s no harm in connecting a speaker level adapter to your speaker output terminals. The receiver’s speaker outputs will still see a safe speaker impedance (Ohms) load.

That’s because these types of adapters often have a very high input impedance (input resistance) and don’t draw any real power from the speaker outputs or pull down the total speaker Ohms load. Their input impedance ranges from values from about 40 Ohms to 80 Ohms and even 1,000 Ohms (1KΩ) although some can be much lower.

For most, the total Ohms load your receiver sees won’t change as far as it’s concerned – it’s as if nothing was connected. That’s because a very high impedance connected in parallel with a low one has a total Ohms load that’s close to the speaker Ohms in use.

Example: In the case of using 4 ohm or 8 ohm speakers with a line level converter with an impedance of about 60 Ohms, what is the total speaker Ohms load seen?

We can use our formula for parallel resistance to find this:

Rtotal (4Ω) = 1/(1/4 + 1/60) = 1/(0.25 + .0167) = 3.75Ω

Rtotal (8Ω) = 1/(1/4 + 1/60) = 1/(0.125 + .0167) =

These values are close enough to the 4Ω or 8Ω min. ratings so they should be ok, although 80Ω or higher would be ideal.

You can also use one of the methods above to connect a subwoofer to a receiver without a sub output.

NOTE! Be aware that a few models have as low as 16 Ohm input resistance, making it a bit low when used alongside some speakers. Whenever possible, try to avoid those or you can add another resistor in series with each input (say 20Ω for example) just to be safe.

Notes on sound quality

The sound quality when using a speaker level adapter is generally good but not as “clean” as what you’d get from RCA jacks or when using a digital signal and a converter. It depends also on the quality of the AV receiver’s outputs. Anytime a signal is converted twice there’s always a bit of degradation that happens.

Speaker to line level converters use small transformers which have a little bit of signal loss, typically at both the upper and lower frequency ranges. However, even budget models are generally pretty good.

Most people can’t hear any difference and you’ll be hard-pressed to be unhappy with one unless you have extremely good hearing or audiophile-type expectations.

Can I get surround sound from a receiver with no pre-outs?

surround sound from receiver with no pre-outs diagram

Typically the answer is no. However, in certain cases there are three ways to get surround sound from an audio receiver with no pre-outs for using multiple speakers:

  1. Integrated receivers with surround sound speaker outputs: For receivers of this type the surround sound decoder and integrated amplifier are both built in – you’ll need to use line level converters with the speaker outputs.
  2. Receivers with a digital audio output: You can connect the digital audio jack to a surround sound decoder to provide RCA jacks for front left & right, center, rear left/right, and subwoofer channels an amp can use. You can then drive your surround sound speakers with the correct audio channels needed.
  3. Receivers with an HDMI output: You can use an HDMI audio extractor with a built-in surround sound decoder OR an HDMI extractor and then a decoder connected to its digital audio output.

Examples of digital audio converters with surround sound decoder

Unfortunately, if your AV receiver doesn’t meet any of the 3 cases listed above there’s no other way to do so. That’s because surround sound requires a 5.1 channel signal at the minimum for a Dolby Digital or DTS audio stream to be carried. These can only be transmitted over a digital audio connection (TOSLINK optical, coaxial digital output, or HDMI digital audio for 5.1 or 7.1 like Dolby Atmos).

Receivers with a 2-channel RCA output can transmit a signal capable of being decoded for Dolby Pro Logic II as it requires only left & right signals. However, if your home stereo receiver doesn’t have those you’re out of luck.

Marty

About the author

Marty is an experienced electrical, electronics, and embedded firmware design engineer passionate about audio and DIY. He worked professionally as an MECP-certified mobile installer for years before moving into the engineering field. Read more »

Your comments are welcome.
  1. The info here has been helpful and maybe I’m over complicating my needs. I am simply trying to connect a Bluetooth transmitter to the speaker outputs of a vintage (1970s) car 8 track player that has no other outputs (headphones or aux). The player would normally be wired to 3.2ohm speakers, but I want to delete the wired speakers. From the info here, I see that I could use a speaker level to line level converter for each channel and connect the BT transmitter to the output of the converter, but if I remove the speakers, would the lack of load on the speaker outputs damage the player? Thanks for any advice you can offer!

    Reply
    • Hi John. That sounds like a pretty cool project! I’d love to know how it turns out for you once it’s working. Regarding your questions:

      1. It won’t damage anything to have the ~4Ω speakers missing, but there are some cases where a missing load can cause an output circuit to not function at its normal output. In that case you might not have sound, the signal may be “off”, or etc.

      2. You could always replace the speakers with inexpensive power resistors – say 5W-10W in this case – or whatever resistance value you need for what the 8 track player needs.

      #2 is an option that can help in the odd case that you have an issue with the output signal from the 8 track player if the speakers are removed. The line out converter can then be connected in parallel with the power resistors you add. It won’t cause an issue because those normally have a very high impedance and won’t drop the total Ohms a stereo sees.

      I hope that helps! Have a good weekend.

      Reply
      • Thanks Marty! Very helpful and reassuring so I don’t damage the player!

        Will let you know how it all goes once I get it set up!

        Reply
  2. Hello, I was wondering if there was a way to hack the connection or link up a wireless samsung subwoofer and far as I know it only has the link button on the back, no other connections, to a polk audio signa s1 soundbar. I have the soundbar connected to my t.v. via a 3.5mm aux jack. When you contact samsung they tell you that there wireless subwoofer is brand specific. I have limited knowledge when it comes to sound design and I’ve been playing in a band which really got me interested in the way sound can be manipulated. This is awesome full of great info so I d like to say thank you.

    Reply
    • Hi Christopher and thanks for your kind words about my website. I do appreciate it!

      Unfortunately, wireless speakers like that typically use a custom protocol/wireless connection that only works with the original system. So they’re usually correct when they say it’s brand specific.

      Sorry! :)

      Reply
      • MR Marty the problem I have is that, the radio I’m connecting it has no av port to connect amplifier.So what can I do for me to connect it

        Reply
  3. This website answered ALL of my questions! I have really been struggling on how to connect an amplified gaming chair to my Onkyo TX-NR757 receiver that has no preouts. The chair needs 1/8″ pin stereo and if I could only use the headphone output on the Onkyo or if it had stereo pre-outs I would be set. But headphone jack turns off the speakers. When I connect chair to aux out on tv, I get a 100ms or so audio delay because of the D/A conversion done by the tv that I cannot trim completely in the receiver. The worst part is the delay varies based on the source, so I have to constantly adjust it and it’s never completely gone. The echo drives me nuts.

    So, my solution was speaker level to line level RCA box, but I wasn’t sure if that would short my amp leaving the speakers connected. Your article states that it will be find so I will give it a go.

    Still wish I had full line level pre outs though because these will be variable. I guess that just isn’t possible.

    I guess I can buy an HDMI audio extractor and hope it doesn’t add a delay too, but I bet it does when it does the D/A conversion. I just can’t understand how an AVR with 9 HDMI inputs and Dolby Atmos can’t have preouts?

    Reply
    • Hi, yes there’s always the chance of getting latency (signal delay) if you use an HDMI audio extractor unfortunately but it may be ok. I’ve used them before without an issue.

      It’s unfortunate the AV receiver doesn’t have preouts you can use, but sadly that’s not unusual. Best regards.

      Reply
  4. So so… I just bought the kef ls50 meta’s in mineral white, nice speakers!! And a cheap eBay silver vu amplifier.. my question is the kef ls 50 meta is rated at 40-100 watts an my amplifier has 25 watts per channel I only have power in to amplifier 1 RCA line input 2 X left and right speaker outputs a volume knob a power switch and the left/right Chanel vu meters .. how / if do I get and wire so that I can get more watts to my speakers 🥴

    Reply
    • Hi, I’d need a link to the amplifier or something to help me find it. That’s needed so I can check it out to see what options there are.

      Reply
    • Hi there. Great question, and great timing also as this topic was just on my mind this week.

      The simplest solution is to add a series resistor inline with one speaker wire input to each channel on the LOC. This will divide down the voltage it gets even further as home stereos & amps use a higher output to drive 8Ω speakers than 4Ω speakers use.

      Adding a 40Ω to 60Ω, 5W or higher resistor should do the trick. I’ll work on updating the article to add that info.

      Reply
    • Hello Jeff. I’ll need to know more information in order to help. However, if the Samsung home theater receiver doesn’t have RCA outputs it should often be possible according to what you see above in the article.

      Best regards.

      Reply
  5. Hello Marty
    I’m trying to connect a Denon AVR-S540BT (no pre outs) to a Yamaha A-S301and a JVC SEA -11 graphic eq. The Yamaha amp only hass connections for my front an rear speakears and sub but no center channel can you please give me some guidance on this set up
    Thanks in advance

    Reply
    • Hi, so several things:

      1. You won’t have a center channel speaker without adding an additional amp/amplifier channel. In the Denon you’ll have to disable the center channel function (downmix to the front left & right channels) to avoid losing center channel sound when playing surround sound media.

      2. You can connect the JVC & Yamaha via line level adapters connected to the speaker outputs of the Denon, and use the JVC on the front stereo channels if you want to keep independent rear satellite channels for when you’re playing 5.1 media.

      Best regards!

      Reply
  6. Hello, I Want To Ask About Connecting Tube Preamp Board Without Amplication Function To My Denon-X2000. Do You Think The Sound Quality Is Improving Or I Just Waste My Money? Also Does It Affect The Surround Sound?

    Product Link:
    Check out AIYIMA 6J3 Vacuum Tube Preamp Amplifier Board HiFi Tube Preamplifier Bile Buffer Amp Speaker Home Sound Theater DIY : shopee[dot]com.my/product/30095187/

    Also, Can You Provide Your Email So I Can Contact You Easily.

    Reply
    • Hello there. My email / contact info is on my Contact page (see menu).

      To answer your question, that type of tube preamp will not do much for sound. While it may be able to slightly color the sound in a high-fidelity system, it’s much less detectable with your ears than a high-voltage tube preamp and much, much less than a real tube amplifier.

      If you’re on a budget, your best bet would be to build your own high-voltage tube preamp or a buy ready-made tube preamp powered from a high-voltage supply. The ~12V preamps are disappointing, sorry! :(

      Here’s one I built with nice results: https://www.siliconchip.com.au/Issue/2003/November/A+12AX7+Valve+Audio+Preamplifier You may be able to find some type of “real” tube preamp kit of some type on AliExpress hopefully.

      Best regards!

      Reply
  7. Hello, I have the Emotiva PT-100 preamp with one pre-out and the Emotiva A300 power amp. And would like to add a second power amp. My dac is using the optical out of the preamp, but I have the headphone, coaxial and HDMI out’s available. Which one of your adapters would you recommend for the best possible sound?

    Thank you,
    Mike

    Reply
    • Hello Michael. The coaxial (digital) connection would be ideal. It’s idential to the optical connection but just uses an electrical digital signal instead of light.

      Best regards!

      Reply
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