Connecting modern TV with old amplifier
Discussion
My dad has recently purchased a new Sony HDTV. The plan had been to connect this up to his Denon PMA-355UK amp to provide surround sound through the current Hi-Fi set up (6 x custom made one off Tannoy speakers) however as the amp is relatively old it doesn't have an AUX input, it only has the phono L+R inputs. Currently he's running the sound through an AUX-Phono conversion cable however the sound quality is hellish even with the volume turned down.
Is there any way to connect the TV to the Amp and produce a better sound? My original thought was to buy a digital convertor to use the Optical output on the telly to then provide sound to the amp through output phono cables from the convertor, but I don't want to shell out £50 for the sound to be just as crap.
The TV has all the usual outputs that pretty much any modern Smart TV has, but I've got a picture of the back of the amp below
Would appreciate any suggestions as now he's discovered all the music on Youtube he wants to watch the videos as well as listen to the sound, and preferably at a loud enough volume to annoy the neighbours!
Is there any way to connect the TV to the Amp and produce a better sound? My original thought was to buy a digital convertor to use the Optical output on the telly to then provide sound to the amp through output phono cables from the convertor, but I don't want to shell out £50 for the sound to be just as crap.
The TV has all the usual outputs that pretty much any modern Smart TV has, but I've got a picture of the back of the amp below
Would appreciate any suggestions as now he's discovered all the music on Youtube he wants to watch the videos as well as listen to the sound, and preferably at a loud enough volume to annoy the neighbours!
When you say “phono” do you mean the type of connector (RCA) or the input on the amp? If it’s the input on the amp, use DVD instead. The phono inputs are only compatible with record plays and work at different levels. Turn everything down before you put sound through it though as you ave probably cranked the volume up to compensate.
If it’s the type of connector and you are already using the DVD input, try CD (or anything other than phono). It should work with either. If it isn’t then either the output of the TV is set wrong or something is broken.
If it’s the type of connector and you are already using the DVD input, try CD (or anything other than phono). It should work with either. If it isn’t then either the output of the TV is set wrong or something is broken.
Edited by h0b0 on Saturday 30th September 15:15
As the amp is a standard stereo amp (rather than surround 5.1+), you're just looking to get the stereo audio output from the TV to the amp.
You could use an SPDIF to RCA converter - audio optical out from TV to converter, then normal RCA/Phono leads into the amp input.
The above model linked to is not a recommendation, just an example of the type of device.
As has been mentioned above, as these will be line level inputs, they should go into the amp on one of the line level inputs (CD, Tuner, or DVD/AUX), but definitely not the Phono inputs.
The other thing you could try very cheaply if your TV has a headphone socket is to try a headphone to RCA converter cable again connected to the CD, Tuner, or DVD/AUX inputs of the amp.
You could use an SPDIF to RCA converter - audio optical out from TV to converter, then normal RCA/Phono leads into the amp input.
The above model linked to is not a recommendation, just an example of the type of device.
As has been mentioned above, as these will be line level inputs, they should go into the amp on one of the line level inputs (CD, Tuner, or DVD/AUX), but definitely not the Phono inputs.
The other thing you could try very cheaply if your TV has a headphone socket is to try a headphone to RCA converter cable again connected to the CD, Tuner, or DVD/AUX inputs of the amp.
Well, that's a 2 channel amp, so he won't get surround sound no matter how many speakers are attached to it. It'll work for stereo though, and give a much bigger sound than the TV amp and speakers. I've done this with my TV.
It has a line out socket, and in the settings this can be changed from 'headphone' to 'line out' mapping. You just need a 3.5mm jack to 2 phono lead, and connect it up to any input on the amp apart from the turntable one. All the others do exactly the same thing, it's only the labelling that's different. My TV is connected to the 'tuner' one that I don't use, with a rather dashing dymo tape label over the top. You can buy the lead for £30 from Dixons or £2 from ebay.
It has a line out socket, and in the settings this can be changed from 'headphone' to 'line out' mapping. You just need a 3.5mm jack to 2 phono lead, and connect it up to any input on the amp apart from the turntable one. All the others do exactly the same thing, it's only the labelling that's different. My TV is connected to the 'tuner' one that I don't use, with a rather dashing dymo tape label over the top. You can buy the lead for £30 from Dixons or £2 from ebay.
I would have thought headphone socket to twin RCA's (so 3.5mm to left and right phono), then use any of the line level inputs on the amp (i.e. anything other than the phono input). The advantage here is you can control the volume level via the TV remote. Assuming the TV has a headphone socket of course.
Sorry, I should have clarified that I understand it's not a true surround sound system, that was never the actual aim as he's not that bothered about it, he just wants to enjoy some music without having to change CD's or crawl in front of the Brennan to see what he's chasing next.
Had the Amp apart (as you do!) and figured out the issue. Also bought him a much better AUX-RCA cable so it's all good and he's a happy bunny. Not sure how the neighbours will feel when he's got a Simple Minds Live in Glasgow concert on the telly, but I don't live there so it's not my concern!
Had the Amp apart (as you do!) and figured out the issue. Also bought him a much better AUX-RCA cable so it's all good and he's a happy bunny. Not sure how the neighbours will feel when he's got a Simple Minds Live in Glasgow concert on the telly, but I don't live there so it's not my concern!
Does the TV have a scart output? If so, use one of these to connect it to a spare input (not Phono) on the amp.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SCART-Phono-Cable-Audio-S...
If it doesn't have a SCART, does it have an HDMI output? If so, then you'll need somethign like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oxsubor-IMPORTANT-DECODIN...
Obviously ignore the yellow lead (video) in both cases.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SCART-Phono-Cable-Audio-S...
If it doesn't have a SCART, does it have an HDMI output? If so, then you'll need somethign like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oxsubor-IMPORTANT-DECODIN...
Obviously ignore the yellow lead (video) in both cases.
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