How to Connect Your iPod or iPhone to Your Home Stereo

If you want to play your own music for a party or listen to your downloaded tunes while you're at home, you can connect your iPod or iPhone to your home stereo. To make the connection, you use RCA-type cables.

Component-style stereo systems typically include a receiver that contains a preamp/amplifier (with a volume control) and an FM radio tuner. Some systems separate these functions into different components, such as a preamp, an amplifier, and a tuner. To connect your iPod, iPhone, Apple TV, or computer to a home stereo for audio playback, look for RCA-type connections that are marked AUX IN (for auxiliary input), CD IN (for connecting a CD player), or TAPE IN (for tape deck input). All-in-one stereos and boomboxes typically don’t have connections for audio input, although you can find exceptions. Look at the back and sides of the unit for any RCA-type connections.

Typically, when you connect a CD or tape player to a stereo, you’d use RCA-type cables — one (typically red or black) for the right channel, and one (typically white if the other is black, or white or black if the other is red) for the left channel. Standard RCA cables have the same connectors (RCA-type connectors, if you were curious) on both ends of the cable. RCA cables for iPod/iPhone/Apple TV are a tad different, in that they have a stereo mini-plug on one end and RCA-type connectors on the other. Stereo mini-plugs have two black bands on the plug, but a mono mini-plug has only one black band.

Follow these steps to connect your iPod or iPhone to your stereo:

Connect the stereo mini-plug to either the headphone/line-out connection on a dock or the headphone/line-out connection on the iPod or iPhone.

With the dock connection on older iPod models, you have no control over volume on the iPod. Instead, you use your stereo system or speakers to control the volume. (You can always connect using the headphone/line-out connection on the iPod if this is an issue for you.)
Connect the left and right connectors to the stereo system’s audio input.

Use whatever connections are available, such as AUX IN, TAPE IN, or CD IN.

Don’t use the PHONO IN (phonograph input) connection. On most stereos, these connections are for phonographs (turntables) and aren’t properly matched for other kinds of input devices. If you use the PHONO IN connection, you might get a loud buzzing sound that could damage your speakers.

With current model iPods and iPhones, you can control the volume from the iPod or iPhone. This controls the volume of the signal from the iPod or iPhone. Stereo systems typically have their own control to raise or lower the volume of the amplified speakers. For optimal sound quality when using a home stereo, set the iPod volume at less than the maximum output (about halfway is good), and adjust your listening volume by using your stereo controls.