Turntables offer a unique listening experience that, I think, can’t be replicated by digital formats. However, you still have the ability to connect it to modern audio equipment if you want to enjoy your music sessions, for example, with your wireless Bluetooth speakers. You know that several turntables even come with built-in Bluetooth, but you can still connect to a Bluetooth speaker even though your turntable does not have it. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of how to connect a record player to Bluetooth speakers step-by-step.
Understanding your equipment
To conduct this action properly, you must understand what equipment you need. It is important to remember that there are two types of turntables: traditional turntables and turntables with built-in Bluetooth features. For each of them, you’ll need different tools.
To connect a traditional device to a Bluetooth speaker, make sure it has a built-in phono preamp or a separate external phono preamp. In case your turntable doesn’t have a built-in phono preamp, you’ll need an external one because this is essential for converting the turntable’s analog signal. The last thing you will need is a Bluetooth transmitter. The transmitter will take the audio signal from your turntable or phono preamp and wirelessly send it to a Bluetooth-enabled speaker.
If your turntable already has built-in Bluetooth features, connecting it to the speaker is usually straightforward. You will simply need your turntable and Bluetooth speaker.
Method 1: Connecting a traditional turntable to a Bluetooth speaker
As I mentioned earlier, this process requires extra equipment. To connect a Bluetooth speaker to this kind of turntable, you need to:
Step 1. Connect an external phono preamp.
Step 2. Use RCA audio cables to connect the phono preamp’s output to the input of the Bluetooth transmitter.
Step 3. Power on the Bluetooth transmitter and pair it with the Bluetooth speaker.
Of course, there are some benefits, such as wireless flexibility, but there are also some drawbacks, like a potential audio quality loss because of wireless transmission.
Method 2: Connecting a turntable with built-in Bluetooth
If you have a vinyl player with an already built-in Bluetooth option, you just have to power on both devices and set them in pairing mode. After this, allow the turntable to discover and connect to the speaker.
In my opinion, this setup offers straightforward wireless convenience, and you won’t need any additional components for it. Still, it may experience some range and audio quality limitations, of course.
