After purchasing a stereo receiver, you're not quite sure hook it up. You already have your DVD player, cable box and TV hooked together, and a separate audio system working, so how do you integrate the new receiver? Here's the basics of what you'll need to do.
Instructions
1. Determine and purchase the necessary wiring. If you don't already have all the wires that you need, this is the most important step. Once you get the right connection cables, the rest will be pretty straightforward. Make sure to look at both the receiver inputs, and the outputs of each component to see which cables will be compatible. See above for "Thing You'll Need" for examples.
2. Make certain that you have enough outlets. Since you'll be connecting many powered devices in close proximity, you'll need an appropriately sized surge protector.
3. Shut the power off to all devices, assuming it's not already off.
4. Connect your audio sources. Your receiver should have labeled inputs on the back, such as "CD," "DVD," or "TV." Use the appropriate inputs to connect your audio sources whenever available, and use "Aux" or unused inputs for other devices. Use either RCA (left and right) or digital cable for these connections.
5. Connect your subwoofer. Use the "Sub Out" or "LFE Out" on your receiver and RCA or subwoofer cable. Note, however, that LFE is a surround channel and probably won't pass bass to the subwoofer on 2-channel audio recordings.
6. If you don't have a "Sub Out" on your receiver, connect the subwoofer to the Main/ Front Speaker outputs of the receiver. Run speaker cable from the left positive output terminal of the receiver to the left positive input on the subwoofer, then left negative to left negative. Repeat for right speaker. Speaker cable features two separate strands of wire; be sure that each individual strand connects terminals of the same polarity, from receiver to subwoofer.
7. Connect the speakers. If you connected your subwoofer using speaker cable in Step 6, use the subwoofer's speaker outputs. If not, use the Main speaker outputs on the receiver. Either way, connect both left and right speakers using speaker cable. Make sure that each strand of cable connects terminals of the same polarity and proper side speaker. Speakers side is determined by listening position. In other words, the left speaker is on your left side when you're sitting back in your listening chair looking at the system. This is probably obvious, but since you're working behind the receiver, the speakers will be on your opposite sides while connecting.
8. If your speakers are bi or tri wireable, be sure that the speaker terminals of the same polarity are bridged. Or use additional speaker cable from the receiver to biwire the speakers.
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