How to Connect a PC to a Stereo

You can now enjoy the sounds of your CD collection while working on your PC. All you need are a few inexpensive cable adapters and about 10 minutes of time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Shielded Y-connectors
• Cable with 3.5 mm stereo mini plugs
• 3.5 mm mini plug adapter

Connect a PC to a Component Stereo System

1. Go to an electronics store. Purchase two sets of shielded Y-connectors with a 3.5 mm mini stereo plug on one end and two standard RCA plugs on the other end.
2. Move your stereo as close as possible to your PC. This will eliminate the need for long cables, which can distort the sound.
3. Plug the Y-connector's mini plug into the stereo sound card's "line out." In a color-coded system, it will be the green one.
4. Connect the RCA plugs to the right and left "line input" at the back of the receiver. It could be labeled CD/AUX, TAPE or CD. Plug the red connector into the right channel input and the black or white connector into the left channel input.
5. Lower the volume on your stereo and switch on both your stereo and PC. If you connected to TAPE, select "Tape" on the front of your computer. You should hear sound coming from the speakers.
6. Connect the RCA plugs on the other set of the Y-connectors to the right and left "line output" on the back of the receiver (again, red to the right and white or black to the left).
7. Connect the mini plugs to the "line in" at the back of the sound card.
8. Turn on your stereo and your PC. On your stereo, select the "line out" you chose to connect to. Slowly increase the volume. You should hear sound coming from the speakers.

Connect a PC to an All-in-One Console System

9. Purchase a cable with a single 3.5 mm stereo mini plug at each end and a 3.5 mm mini plug adapter with a 1/4-inch plug on one end and a 3.5 mm jack on the other.
10. Plug the 3.5 mm mini stereo plug connector into your stereo's headphone jack.
11. Plug one end of the cable with a 3.5 mm stereo mini plug into the adapter headphone jack. Plug the other end into the sound card's "line in." You should be able to record music you play on your stereo to your PC's hard drive.

Tips & Warnings

• Measure the distance between your PC and your stereo. If they are more than 20 feet apart, ask a salesperson at your local electronics store to help you find the right cables and plugs so that you can make your own extension cable.

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