Hi-Fi Cables

Choose a Hi-Fi cable according to the devices you want to connect and the connectors at both ends. The direction of transmission, required length and routing between furniture, electronics and speakers also matter. A connector's appearance alone may not confirm the signal type, so check the input and output labels in the device manual. Above all, the right cable should provide a reliable and safe connection without unnecessary tension.

Hi-Fi cables by connection type

First determine whether you are connecting a signal source to an amplifier, an amplifier to speakers or digital devices to each other. Analogue line-level, turntable, digital and speaker wiring have different purposes and cannot be interchanged merely because their connectors look similar. Also check whether you need one cable, a stereo pair or separate wiring for the left and right channels.

Connection type	Common connectors	What it is used for	What to check before choosing
Analogue unbalanced	RCA, 3.5 mm jack, 6.3 mm jack	Connecting a source, preamplifier, amplifier or active speakers	Input and output type, number of channels and jack connector wiring
Analogue balanced	XLR, or a TRS jack depending on the device	Connecting devices with balanced inputs and outputs	Whether both devices actually use the same type of balanced wiring
Digital optical	Toslink or, where applicable, mini-Toslink	Transmitting a digital audio signal between compatible devices	Connector shape, supported input and output, and gentle routing without sharp bends
Digital coaxial	Usually an RCA connector labelled coaxial or S/PDIF	Connecting a source digitally to a converter, receiver or amplifier	The digital port label; a regular analogue RCA input is not a substitute
USB	USB to match the device connectors	Connecting a computer, player or other source to a compatible audio device	Connectors at both ends, the port's data function and device requirements
Speaker	Bare wire, banana plug, spade connector or a manufacturer-specified connector	Connecting a power amplifier to passive speakers	Accepted termination method, polarity, length of both runs and secure attachment
Turntable and tonearm	RCA or specialised connectors to suit the tonearm and turntable	Connecting a turntable or tonearm to a phono input or preamplifier	Connectors, grounding wire, connection direction and manufacturer requirements

Connectors at both ends

Write down the exact label of the first device's output and the second device's input. It is not enough to know that both ports look like RCA or jack connectors: the same mechanical design may carry a different signal or number of channels. For jack connectors, check both the diameter and number of contacts. For XLR, verify the number of pins and the port's purpose; for USB, check the specific connector shape and whether the port carries data.

Only use an adapter when the electrical signal type and wiring of both devices are compatible. A passive adapter cannot convert an analogue signal to digital by itself or add a function the port lacks. If you are connecting a turntable, distinguish between a line output and a phono output and follow the documentation for both the turntable and amplifier. For specific tonearm connections, see Hi-Fi tonearm cables.

Cable length and routing

Measure the actual route from connector to connector, not just the straight-line distance between the devices. Add a reasonable allowance for connecting and pulling out the device and for a relaxed curve at the connector, but do not choose an unnecessarily long run. The cable must not hang from the socket with its full weight, be pinched by the edge of furniture or be pulled taut across a passageway.

Route signal cables neatly and, where possible, separately from mains leads and power adapters. If they have to cross, do not tie them into a tight shared bundle. Do not kink or bend optical wiring sharply. Connect speaker cables with the amplifier switched off, maintain the same polarity on both channels and do not allow loose conductors to touch an adjacent terminal.

Checklist before choosing

Identify the specific devices you are connecting and the direction in which the signal needs to travel.
Check the label and function of the output and input in the manuals for both devices.
Write down the type, size and design of the connector at each end.
Distinguish between analogue, digital, turntable and speaker connections.
Find out whether you need a mono cable, stereo cable, pair of cables or two speaker runs.
Measure the planned route and leave some slack without creating taut loops.
Check the space behind the device and the direction in which the connector will extend.
For a turntable, check whether a separate grounding wire is required.
For speakers, check the terminations supported by the terminals and the correct polarity.
Plan the route away from places where the cable could be crushed, become a trip hazard or overheat.

Connection and subsequent checks

Switch devices off before connecting them, and disconnect the amplifier from the power supply when handling speaker wiring. Insert the connector straight and hold it by its body, not the cable; do not use force if it does not fit mechanically. After connecting, check that the connections are secure, the speaker polarity is correct and the right input is selected. If you experience dropouts, hum or crackling, switch the devices off first and then check the connectors, cable route and signal-type compatibility rather than repeatedly moving the cable during operation.