How to Play an iPod or Similar MP3 Player Through a Stereo

Connecting your iPod or other MP3 player to your home stereo gives you flexibility of not only finding songs and albums quickly and easily to play, but also allows you to play your favorite playlists through your stereo too!

All you need to hook it up to your stereo is a 1/8" to RCA connector cable that can be found at any electronics store. Set up is simple:

1. Plug the single 1/8" plug into the headphone (or line out) jack on the MP3 player.

2. Find an empty RCA connection on the back of your receiver (any open connection except PHONO will do).

3. Plug the red and white RCA jacks into the back of your receiver, matching the colors of the plug to the connection (if your receiver is not color coded, red is right (R), white is left (L)).

4. Turn on the receiver and press the input corresponding to the input where you plugged in the RCA cables above.

5. Turn on your MP3 player and play a song and it should come out your speakers.

6. Adjust volume controls as you desire. Keep the MP3 player at about 75% of total volume to prevent the distortion of the sound.

You can also find another explanation of this hookup and other ideas for playing MP3s in Matt Whitlock's 'How To' article.