How to Add Bluetooth to Stereo Receiver? — For Wireless Home Audio Connections

Technology has come a long way, and we see the ability to integrate an old stereo system with the modern Bluetooth wireless technology. However, if you do not hook it up correctly, there will be no audio and perhaps even damage to the Bluetooth device or other systems. Our experts are here to prevent this by teaching you how to add Bluetooth to stereo receiver. 

How to Add Bluetooth to Stereo Receiver?

Connect with Bluetooth Adapter

The easiest way to add Bluetooth to stereo receiver is via a Bluetooth adapter. Our experts will guide you carefully through each step. All you need is your Bluetooth adapter, A/V receiver and a power cord for the Bluetooth adapter.

How to Connect Bluetooth Receiver

Connecting your Bluetooth receiver or adapter to your stereo system is a very straightforward process. You will have a single wire connection from the Bluetooth receiver to the A/V stereo and plug in the adapter to a power source. Let’s take a look at how to do this in more detail.

Yamaha RX-V685 Receiver with remote

Before you head out and purchase any Bluetooth adapter on the market, you need to make sure the one you select is compatible with the inputs on your stereo receiver. Don’t worry if you can’t find one, our experts say you can easily compensate for it by purchasing a converter cable. 

Another thing to be aware of is that a Bluetooth receiver uses analog inputs. If your receiver only features digital options, then you need to purchase a converter. 

(Looking for the ideal stereo system to add to your vehicle? Well, you can check the best flip-out car stereo we listed here

Find Appropriate Ports and Connect

Our team say the ports are easy to locate. Look on the back of your stereo system to find the appropriate ports. It may be labeled differently on separate devices, but the most common names the port falls under are “output” and “audio out”. If all else fails, you can utilize the headphone jack instead.

Once you have located the port, connect the RCA cable [1] to the stereo or A/V receiver to the Bluetooth adapter. Make sure the cable is securely plugged in by jiggling it lightly. Without the cable being tightly plugged in, you could experience no audio or no connection, and this will lead you to believe a component in your system isn’t working. 

Connect Bluetooth Adapter to Audio Device

Once you are sure the cable is tightly plugged in, you can connect the two devices via Bluetooth. This can be attempted by turning on the Bluetooth device and putting it into pairing mode. Then, locate the name of your device to establish the connection.

phone connected to the TCL Alto 7 2.0 via bluetooth

The process should be intuitive and most of the work will be done for you by the device itself. However, if it’s not as simple as turning on the device, pairing and connecting, then refer to the user manual for the adapter.

Stream Music and Audio from Stereo Receiver

Once the wireless connection is stable, you can start to listen to music from your mobile devices from your old stereo. There may be a chance you need to adjust the input settings for the receiver to RCA, and the user manual should illustrate how. If everything is done correctly, you can head over to a streaming app on your mobile device, click on your favorite song and it should come through your stereo speakers.

(Is it possible to get 5.1 from your PC? Then, you can check out this trick on how to get 5.1 surround sound from your PC HDMI next!)

FAQ

Can I add Bluetooth to my stereo receiver?

Yes, you can add Bluetooth to your stereo receiver. The simplest way to do it is with a Bluetooth adapter. These devices aren’t very costly and are very easy to set up. All it requires is your Bluetooth adapter, the right cable, your receiver and of course, the source of the music such as your smartphone.

How do I connect my Bluetooth to my receiver?

You can connect Bluetooth to your receiver by connecting the RCA cable between the Bluetooth adapter and stereo receiver in the right ports. Make sure the adapter is connected to a power source before powering on the device and putting it into pairing mode. Once you have identified and connected to the adapter to the right device, you can start to stream your music.

Conclusion

It’s easy to feel like your old stereo system is outdated. Before you head out and purchase Bluetooth speakers that could cost over a few hundred dollars, why not invest in a Bluetooth adapter to add Bluetooth to stereo receiver? Not only will this save you a lot of money, but our team highly suggests this as the steps are easy and you can breathe new life into an old wired system. 

A receiver can be used in more ways than one. To learn more about them, you can check these pages below:

Writer

Willie Greer
Willie Greer
Willie Greer is the founder of The Product Analyst. A cinephile, he has made it a personal quest to achieve the awesomest home theater possible. He now shares what he has learned through the years on the site, and has enlisted the help of tech-savvy colleagues in providing more insight about today’s most sought-after gadgets.