Connections & compatibility
Connect equipment correctly and trace connection-related problems.
Articles in Connections & compatibility
Why do speakers hum, buzz or hiss? Safe checks
Hum, buzz and hiss describe different listening impressions, but none identifies a faulty component by itself. Record when the noise occurs, then change one supported external signal connection at a time. Keep protective grounding intact and use the results to narrow the affected path, rather than treating a temporary improvement as proof of a repair.
No sound or one speaker not working: what to check
A silent system or missing channel does not immediately identify a failed speaker. Check playback, routing, controls and accessible connections, then change one compatible part of the signal path at a time. Record whether the symptom moves or stays so you can give support useful evidence without opening equipment or guessing at unfamiliar wiring.
How to connect a TV to a stereo amplifier
Match a documented TV audio output to a compatible amplifier input, then check the audio format and volume controls. HDMI ARC or eARC, optical and analog outputs offer different routes. A working cable is only part of the setup: the selected TV output, amplifier source and app settings must agree too.
Speaker wire gauge: length, resistance and connections
Choose passive-speaker cable by its conductor size and resistance, the route length, the speaker load and the terminals it must fit. A thick outer jacket is not the same as a thick conductor. This guide includes a labelled resistance example and a connection checklist, without turning one cable size into a universal recommendation.
Hi-fi connections explained: what plugs into what?
Match the signal and direction at both ends before choosing a cable. An output must feed an input designed for that signal: analog line, phono, speaker-level or a compatible digital format. RCA, XLR and USB describe connectors, not a complete compatibility promise. When the signal itself must change, you need the appropriate conversion function, not just plugs that fit.