How to connect a TV to a stereo amplifier

Choose a route supported at both ends

Read the socket labels and manuals for your exact TV and stereo amplifier. Identify the TV's audio output, the amplifier's matching input, the supported signal format and where volume will be controlled. Choose the cable after those checks.

Sony's audio-system connection guide illustrates HDMI ARC, optical and analog routes. It is a model-family example: port locations and menu names must come from your own equipment's instructions.

Route 1: HDMI ARC or eARC

Path: TV's designated ARC/eARC port → compatible audio-return connection on the stereo system.

ARC stands for Audio Return Channel. It carries TV audio back to a connected audio system over HDMI. HDMI's eARC overview describes the enhanced return-channel transport. An ordinary HDMI socket does not establish support for either route, and eARC transport capacity does not turn a stereo amplifier into a surround decoder.

Check three separate settings: the designated TV port, the amplifier's TV-audio source and the TV's external-audio output. Follow the actual manuals for any HDMI control or CEC dependency. Do not assume every product uses the same setting or supports the same remote-control behaviour.

For example, Cambridge Audio's Evo 75/150 FAQ requires a two-channel PCM signal, the ARC-capable TV port and the TV ARC source. It also notes that particular apps may need their own audio-setting changes. Those are the named receiver's requirements, not a statement that HDMI only carries stereo PCM.

Route 2: optical digital audio

Path: TV optical audio output → amplifier optical digital input.

Check that the receiver accepts the TV's channel count, sample rate and encoding. For an input that requires two-channel PCM, select the corresponding TV output format instead of passing through an unsupported compressed surround stream.

This check matters before playback. The Denon PMA-600NE digital-input instructions specifically warn that non-PCM signals such as Dolby Digital, DTS and AAC can produce noise and damage speakers. Unsupported audio is not guaranteed to fail silently.

Determine how volume works for the chosen route. Do not infer TV-remote volume control, automatic power switching or correct lip sync from the optical cable alone.

Route 3: analog audio

Path: TV's appropriate analog audio output → amplifier's stereo line input.

Verify output versus input labels and whether the TV output is fixed or variable. A variable output introduces a TV-side level control; a fixed output does not necessarily follow the TV volume buttons. A documented headphone output may provide an analog route, but its level and connector arrangement need checking too.

Use a suitable line input, not PHONO. An RCA video socket is not an analog audio output merely because a cable fits. The connection guide and phono versus line explain those distinctions. PCM is a digital format, not something carried by the analog cable in this route.

Digital-only TV, analog-only amplifier

Path: supported TV digital output → compatible DAC → amplifier line input.

A digital-to-analog converter supplies the missing conversion function. Confirm its digital input, accepted format, analog output and volume behaviour before choosing it. A passive plug adapter does not perform conversion. See what a DAC does for that distinction.

Connect and check one route

1. Record both models, the selected output/input and the receiver's format requirement.
2. Make connections with equipment off as its manuals instruct.
3. Select the amplifier input and the TV's external audio destination.
4. Set a supported digital format where applicable, including app or external-source settings when needed.
5. Begin at low volume and check a familiar programme, then each app or external source you actually use.

A working broadcast does not establish that every app is configured correctly. If a source is silent, recheck its port, selected destination and format before replacing components. Keep the original settings in a note so changes can be reversed. For remaining problems, follow the no-sound checklist or the relevant manufacturer's support steps.