Connect a turntable to a Bluetooth speaker using line-in

A Bluetooth speaker can also work with vinyl if it has the right audio input. Enkl Sound ES2 has a 3.5 mm line-in. The turntable must provide a line-level signal; a cable alone is not always enough.

PHONO and LINE

A turntable cartridge normally produces a weak signal that needs a phono preamplifier with RIAA equalisation before reaching an ordinary line input. Some turntables have one built in; others need a separate unit.

If your turntable has a PHONO/LINE switch, normally select LINE when connecting directly to line-in. Follow its manual. The Audio-Technica AT-LP60 manual gives an example.

The signal path

• Built-in phono preamp: connect the turntable’s LINE output to ES2’s 3.5 mm line-in.
• No built-in phono preamp: connect the turntable to a suitable phono preamp, then to ES2’s line-in.

A separate preamp must match the cartridge type. ES2’s line-in is an analogue audio input, not a dedicated PHONO input.

Choosing a cable

For two RCA output sockets, a dual-RCA to 3.5 mm stereo cable is often suitable. For a 3.5 mm line output, a 3.5 mm stereo cable is usually used. Check the connectors, signal level and instructions before connecting.

Never connect an amplifier’s speaker output directly to ES2’s line-in. A speaker output is not a line output.

Connecting one ES2

1. Turn down the volume before connecting equipment.
2. Check that the signal comes from a LINE output or suitable phono preamp.
3. Connect it to ES2’s 3.5 mm line-in using the correct cable.
4. Start the turntable and increase the volume gradually.

Very quiet or incorrect sound

Quiet, thin sound can mean a PHONO signal is connected without the necessary RIAA preamplification. Check the signal path before simply increasing volume. For hum, check connections and follow the turntable’s grounding instructions.

Bluetooth or cable?

A turntable with a compatible Bluetooth transmitter may offer a wireless option. Bluetooth support alone does not tell you the connection direction: it must transmit audio to a speaker. Line-in uses the analogue output and does not need Bluetooth for the connection.

This guide covers a wired connection to one ES2. Read about two ES2 speakers in stereo over Bluetooth or see ES2’s inputs and specifications.