Belkin 3.5mm Stereo To RCA Audio Cable, 2 Metre

Belkin 3.5mm Stereo to RCA Cable 2m

The Belkin 3.5mm Stereo to RCA Cable is a 2 metre analogue audio lead that connects a device with a 3.5mm stereo output to an amplifier, AV receiver or active speaker with RCA line inputs. One end carries a single 3.5mm stereo plug for a phone, computer, portable player or headphone output; the other end splits into the familiar red and white RCA pair for left and right channels. It is the standard, reliable way to get sound from a small portable source into a proper hi-fi or home audio system, with no conversion electronics involved.

Key features

• 3.5mm stereo male plug at the source end
• Two RCA male plugs for left and right line inputs
• 2 metre length for comfortable equipment spacing
• Direct analogue connection with no digital conversion
• Belkin audio cable for hi-fi, receiver and active speaker hookups

Connecting portable sources to hi-fi systems

Many amplifiers and receivers have no 3.5mm input, and many phones, laptops and portable players have no RCA output. This cable bridges that gap in one lead. Plug the 3.5mm end into the headphone or line output of the source, connect the RCA plugs to a line-level input such as AUX, CD or LINE on the amplifier, select that input and play. The red plug carries the right channel and the white plug carries the left channel, so match them to the correspondingly marked sockets to keep the stereo image correct.

Signal level and sound quality basics

This is a line-level analogue connection. Use a normal line input on the receiving equipment, not the phono input: a phono input applies extra gain and equalisation designed for turntables and will overload and distort with an ordinary headphone or line source. If the source is a headphone output with its own volume control, start low and raise it gradually to a clean level, since running a headphone output at maximum into a sensitive input can also cause distortion. Turn volumes down before connecting or disconnecting, and seat every plug fully, because a partly inserted RCA or 3.5mm plug commonly causes one channel to drop or hum.

Length and routing

Two metres gives enough reach for a laptop or player sitting beside a hi-fi stack, a phone placed on a side table near an amplifier, or a small source feeding active speakers across a desk. Route the cable away from tight bundles of mains power cables where practical, avoid sharp bends at the plug ends, and leave a little slack so nothing pulls sideways on the sockets. For a fixed installation, secure the lead so it cannot be tugged when equipment is moved for cleaning or adjustment behind the system.

What this cable does not do

The cable carries analogue audio only. It does not convert USB, optical or HDMI digital audio into analogue sound, so a device without a 3.5mm analogue output needs a suitable adapter or converter in addition to this lead. The RCA pair here is for left and right audio, not for video. It also cannot drive passive speakers on its own: passive speakers need a power amplifier, and this cable feeds the amplifier input, not the speaker terminals. The listing identifies the cable by its connectors and length; the exact retail part code is not stated.

For playing a phone, computer or portable player through an amplifier, receiver or active speakers with RCA inputs, this 2 metre Belkin 3.5mm to RCA cable is the correct, simple connection.