CD changers are incredibly useful for the audio enthusiast with too many CDs to keep track of. Not only can modern changers hold hundreds of hours worth of music, but they can index and organize them. Hooking up a changer to your stereo or home theater is a bit more challenging than connecting a simple CD player, but the basic cabling concepts remain the same.
Types of Changers
Modern CD changers range from five-disc players to players that can hold hundreds upon hundreds of CDs. Thanks to modern Internet technology, some models offer sophisticated, computerized organizational systems that display CD, artist/track information and album art on your TV. Many even connect to the Internet to get this information automatically. Some CD changers double as Blu-Ray and DVD players.
Connection methods
A CD changer, no matter how large, will always have analog and digital outputs. Analog outputs send two-channel stereo information via standard red and white RCA cables to the receiver or amplifier. Optical and coaxial outputs are also common. These send stereo and multichannel audio, such as movie soundtracks, to a receiver for analog conversion. In both cases, the receiver amplifies the analog signal and outputs it to the speakers. If the player has DVD or Blu-Ray capability, it will be equipped with HDMI connections for video output to a TV.
Making Connection
When you have your CD changer in position, attach one end of the analog or digital cable to its rear output jacks. Now, run the cables to the receiver's input jacks. If running the red/white analog cables, plug it into the corresponding red/white CD input jacks. If running a digital cable, insert it into the receiver's digital coaxial input. These will be labeled, but it may help to have a flashlight handy to aid in proper connection on both ends. After insertion, turn on your receiver and CD changer and test the audio. For a digital connection, you may need to configure your receiver's inputs to output audio from the coaxial input rather than the default analog connection.
Tags: analog digital, cables receiver, coaxial input, digital cable, hold hundreds
