4 great uses for your old sound system

You can repurpose an old audio system as a Bluetooth music system, upgrade your PC speakers, TV sound solution or budget home theater alternative.

The 4 best uses for your old audio system

Not too long ago, audiophiles sat on their couches to enjoy their 2-way hi-fi sound system, powered by beefy analog amps, connected to tape decks and turntables.In carpeted living rooms, foam grills clunky TV cabinets for large speaker reservations.In the 90s, this was still the case, only the CD was king instead of vinyl and cassettes.Fast forward, digital amps come to the fore, and along with Dolby's "surround sound," the home theater experience is greatly enhanced.Things remained stagnant until Bluetooth technology and streaming services replaced bulky speakers and DVD players, ushering in an era of thin TVs, high-end sound bars, streaming movies and Spotify.

But throughout that time, there have been die-hard audiophiles who have definitely stuck in the past.Many hi-fi fans kept their systems from the 80s;some let them gather dust, languishing in messy garages or closets.Traditionalists who have never upgraded and prefer warm analog vinyl when it crackles can find inspiration here.Other readers who grew up in the streaming age and are used to listening to music from small portable Bluetooth speakers may also find inspiration in digging out their oldest prehistoric stereos.Here are some fun ways to repurpose an analog-era audio system that's been updated to fit our digital world.

Add Bluetooth streaming to the mix

Some audiophiles might say that older systems, with analog circuits, provide a warmth and character that is missing from modern audio equipment.There is also a hidden value aspect, with some old tubes being among the oldest technologies today costing thousands.Cheap Chinese sound bars and speakers found in big box stores can have a cold metal in their sound signature, which can taste after a few hours.But you wonder: if I block my modern hi-fi system, how can I listen to music with this old technology?The simplest answer is to add modern Bluetooth technology and wireless streaming capabilities to the chain.If we take, for example, two bookstore speakers, an analog amp, and phone or tablet, they need a bridge to connect and stream.

You need to buy a Bluetooth receiver, which you can easily and cheaply buy online for about $20.00.This requires an RCA cable to interface with the amplifier, where you plug it into the "aux" input on the back, which means auxiliary.They can be plugged in via a DC adapter or USB, and while they don't offer audiophile cred, you'll instantly bring your system into the 21st century.you might as well.Notice less ear fatigue with warmer, old-school speakers.For many users, this upgrade may represent an outdated setup in exchange for a fraction of the price of newer smart speakers.

Repurpose an old sound system for PC or gaming audio.

For many gamers, a regular set of computer speakers from brands like Altec Lansing and Logitech provide good sound and take up less desk space.But that's mostly an afterthought unless you're looking to buy high-end computer speakers for your PC.For some looking to upgrade their gaming experience on a budget, repurposing an old analog setup from the hi-fi era may be appealing.These small plastic PC speakers, which are probably mass produced in Chinese factories, can sound bad.This is particularly evident when contrasted with portable speakers from the 1980s, from British brands such as KEF and Celestion, or American brands such as JBL and Boston Acoustics.If you weren't lucky enough to inherit the right components from your Boomer or Gen-X parents, don't worry.You can find quite a few on Facebook Market these days.what a surprise!

After setting up your old-fashioned amp and speakers, you can get fuller sound, better stereo imaging, and true low-level presence by routing your computer's audio output through them.Most PCs and laptops can connect via a standard headphone jack-to-RCA cable, plugged into the left and right inputs on the back of your amp, but some gaming consoles with digital outputs may require a digital-to-analog converter (DAC).When properly connected, the receiver handles volume control, making your previously anemic desktop system stand out.

Use an old sound system as a TV sound level

Your TV's built-in speakers are still a weak point in the overall entertainment experience.The picture quality and style of today's best smart TVs continue to impress, but they can fall short when it comes to sound.Even the basic stereo receiver paired with a good speaker can overpower the strongest TV sound combo, with more visible low end.Once you've dusted off the old hi-fi system, connecting it to a modern television may require some finesse and modern hardware, but it's simple.The compact optical-analog DAC bridges the gap where you can get high 48kHz digital sample rates from the back of your TV.

This, in turn, functions as a replacement for a budget soundbar, offering a wider soundstage thanks to separate speakers, with more power.Launch your favorite streaming app, like iTunes or Spotify, and you'll have access to your library, where you use your smart TV like previous generations would use a tape deck or record player.Movies, Netflix shows and YouTube videos will sound richer with vibrant bass and a warmer sound signature.This type of setup allows you to leave the hollow, metallic coldness of soundbars behind without investing in an expensive full home theater system.What's more, it avoids the compatibility headaches and potential firmware issues associated with some newer hardware while improving the home viewing experience.

Rehome Audio Syst Systems of your Hobby Space Audio

Many of us have found new hobbies during the COVID-19 era, which take us to places like garages and basements that may lack a decent sound setup.Sometimes the best way to get the most out of '80s hi-fi is to simply move it to a new location.Sure, you could grab a cheap Bluetooth speaker for this purpose, but will it fill the garage with analog warmth and give you a break as you listen to the fun of the stage? No. In these places where sawdust flies around as you rush to finish your cutting board project, you probably don't want to invest in a $1000 sound system.

This is a place to regain muscle tone or receive the market to the end of the market.Streamer is not Bluetooth.You can go to the papers and control your phone with numbers in a quiet scene.