Analog connection sounds quiet

[SpeakerRookie]

Hey guys, when i play music from my phone to my speakers using a simple rca cable plugged in to my receiver, the music sounds rounded off and much quieter compared to if i play it from my PlayStation 4 which is hooked up using an optical cable to my receiver. Im playing music off spotify on both devices so its the same audio files. but playing from the ps4 sounds much much louder and wayy better sound quality. for example from ps4 i turn the receiver to -25dB and its decently loud. to get a similar level of volume playing from my phone i have to turn it about -15dB and even though the volume is the same at that point, the sound quality is not. is this simply due to the difference in wiring (rca vs optical) or is there something else i can do to get a louder nicer sound playing from my phone. btw i have a 5.1 HK receiver. Would it make a difference if i bought an digital to analog audio converter?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I guess you missed that this is a forum for home theater enthusiasts? I’m sure there’s a forum somewhere out there for DJs. You aren't going to hear any difference worth mentioning with analog cables vs. optical.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[lovinthehd]

I wouldn't assume Spotify has the same bitrate on all devices. The phone's dac/analog output may be too low to be amplified to the same level with the same setting on the avr. You may get better results bypassing the phone's dac/analog output and going digital wired or wifi to your avr, give it a try.

 

[highfigh]

I guess you missed that this is a forum for home theater enthusiasts? I’m sure there’s a forum somewhere out there for DJs. You aren't going to hear any difference worth mentioning with analog cables vs. optical.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Did he edit his post? I see nothing about DJ, anything.

 

[highfigh]

The output jack on most phones is coming from the Digital to Analog Converter- neither is the best for what you want to do. If the AVR has a USB port, use the charging cable from your phone and select NET/USB. If it's able to use AirPlay, use that so you don't need to leave the phone near the AVR. It will sound better, too.

 

[SpeakerRookie]

lol i am not a DJ. this is my home theater im talking about i love watching moveis but i love listening to music on it as well and its much easier and faster using my phone compared to using my ps4. now my avr is pretty old it doesnt have bluetooth or wifi connection or air play. i was considering buying a optical cable that can plug into my phone but it seems to be most phones dont support an optical jack. i have an android so thats why i was thinking of buying a small external DAC nothing to expensive and try hooking my phone up to the receiver using that.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-optical-coaxial-digital-to-analog-converter-black/4226000.p?skuId=4226000
thats the converter i was gonna buy and try it out if it doesnt work i guess i could always return it

 

[MrBoat]

I guess you missed that this is a forum for home theater enthusiasts? I’m sure there’s a forum somewhere out there for DJs. You aren't going to hear any difference worth mentioning with analog cables vs. optical.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

I found this site via google when I was researching "audio." Probably because it's called "Audioholics," and not Hometheaterholics.

 

[highfigh]

lol i am not a DJ. this is my home theater im talking about i love watching moveis but i love listening to music on it as well and its much easier and faster using my phone compared to using my ps4. now my avr is pretty old it doesnt have bluetooth or wifi connection or air play. i was considering buying a optical cable that can plug into my phone but it seems to be most phones dont support an optical jack. i have an android so thats why i was thinking of buying a small external DAC nothing to expensive and try hooking my phone up to the receiver using that.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-optical-coaxial-digital-to-analog-converter-black/4226000.p?skuId=4226000
thats the converter i was gonna buy and try it out if it doesnt work i guess i could always return it

It would help if you would post the make & model of the AV receiver. If it's new enough, it can stream from your phone, as I posted. If you read the manual, you may see something about a NET/USB input (Denon and Marantz have this) and/or DLNA. If you see DLNA, go to the Google Play store and download All Play or Play To, if you don't already have them- it lets you stream to the AVR in a way that's very similar to AirPlay and you wouldn't need to connect a cable or buy anything.

 

[lovinthehd]

lol i am not a DJ. this is my home theater im talking about i love watching moveis but i love listening to music on it as well and its much easier and faster using my phone compared to using my ps4. now my avr is pretty old it doesnt have bluetooth or wifi connection or air play. i was considering buying a optical cable that can plug into my phone but it seems to be most phones dont support an optical jack. i have an android so thats why i was thinking of buying a small external DAC nothing to expensive and try hooking my phone up to the receiver using that.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-optical-coaxial-digital-to-analog-converter-black/4226000.p?skuId=4226000
thats the converter i was gonna buy and try it out if it doesnt work i guess i could always return it

Instead of that I'd probably get a Chromecast Audio unit for your receiver if there's wi-fi available. Thought they originally came with rca cables but now looks like a single 3.5mm, so still need a 3.5/rca adapter for your receiver. This way you can still carry your phone on you rather than leave it physically connected.

 

[SpeakerRookie]

It would help if you would post the make & model of the AV receiver. If it's new enough, it can stream from your phone, as I posted. If you read the manual, you may see something about a NET/USB input (Denon and Marantz have this) and/or DLNA. If you see DLNA, go to the Google Play store and download All Play or Play To, if you don't already have them- it lets you stream to the AVR in a way that's very similar to AirPlay and you wouldn't need to connect a cable or buy anything.

I have a Harmon Kardon AVR 144

 

[highfigh]

I have a Harmon Kardon AVR 144

I think the least expensive way to do this is with a ChromeCast Audio (as mentioned above) or one of the lower cost Roku boxes. They work with Android better than AppleTV or Airport Express, although I don't know if you can stream Pandora or Spotify from your phone because I don't have a Droid. I know the ChromeCast works with music stored in the phone and uses WiFi rather than Bluetooth.

 

[SpeakerRookie]

ok thanks guys i appreciate it