Line-Level Audio Interconnects

How Do I ... Run Line-Level Audio Through Coax?

There's the catch, however. The kind of analog audio used in home audio is unbalanced audio. Unbalanced signals are much more susceptible to interference and ground loops than balanced signals. Unfortunately, homes are full of interference and grounding problems. Even more unfortunately, the most common noise and ground loop frequency is 60 Hz, which is audible!.

Therefore, we tell our customers that line-level audio can be carried over coax, but -- depending on factors outside of your control -- you may have unacceptable levels of 60 cycle hum. If you do install one or more coaxial cables for use with line-level audio, pull a cat5 cable along with the coax just in case you have unacceptable hum and need to use baluns and the cat5 cable. (See below.)

RG6 dual shield or quad shield is most commonly used. If you are pulling stereo, you will need two coaxial cables.

The easiest and cheapest connector to put on the end of RG6 coaxial cable is the "F" connector. Our most popular combination of coax termination tools and materials is:

• Universal compression tool.
• Coax stripper.
• Compression connectors.

"But my line-level audio signal is an RCA (or BNC) connector" you say? No problem. Simple adaptors convert the F connector to either RCA or BNC.

Also, with RG6 and F connectors, you can use standard quickport wallplates to bring the audio signals in and our of walls, if desired.

For line-level audio and composite video over coax, click here.