Yes. Most old stereos can stream from a phone with a small Bluetooth receiver connected to a spare input on the amplifier. The receiver picks up the signal from your phone, tablet or laptop and passes it to the amplifier like any other source, so your existing speakers do the rest. It takes a few minutes, and nothing about the old system has to change.
How does a Bluetooth receiver work with an old amplifier?
A Bluetooth receiver is a small box that pairs with your phone and turns the wireless signal into an ordinary audio signal. To the amplifier, it looks just like a CD player or a tuner. You choose that input on the amplifier, play something on your phone, and it comes out of your speakers.
This works because nearly every stereo amplifier and receiver, however old, has line-level inputs. They may be labelled AUX, CD, TUNER, TAPE or LINE, and on older equipment they are usually pairs of RCA connections on the back panel. One of them is all you need.
Which input should you use?
Use any spare line-level input. AUX and CD are the usual choices, and a TAPE input works if you no longer use a cassette deck.
Avoid the PHONO input. It is built for the very weak signal from a turntable cartridge and adds heavy bass boost to correct for how records are cut. A Bluetooth receiver connected there will usually sound distorted and boomy. If the amplifier has only a phono input free, use a tape loop or another line input instead.
If the receiver has a 3.5 mm output and the amplifier has RCA inputs, a simple 3.5 mm to RCA cable connects the two. Some receivers also have an optical output, which only helps if your amplifier has a digital input, which most older ones do not.
What should you look for in a Bluetooth receiver?
Codec support. Every receiver handles the basic Bluetooth codec. Some support higher quality codecs too, which helps only if your phone uses the same one.
Outputs that match your amplifier. RCA outputs are the simplest for older equipment.
Range and placement. Put the receiver where it is not hidden behind metal equipment, which can weaken the signal.
Easy reconnection. A receiver that rejoins your phone quickly saves a lot of daily fuss.
Volume set sensibly. Turn the amplifier down before you first switch to the new input, then raise it gradually.
Is a Wi-Fi streamer better than Bluetooth?
It depends on what you want. Bluetooth is simple and works with almost any phone, but it has to compress the music, and the connection depends on your phone staying nearby.
A Wi-Fi streamer connects to your home network instead. It can play streaming services directly, keeps going when you leave the room with your phone, and usually offers better sound quality and features such as grouping rooms together. It costs more and needs an app to set up. Our guide to whether wireless home speaker systems need Wi-Fi explains the difference between the two in more detail.
Should you keep your old speakers or replace the system?
If your amplifier and speakers still sound good, keep them. A good pair of passive speakers can last decades, and a Bluetooth receiver gives them a new job for very little money.
Replacing the system makes more sense when the amplifier is tired, faulty or simply too big for the room, or when you want to free up space. A powered speaker pair has the amplifier built in, so it takes the place of both the old amplifier and the old speakers. Our guide to powered vs passive speakers sets out the trade-offs.
What about a wireless stereo pair?
A pair of uStream Three, uStream Two, uStream One or uStream Cube speakers has Bluetooth built in, so your phone connects straight to the speakers. The two speakers pair with each other automatically, with no app and no Wi-Fi. The uStream Two also has two RCA inputs, all on the left speaker, so older sources such as a CD player still have a home. Every uStream speaker also works with a WiiM streamer, which is sold separately.
If you are thinking about a TV too, our guide to connecting speakers to a TV over HDMI explains that side.
Frequently asked questions
Can I add Bluetooth to my old stereo amplifier?
Yes. Connect a Bluetooth receiver to a spare line-level input such as AUX, CD or TAPE, select that input and pair your phone with the receiver.
Can I connect a Bluetooth receiver to the phono input?
It is best not to. The phono input expects a much weaker signal and adds strong bass correction, so the sound will be distorted and boomy.
Does a Bluetooth receiver reduce sound quality?
Bluetooth compresses the music, so there is some loss. On most systems it still sounds very good, and a receiver with higher quality codecs can help if your phone supports them.
How do I make old speakers wireless?
Passive speakers need an amplifier, so the usual route is a Bluetooth receiver or Wi-Fi streamer feeding the amplifier. The speaker wire from amplifier to speakers stays.
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