Reddit mentions of Hosa CMR-210 3.5 mm TRS to Dual RCA Stereo Breakout Cable, 10 Feet

Those are passive speakers requiring separate amplification, which the Mac doesn't provide.

You could use something like the SMSL SA-50. (I need to make a macro for that sentence.):

https://smile.amazon.com/SMSL-50Wx2-TDA7492-Amplifier-Adapter/dp/B00F0H8TOC/

A cable like this from the Mac to the amp:

https://smile.amazon.com/Hosa-CMR-206-Stereo-Breakout-Cable/dp/B000068O3B

Speaker wire from the amp to the speakers:

https://smile.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-16-Gauge-Speaker-Wire-Feet/dp/B006LW0W5Y

Yes, you can connect the phone to the rear of the PMA-500AE amplifier using an RCA to 3.5mm TRS adapter cable like this one.

You connect your phone to either of the CD, Tuner, DVD/AUX connections, and switch the amp to the correct input on the front (You can also use either of the ones marked "PB"). The one labelled "Phono" is incompatible, as it's for turntables.

Probably. Are the speakers hooked up to that right now? If your TV has a headphone/line out jack, you could probably use something like this to connect it to the receiver.

You can use this kind of cable to connect anything with a 3.5mm output to it.

To simply play files, most laptop or iPod, iPhone or whatever device is going to sound fine. Just buy from quality sources like the iTunes shop and you'll be fine.

If you were running any sort of DJ software, then a USB audio interface might be useful to give you higher level outputs and a dedicated headphone monitor connection. My recommendation if you go down that path is the NI Traktor Audio 2.

http://www.amazon.com/Native-Instruments-Traktor-Audio-Interface/dp/B00FYQFPFU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404302468&sr=8-1&keywords=Traktor+audio+2

To help with your terminology, you'll most likely be plugging into a house mixer or amplifier input, and thus you'll most likely want a 3.5mm TRS to Dual RCA Cable, like this.

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-Cable-CMR210-Stereo-Adapter/dp/B000068O3B/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1404302305&sr=8-4&keywords=3.5mm+to+dual+RCA

...but do check what the inputs you'll be connecting to to confirm exactly what cable you'll need.

You can use an optical tos cable connected to an optical to RCA adapter then to an RCA to 1/8th cable and a 1/8th coupler if necessary. I do exactly this in my bedroom. Works great and the sound still comes from the tv too which is great too.

That was very informative, thank you for that.

Now I do want to confirm, my TV only has AUX and Optical output, so for the Fluance I would also need to get an AUX to RCA adapter right?

And lastly, what is the difference in audio quality difference when comparing optical vs aux-to-rca?

I really appreciate you answering my questions.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068O3B/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/5CKbXDuTQMI/maxresdefault.jpg

Yes my PC motherboard does have sub out and it's connected via an RCA cable like this one

Many pro/musician cables have the ability to pull apart all the way down to the connectors.

https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP-159-Stereo-Breakout-Cable/dp/B005HGM1D6/

You can find ones like this TRS (1/4" Phono) or with dual RCA or even XLR - but I prefer TRS for longevity. Less chance of pulling out or bending/strain the connectors behind the speakers. (You can use those balanced inputs with an unbalanced signal from your stuff).

Ideally, you should get a balanced pre-amp (like a pro I/O) - then use balanced TRS or XLR to avoid line interference.


EDIT:
here's the RCA:

https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMR-210-Stereo-Breakout-Cable/dp/B000068O3B/

The headphone jack of your mixer is an output. Never plug anything except headphones in there.

You need to connect the volca sample to the mixer inputs, using a stereo 1/8th to RCA cable like this:http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-Cable-CMR210-Stereo-Adapter/dp/B000068O3B

You can also get this cable at radio shack if you still have one nearby, also any computer store will have them also.

Hmm... weird I see you fixed it, what was the fix?

For your subpac... the scarlett 2i4 has two output ports for your output 1 & 2. You can hook one of them to your subpac and the other to your monitors. You might need a "Y" RCA -> 1/8" cable like this one: http://smile.amazon.com/Hosa-Cable-CMR210-Stereo-Adapter/dp/B000068O3B/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427151468&sr=8-1&keywords=rca+to+1%2F8

Complete noob here. On my desktop, I've had a logitech x540 5.1 system for around 9 years now. I'm looking to do an upgrade on a budget and am considering an SMSL SA50 AMP with Micca MB42X speakers. My reasoning is that with a decent amp like this one, I could always upgrade speakers in the future. My first question, which may be dumb, is will I notice a much of a difference over my previous setup? I never run my Logitech speakers at more than 50% volume. Secondly, looking at the amp online, I see where I can connect my speakers with speaker wire, but I am unsure of how I would connect the input to my desktop and which cables to use. Finally, what are your thoughts on my plan as a budget choice? Thank you for taking the time to read this! :)

Edit: will use this cable: https://smile.amazon.com/Hosa-CMR-206-Stereo-Breakout-Cable/dp/B000068O3Ba

Not sure what the problem would be unless the RCA to 1/8" cord is not pushed into the speakers all the way, or is faulty. Sounds like you have it hooked up right. You should be using a Stereo RCA to 1/8" cord (like this one) plugged into the RCA output of the S2. In this case you probably want the booth switch set to "Main" and the level knob somewhere between half and full. Also go through the setup wizard to make sure the S2 is configured properly.

Awesome! :D So it comes with a cable, is it different than the Hosa CMR-210? Would you recommend using one over the other? Thank you so much!

Sure will. It's no different than using a preamp with discrete outputs.
You will want to use something like this: 1/8" to RCA discrete L/R

your TV is able to control the volume of the Analog audio outputs with its remote.

see page 31 in your manual on setting analog audio out to Variable:

http://cdn.vizio.com/documents/m60c3/um-m60c3.pdf


you can get a set of powered monitors such as the Vanatoo Transparent One's

http://www.amazon.com/Vanatoo-Transparent-One-Powered-Speakers/dp/B0080K2KUK

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-Cable-CMR210-Stereo-Adapter/dp/B000068O3B/

http://www.vanatoo.com/support/connect-to-a-tv-directly#.VuRLeBiSNo4

and add in a subwoofer of choice IF you want to. you have plenty of budget left, if you choose to use it.

Look at the proposed systems above both are small enough to fit on a desktop and are fairly cheap as well.

to quote: "

In an effort to cut down on some of the repetitive questions, here are the absolutely cheapest systems we are willing to recommend.

• $110: Micca PB42X
  
• $250: JBL 305P MkII
  
  Accessories
  
  For the JBL-based setup, here are some accessories if you want to connect the speakers directly to a computer without an external DAC:
  
  
• 3.5mm TRS to 6.3mm TS cable - use this if you're connecting the LSR305 directly to a computer
  
• JBL Active Speaker Starter Set - includes the Nano Patch+ volume controller, two isolation pads and TRS to XLR cable. Use this if you want a physical volume controller to go along with the JBL speakers.
  
  For the Micca setups, you'll need this to connect directly to a computer:
  
  
• 3.5mm TRS to RCA - use this for connecting (either of) the Micca alternatives directly to a computer.
  
  If you're going for the Micca MB42X + SMSL solution, you'll also need speaker wire:
  
  
• AmazonBasics 16 AWG speaker wire "