From analog to digital: connectivity guide for the VULKKANO range
Connecting active speakers should be simple. And it is, once you understand what each input does. The problem is that most guides are either too technical or assume you only have a mobile phone and a streaming app.
However, the reality is more varied: perhaps you have a turntable, a television, a work laptop, and a mobile phone, all coexisting in the same living room or desk.
At VULKKANO, we design our devices so that you can connect all these sources without strange adapters or quality compromises. But to make the most of it, it's worth understanding what each connection means first. Stay and keep reading!
Connections, one by one
Although we live with them every day, each type of connection has a specific use case. Let's look at them:
HDMI ARC
A single HDMI cable that carries audio from the TV to the speakers and allows volume control with the TV remote. The cleanest solution for the living room.
Bluetooth
Wireless connection from any device: mobile, tablet, laptop. Convenient, cable-free, with some latency. Ideal for everyday use and streaming.
USB-C
Direct digital connection from a computer. Without an external converter, the signal reaches the speaker's amplifier clean. The best option for working with a laptop.
Optical (TOSLINK)
Digital signal via fiber optic. Very common in televisions, consoles, and players. Eliminates electrical interference and transmits up to 5.1 without degradation.
RCA
The quintessential analog connection. Two connectors (red and white). Used by turntables with integrated preamplifier, CD players, and vintage equipment.
Balanced TRS
Professional connection in 6.35 mm jack format. Cancels background noise over long distances. Used by sound cards, mixers, and studio equipment.
Devices and their connections
Let's see how these connections translate into each reference in the VULKKANO device range.
VULKKANO TD10: the analog starting point
The TD10 is a belt-driven turntable with an integrated and switchable phono preamplifier. This means you can connect it directly to any active speaker via RCA without the need for an external preamp, but you can also deactivate the preamp if your amplifier already has its own phono input.
Its output is exclusively analog via RCA, which is precisely what corresponds to a signal source. The TD10 needs nothing more: its job is to convert the groove's movement into a clean audio signal. What you do with that signal depends on the equipment you connect it to.
A Range: the heart of the home system
The three models in the A range share the same connection panel. The difference between them lies in the woofer size and output power.
In terms of connectivity, all three cover virtually any home source: RCA input for turntables or analog equipment, Bluetooth for mobile phones, USB-C for computers (A4 ARC MKII and A5 ARC MKII only), optical for televisions or consoles, and HDMI ARC for clean integration in the living room with a single cable. They also include a SUB OUT to add an active subwoofer if you want to boost the bass.
PRO4: the foundation of your home studio
The PRO4 is designed for those who work with audio: music production, podcasts, video editing, or simply those who don't want compromises at their desk. Its main input is balanced TRS (6.35 mm jack), which is the standard for professional sound cards and mixers. It also accepts signals via RCA and optical, making it compatible with home sources without issue.
Where it makes a difference is on the front: it incorporates a headphone output with a 3.5 mm jack, allowing monitoring without moving cables or connecting anything else. A small detail that is much appreciated in everyday use.
| Product | Bluetooth | RCA | USB-C | Optical | HDMI ARC | Bal. TRS | Headphone Jack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD10 (output) | — | ✓ | — | — | — | — | — |
| A4 MKII / A5 MKII / A6 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (A4 ARC MKII and A5 ARC MKII only) | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| PRO4 | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
What's your scenario?
If you're clear about what you want to connect, here are the direct answers:
You have a turntable and want to listen to it without complications
Connect the RCA output of the turntable to the RCA input of any speaker in the A or T range. If the turntable has an integrated phono preamp (like the TD10), activate it. If not, you will need an external preamp or a speaker with its own phono input.
You primarily use a laptop and want the best possible quality
USB-C direct to the A4 ARC MKII, A5 ARC MKII. The signal comes out digital from the computer and is converted in the speaker's DAC, without passing through the laptop's audio chain. Real quality, without background noise.
You want to integrate the speakers into the living room with the television
One HDMI ARC cable between the TV and the A4, A5 or A6 ARC. You control the volume with the TV remote, without an additional remote. If your TV doesn't have HDMI ARC, the optical input does exactly the same thing.
You produce music or work with professional audio
The PRO4 with balanced TRS input from your audio interface. No noise, no coloration, with the headphone output on the front for monitoring when you need it.
You want a complete system: turntable, streaming, and TV
TD10 via RCA to the A5 or A6 ARC, TV via HDMI ARC, mobile via Bluetooth. Everything coexists in the same speaker, changing sources when you need it. No hubs, no adapters.
Connectivity is not a secondary technical detail: it's what determines if a device truly fits into your life or causes friction every time you want to use it. At VULKKANO, we design it so you don't have to think about cables. Or at least, so you only have to think about it once.