Connections & formats
RCA
Also called phono connector, RCA cable, cinch
RCA is the round, single-pin analog connector used in pairs, one red and one white, to carry a stereo line-level signal between hi-fi components. It is unbalanced, cheap and everywhere, and the same plug carries a coaxial digital signal.
RCA used it inside its radio-phonograph consoles before it spread to all home audio, and the plug has a center pin for the signal and an outer ring for ground. Nearly every DAC, Preamp, Amplifier and turntable has RCA sockets.
Because the connection is single-ended, long runs can pick up hum, which is why professional and some high-end gear uses XLR instead. For the short cables in most home systems the difference is academic. A single RCA plug on an orange or black socket is usually a coaxial S/PDIF digital connection, which needs a 75 Ω cable to be done properly.
Where you’ll see this on tonistry.
- RCA is one of the connection types members pick when they draw a signal chain.