[Closed] Dumb 'hifi' question

I usually try and get all the inputs to match roughly. Is there a 'line level' output option from the tv?

You should be able to tell the difference. If you can’t then arguably there is none.

However, I would use either line-out from the TV, or if using the headphone output I would raise that to about 90% of full output. This supplies a signal to the amp closer to that of a ‘line source’ like a CD player. This means that the amp is amplifying a bigger signal relative to any electrical noise.

With low output from your TV you are making the amplifier increase its ‘gain’ and introducing more noise.

Similarly on a sonos setup you can adjust volume either from the app or at the speaker, does it make any difference which?

Sonos- it's all the same.
Except for the sonos thing that links to a separates amp. There you can select the equivalent of 'line level' so the input to the amp is the same as a cd player or tuner.

Does it make any difference to the sound quality?

You're the one listening, try it and find out?

When you say it's "connected by aux cables" can you be more specific? Does it actually say "aux out" on the TV and "aux in" on the stereo? I have a suspicion that it doesn't.

I have a Denon DM-41 with a very similar setup. I have the TV connected via the optical out cable to the Denon. Volumes between the TV and music via CD or Bluetooth are very similar, but I have not had to change the TV output volume. Indeed the tv volume is set at zero so I don’t get a very disturbing echo from the TV speakers. If you are using the aux in rather than optical I would adjust the TV output as you have yourself suggested.

To answer your “does it affect the sound quality” question, to avoid amplifying a weak signal you should output the source at 100% and use the amplifier to reach the desired volume.

At least that’s what my amateur sound engineer head tells me  a professional will come along shortly to tell me why I’m wrong

^ Yeah, treat a source variable output as a line level output and whack it up to 100%, there are exceptions when you may need to limit the source output as a poorly designed source amplifier circuit can be overdriven if used at 100% introducing distortion into the signal path, for this scenario it’s usually beneficial to use around 80% of controlled output which should be well within signal to noise ratios.

It’s always best practice to use a dedicated line level out on the source as that will be steady state amplified.

I’ve got an OK Denon mini hifi in the lounge connected to an OK pair of Mission bookshelf speakers.

We've got similar (UD-M31) after 20 years of ownership the best thing I ever did with it was connect a modest subwoofer to the sub outlet. Makes the music come alive. 🎶🎶

You need some gold plated, oxygen free directional cables.

Enjoy.

Agree with the posters above, turn volume on TV to 80-90% and turn down the hifi volume.

Should get a better sound out of it or at least it will protect the Denon amplifier and speakers. Amplifiers shouldn't really be used at 100% they can damage the speakers and them selves if pushed too hard.

Ideally there should be an line-out connection on your TV which you should use. Or maybe you can configure the currently connection you are using as line out. There will be a small increase in sound quality but the main reason is using the electronics as they were intended and giving everything an easier life.

Even better if you have an digital optical out from your TV and an optical input to the Denon, buy an optical cable an use that instead. I think it will only give marginal gains over a line out signal and you might not be bothered but cables can be cheap from Amazon so bot much outlay if yo want to give it a go.