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Avid Contributor III
Apr 9, 2026 7:35 PM UTC
Answered

Optical Cable Connection From Amp 2.1 to my Computer to make Computer an audio source

I want to use audio, radio stream, all audio things on my Thinkpad laptop as an audio source for my 2.1 amp system…. (from usb-c out on computer to optical in on sonos)….is this possible? If so how please?

Thanks you…!!!!…..Bill Lutz

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Jamie A
Jamie AAnswer
Sonos Staff
Apr 13, 2026 7:51 AM UTC

Closing as a duplicate of the following thread: 

 

31 replies

jgatie
Apr 10, 2026 1:00 PM UTC

OK...Great info..thanks…

How about 3.5 headphone jack out from my lenovo to rca left and right to amp phono inputs via splitter?

Thanks everyone..!!

 

The bottom line is, unless we are talking audio streaming only that has no need to be synched with the screen, Sonos’ analog Line-In is not a good bet because all real time audio must be buffered for transmission to other rooms.  Video specific units like the soundbars and Amps, which connect to a TV via HDMI-ARC, have a special connection to subs and surrounds that has a much smaller buffer, but it is limited to transmission in a single room.  If you attempt to send TV sound to other rooms, even that is delayed due to the buffer inserted for multi-room streaming.  

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wirlAuthor
Avid Contributor III
Apr 10, 2026 2:25 PM UTC

Thanks jgatie..!….yes this will be audio only...I am a musician and have bands studio recordings as files on my computer and I want to play them….basically only an audio source is needed….and my bad for stating the incorrect optic in/out!

I believe that the best signal available will be 3.5 headphone out on lenovo to phono in (l and r) on sonos amp...adjustments and alignment I assume can be made on the app?

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buzz
Grand Maestro
Apr 10, 2026 2:54 PM UTC

Use a 3.5mm stereo y-cable,

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wirlAuthor
Avid Contributor III
Apr 10, 2026 3:01 PM UTC

Yes Thanks….any complications or directions in app set up between lenovo and amp after properly wiring (3.5mm headphone out to rca in l and r on amp)..? 

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106rallye
Apr 10, 2026 3:36 PM UTC

Could you not just point Sonos to you music library? https://support.sonos.com/en/article/add-your-music-library-to-sonos

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MoPac
Headliner III
Apr 10, 2026 4:32 PM UTC

The only advice I would give is disable all sounds from the computer.

 

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wirlAuthor
Avid Contributor III
Apr 10, 2026 4:46 PM UTC

Thanks…..anything in the sonos app?

 

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wirlAuthor
Avid Contributor III
Apr 11, 2026 6:57 PM UTC

I now have headphone out on the sonos (3.5mm stereo)….into phono inputs on back of sonos 2.1 (rca l and r)….signal shows strong on my computer…..so output is good….in sonos app on my phone in amp settings line-in says connected...source name I checked computer, source level 8 (pc), autoplay volume on 78%... what am I doing wrong please?

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wirlAuthor
Avid Contributor III
Apr 11, 2026 6:57 PM UTC

Oh...no sound out of sonos system….sorry

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Stanley_4
Grand Maestro
Apr 11, 2026 7:22 PM UTC

I now have headphone out on the sonos (3.5mm stereo)….into phono inputs on back of sonos 2.1 (rca l and r)….signal shows strong on my computer…..so output is good….in sonos app on my phone in amp settings line-in says connected...source name I checked computer, source level 8 (pc), autoplay volume on 78%... what am I doing wrong please?

What Sonos headphone outs? Do you have a Gen 1 Play 5, the only Sonos I've had with headphone output?

Still have no clue what a Sonos 2.1 is. Could you give us the actual device name? 

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