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3rd Party Amp Integration


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I currently have a 2.1 system in my living room with a setup using a MartinLogan Forte amplifier and MartinLogan speakers.

I'm looking to add some Sonos speakers throughout the home to be able to play what is playing through those living room speakers.

Is there a way to connect standalone Sonos speakers to this 3rd party amplifier so as to integrate in the Sonos ecosystem without having to swap out my Forte amp with a new Sonos amp?
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Best answer by AjTrek1 11 March 2019, 15:30

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11 replies

Yes, the Connect is the sonos product you're looking for. It can bring Sonos streaming services to your amp, as well as allow other Sonos speakers to play whatever is on your amp...assuming your amp has input and output capabilities.
Userlevel 7
Hi SRH_82

If your amplifier has an available Line out you can use a Sonos Connect to send music from a source connected to the Amp to other Sonos speakers you might place throughout your home. If your amplifier has an available Line-In or Optical in you can use the same Sonos Connect to send music via the Sonos App to the speakers connected to your amplifier.

If you need additional advice or have more questions (as I'm sure you will :8) please post back.

Cheers!
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Thanks everyone! That seems like a fairly straightforward method to tap into Sonos speakers. I take it there isn't a 'cheaper' option available outside of purchasing a $350 Sonos Connect? 🙂
Userlevel 6
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Is this the amp you have? https://www.martinlogan.com/en/product/forte

From the manual it appears to have only one input - is this accurate? It also doesn't appear to have any line-level outputs, which defeats any way to have the stereo receive a non-Sonos source and push it to the connect.

(If this is not your amplifier, then you can disregard the above.)
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Yes, that's it. I'm just noticing that now too. So sounds like my options with this amp are limited. Thank you for pointing that out!
Userlevel 7
Thanks everyone! That seems like a fairly straightforward method to tap into Sonos speakers. I take it there isn't a 'cheaper' option available outside of purchasing a $350 Sonos Connect? :)

No there isn't.

Is this the amp you have? https://www.martinlogan.com/en/product/forte

From the manual it appears to have only one input - is this accurate? It also doesn't appear to have any line-level outputs, which defeats any way to have the stereo receive a non-Sonos source and push it to the connect.

(If this is not your amplifier, then you can disregard the above.)


Agree with airforceteacher.
Userlevel 7
If you have a source already using the line-in you could use a spliter similar to the one in the link to urilize a Sonos Connect (albeit input only) to send music from Sonos to the speakers on your amp.

https://www.amazon.com/SIENOC-Output-Switch-Switcher-Selector/dp/B01MSUBP87/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=4+analog+input+1+analog+output&qid=1552316721&s=gateway&sr=8-2
If you have a source already using the line-in you could use a spliter similar to the one in the link to urilize a Sonos Connect (albeit input only) to send music from Sonos to the speakers on your amp.

https://www.amazon.com/SIENOC-Output-Switch-Switcher-Selector/dp/B01MSUBP87/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=4+analog+input+1+analog+output&qid=1552316721&s=gateway&sr=8-2


Well, you could just input that source to the Sonos Connect, and output Connect to the input of the amp.
Userlevel 7
If you have a source already using the line-in you could use a spliter similar to the one in the link to urilize a Sonos Connect (albeit input only) to send music from Sonos to the speakers on your amp.

https://www.amazon.com/SIENOC-Output-Switch-Switcher-Selector/dp/B01MSUBP87/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=4+analog+input+1+analog+output&qid=1552316721&s=gateway&sr=8-2


Well, you could just input that source to the Sonos Connect, and output Connect to the input of the amp.


Good Call!

Good Call!


i was thinking the same thing as you at first. Tunnel vision....
Userlevel 6
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Using the Connect in between an analog source and the Forte would certainly work, aside from the 70ms delay that will incur. Unfortunately, the streaming functions on the Forte like Airplay and DTS Play-Fi won't be passed to Sonos, which I imagine are one of OP's reasons for wanting to use the Forte. Selling the Forte and replacing it with a Sonos Amp would allow Airplay, and an analog input, but not the DTS Play-Fi.