Connect - LINE-OUT low volume since update S1 app

  • 8 November 2020
  • 68 replies
  • 5000 views
L
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Hi

 

I have been a Sonos user for many years and had my existing core system in place for 9 years.  

 

Part of this system is a Connect that I use the line-out from to feed into another system.  This has always worked fine, but since the recent S1 app update, the volume of the line-out has dropped to virtually nothing.

 

It has always been set to “Fixed” and operated perfectly.

Now in the second system even with the volume in the second system set to max it is barely audible.    The only change is the App.

Ive connect a second device to the Line-OUT and this too has very low volume, so its not the secondary equipment.

 

I have to say over the years I have become more and more frustrated with the Sonos updates and the delays in the various fixes that these usually cause.  You have pushed me into the S1 sub culture now - how long is this going to resolve ?

 

The Sonos products consist of this connect, 4 connect:amps, a Play:1 and a ONE.

The external device is an old Living Control (that to be honest has been much more stable than the Sonos) and a blackstar mini amp that I performed the second test on.

 

The connect has the following details:-

Sonos OS: S1
Version: 11.2.3 (build 57381090)
Hardware Version: 1.16.5.5-2.0
Series ID: P100

 

My PC controller is v11.2.3, S1 OS, Build 57381090
my App is v 11.2.3   Build 57381090

 

 

 

 

 

68 replies

S
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Yes, sorry, I realize now I might have posted this on the incorrect thread.  There are similar threads with the same issue r/t the Port. 

N

I have exactly the same issue on my Sonos Connect - successful connection but very low volume on analog line outs. Digital outputs working perfectly.  I spent an hour on the phone with Sonos today, very helpful but they could not diagnose a fault- response was unit was faulty and will need replacement…..

…has anybody received a response from Sonos Customer Support as to possible cause??

 

 

T
Userlevel 4
Badge +5

This is a hardware failure, and is related to device age and component degradation.  I speak from experience as I have repaired a lot of devices with this problem.  My observation is that it’s not really a problem for devices that are younger than about 10 years, but it does start to happen beyond that.  It’s much more common on ZP80 devices than ZP90, and less common on Connect devices.

Some messages here assert that the problem happened after a software upgrade.  I haven’t seen any relationship at all like that...it’s strictly a hardware problem.

I was able to trace the audio path and discovered that the problem is with two capacitors (one for each of the left and right channels) that are directly after the digital-to-analog conversion (which is done by the CS4265 chip visible in the image below).  These audio signals are then filtered/amplified/etc to reach the RCA outputs.  When these capacitors degrade/fail, they either cause no signal, weak signal, or cause static in the audio.  They don’t always fail in pairs, so it is possible that one channel becomes staticky or fainter than the other.  One channel fainter than the other is harder to notice than both becoming faint, which is why people often don’t see a problem until both channels fail.  You can check your device using the app and playing with the balance control to test each speaker separately.

The fix is to replace the capacitors.  They are rated 2.2uF 35V surface mount electrolytic capacitors.  They are the two circled in the picture below.  These are quite small, and I would not advise this repair for anyone who hasn’t done this kind of work before.  However, if successfully done, the faint audio problem disappears.

There are other identical capacitors on the board.  It’s a bit surprising to me that they aren’t also degrading and causing other kinds of failure, but for whatever reason...they aren’t.

Lastly, I would mention that these capacitors usually start to fail around the same time that capacitors in the power supply start to degrade.  Bad power supply capacitors cause other issues (like the device disappearing from the system randomly, or failing to boot up entirely). There are other threads on this forum about replacing power supply capacitors and I’d recommend doing that too, if you’re fixing the audio board capacitors.

 

K

Two questions: this can afflict Connect Amp as well? And will it then show in speaker sound levels when playing streamed music as well as that from line in?

T
Userlevel 4
Badge +5

Two questions: this can afflict Connect Amp as well? And will it then show in speaker sound levels when playing streamed music as well as that from line in?

The Connect:amp doesn’t have this kind of failure.  If the connect:amp doesn’t drive speakers, it’s usually related to blown amplifier circuitry.

I don’t understand the second question.  That question seems to be unrelated to the issue this repair addresses.

K

Is not the Connect Amp essentially a Connect that has its RCA outputs internally wired to the amplification stage on the Connect Amp? And if the defect is in what should then be the same circuit after the digital to analog conversion, it should not matter where the music signal is coming from?

I ask because one of my Connect Amps seems to have had this symptom present in one of the wired passive speakers, that are also two decades old, ten year older than the Connect Amp. I first suspected the speakers, but I think I have been able to rule that out.

Right now, there is no trouble, but if it has happened in the past, and the reason was not addressed, it may reappear; so the question is for then, really.

T
Userlevel 4
Badge +5

Is not the Connect Amp essentially a Connect that has its RCA outputs internally wired to the amplification stage on the Connect Amp? And if the defect is in what should then be the same circuit after the digital to analog conversion, it should not matter where the music signal is coming from?

I ask because one of my Connect Amps seems to have had this symptom present in one of the wired passive speakers, that are also two decades old, ten year older than the Connect Amp. I first suspected the speakers, but I think I have been able to rule that out.

Right now, there is no trouble, but if it has happened in the past, and the reason was not addressed, it may reappear; so the question is for then, really.

While there is a digital signal that is converted to analog (and then amplified), the circuitry to do that has nothing in common with the Connect.

K

Fair enough! Thank you.

F

Add me with the same problem ZP80 with external amp.  tested all other components and that seems to be the one that has failed so I assume it is the capacitors as per timc995 post.  Bummer. At the moment I have to choose between music in bathroom and garage. 

D

This is a hardware failure, and is related to device age and component degradation.  I speak from experience as I have repaired a lot of devices with this problem.  My observation is that it’s not really a problem for devices that are younger than about 10 years, but it does start to happen beyond that.  It’s much more common on ZP80 devices than ZP90, and less common on Connect devices.

Some messages here assert that the problem happened after a software upgrade.  I haven’t seen any relationship at all like that...it’s strictly a hardware problem.

I was able to trace the audio path and discovered that the problem is with two capacitors (one for each of the left and right channels) that are directly after the digital-to-analog conversion (which is done by the CS4265 chip visible in the image below).  These audio signals are then filtered/amplified/etc to reach the RCA outputs.  When these capacitors degrade/fail, they either cause no signal, weak signal, or cause static in the audio.  They don’t always fail in pairs, so it is possible that one channel becomes staticky or fainter than the other.  One channel fainter than the other is harder to notice than both becoming faint, which is why people often don’t see a problem until both channels fail.  You can check your device using the app and playing with the balance control to test each speaker separately.

The fix is to replace the capacitors.  They are rated 2.2uF 35V surface mount electrolytic capacitors.  They are the two circled in the picture below.  These are quite small, and I would not advise this repair for anyone who hasn’t done this kind of work before.  However, if successfully done, the faint audio problem disappears.

There are other identical capacitors on the board.  It’s a bit surprising to me that they aren’t also degrading and causing other kinds of failure, but for whatever reason...they aren’t.

Lastly, I would mention that these capacitors usually start to fail around the same time that capacitors in the power supply start to degrade.  Bad power supply capacitors cause other issues (like the device disappearing from the system randomly, or failing to boot up entirely). There are other threads on this forum about replacing power supply capacitors and I’d recommend doing that too, if you’re fixing the audio board capacitors.

 

Just wanted to say that this is not necessarily the silver bullet for this problem. I had the exact same symptoms with my (granted younger - h/w version 1.22.1.5-2.1) Connect. Basically almost zero line-out signal (you can JUST hear a whisper if you amp it to the max) but optical still working fine. So I dismantled and carefully replaced the offending caps and…. no change…. exactly the same symptom :(

U

Same here on my ZP90 very low and distorted audio on RCA analog output. S1 11.9

I think, it's time to go for Bluesound.

D

What I ended up doing was buying a cheap optical to phono adapter (about a tenner on eBay or Amazon) which solves the problem. It's not elegant but it does the job.

L

I’m looking into the optical to phono solution as I just moved, reconnected everything after being boxed up for months, updated all the devices (haven’t done that in years), and all 3 of my Connects have this issue...barely audible at max volume regardless of the line-out level setting. They are all connected to the same receivers they were connected to before...for years. Something up and it really feels like the update to me.

Dug out my even older S1 connects out (I have 2 of them), and they are working fine! This is uncanny. They can’t not know about this.

Airgetlam

Sure sounds like the pre-amp(s) have failed, and the Sonos is only getting a phono level input, rather than a line level input. 

Bruce
controlav
Userlevel 7
Badge +23

My Connect S1 is fine, so this is likely a hardware issue (these things are OLD by networked device standards) more than a firmware issue.

Author of the leading independent Sonos app for Windows, the only Sonos app for Xbox, and a Sonos app for iOS
Stanley_4
Userlevel 7
Badge +22

Could this be a “volume limit” setting problem?

On all three it has to be something common, not individual faults.

T
Userlevel 4
Badge +5

 

 

Just wanted to say that this is not necessarily the silver bullet for this problem. I had the exact same symptoms with my (granted younger - h/w version 1.22.1.5-2.1) Connect. Basically almost zero line-out signal (you can JUST hear a whisper if you amp it to the max) but optical still working fine. So I dismantled and carefully replaced the offending caps and…. no change…. exactly the same symptom :(

Yep.  I have now come across a few like what you describe.  The cap on the right circled here is the magic bullet… Replace that and you should be good to go.  In fact, start with this cap and it should help stabilize the power supply - and the other two caps may not need to be replaced.

 

G

I solved the problem by switching to the optical output (TOSLINK).  I was helped by my amp having an optical input. 

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