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Sonos Port - noise/distortion on SPDIF output

  • October 25, 2024
  • 10 replies
  • 279 views
G

I’m experiencing weird crackling noise and distortion on a new Port through SPDIF output (streaming from Spotify).

It sounds like digital clipping, and is most noticeable on low volume parts of songs.

its not always there, sometimes it starts playing without it, but it always appears after a short while (or maybe I start noticing it after a while).

output is set to “fixed” in the app, like recommended for use with external DACs, but in other modes the noise is also present.

Sound from analog output is fine, but I bought Port to use with my own DAC, and don’t want to use analog output.

I’ve never experienced anything like that with any other digital components.

I tried connecting to 2 different DACs and also tried to pass Port’s spdif signal through a reclocker and also through spdif to toslink optical converter. Did not help. (All devices are known to work fine with other sources)

Has anyone experienced anything like that? Do you think my unit is broken/DOA?

any advise would be appreciated.

thanks!
 

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10 replies

I
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  • Ian_S
  • Prodigy III
  • October 25, 2024

I have a Port connected by SPDIF to an external DAC and have no such issues … 

I suspect you’ll need to get in touch with Sonos Support to see if it is indeed faulty. 

G
  • galloween
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • October 25, 2024

update:

after more extensive testing, I established that noise/distortion happens when playing from Spotify (both Spotify app and from Sonos app) and AirPlay (different apps from different devices).

When playing from Tidal and Deezer (both from Sonos app), sound is fine… 

I have max quality subscription in both Tidal and Deezer, so maybe its some weird decoding issue?...

MoPac
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  • MoPac
  • Headliner II
  • October 25, 2024

 Testing now with a Port connected to KEF LS 50 WII speakers.  Using coax digital (RCA not optical).  Volume is set at 97 with KEF controlling the volume.  Playing Spotify from the Sonos 80.x app.  Sounds OK to me.

 What brand cable are you using?

G
  • galloween
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • October 25, 2024

AudioQuest. I tried 3 different cables with same result :(

 

The fact that it happens only with Spotify and AirPlay, but not other services probably means we can eliminate the cables and other devices. Something is wrong with the Port. I guess i have a faulty device...

G
  • galloween
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • October 25, 2024

this crackling noise is not always obvious. most evident on quiet parts of tracks.

i was testing with bowie’s Space Oddity :)

MoPac
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  • MoPac
  • Headliner II
  • October 25, 2024

 Is the digital cable anywhere near AC cables or other sources of noise?

G
  • galloween
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • October 27, 2024

 Is the digital cable anywhere near AC cables or other sources of noise?

well, not exactly near.

i think cable is fine. if there was something wrong with the connection, the noise would be present when streaming from any service,

but the peculiarity here is the fact that it’s only noisy when streaming from Spotify or AirPlay. Tidal and Deezer are fine (i tested multiple times back-and-forth on same tracks etc)

MoPac
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  • MoPac
  • Headliner II
  • October 27, 2024

 Is it noisy when using the Spotify app integrated into the Sonos app?

G
  • galloween
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • October 27, 2024

 

 Is it noisy when using the Spotify app integrated into the Sonos app?

both in sonos app and when selecting Port in Spotify app 

 

spent some time with support just now - they’ve never encountered such issue before and could not offer a solution :(

G
  • galloween
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • October 27, 2024

also tested port’s line-in (from turntable) - it sounds fine through port’s spdif.

so its only Spotify (both apps) and AirPlay (from any app, any device) that have issues on spdif (analog out is fine all the time)...

its the weirdest issue ever.

 

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