Varsity App

I’d drop/decommission the BRIDGE completely, and connect your system directly to the WiFi. What other Sonos devices do you own?

Profile is empty but past posts mention a Connect.

Note: filling out your profile saves having to answer these type questions every time.

I mistakenly said “Bridge”.  I should have said that I have 3 Sonos Connects (all Gen 1).

I bought Connect when Sonos, as a company, was brand new (I think it was 2013) when very few people had even heard of Sonos (at that time).  I use the Sonos app on my Macbook Pro, iPhone, and iPad to connect to my Apple iTunes (I know, I am dating myself but life had a number of challenges for me for years and all that is behind me, and I am playing catch up on things that I missed out), Most of what I listen to are the Sonos stations, my Oppo disc player, Spotify, Tune-in, etc.

Two of the Connects are upstairs.  Connect “#1” is connected play music throughout the house to my whole house amp and garage.  Connect “#2” is used as a Line-in connection to my Oppo Digital SACD / DVD / CD / Blu-Ray player (when Oppo Digital was new as a company as well) and the Oppo player was physically too far away to be connected to Connect #1.

Connect #3 is downstairs as I am using that as a line-in connection as well for convenience.  I do have a strong / fast wi-fi but I am not sure how to connect Sonos to wi-fi (and, normally, I am the guy to do all that).  As such, I probably have the wrong Sonos equipment to make life easier.  Any guidance you (and/or anyone) is willing to share would be appreciated.  It sounds like my Sonos equipment is too ancient to be any good at this point . . . .

As has been said the Bridge is obsolete. However, not knowing your level of comfort to remove it...as the saying goes “if it ain’t broke; don’t fix it”.😂

To your question...it may be possible to get the Varsity App to play through your Sonos speakers:

1. The Varsity App has to be able to send the Audio over Bluetooth via your phone
2. You’ll need to purchase a Sonos Move (Gen1) which has Bluetooth connectivity. I saw a used Move (Gen1) on eBay for $169
3. Assuming #1 and #2 above are doable once the audio is playing through the Move you can group in other Sonos speakers.

Thanks - I will take a look at that as it might be my best low cost solution.  (Yes you are right, I feel like if it ‘ain’t broke ...’)

Any spare line level inputs on the Connects? Maybe a Bluetooth receiver, only 30 foot range though.

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Bluetooth-Receiver-Wireless-Streaming/dp/B0DSPXCBNX/ref=sr_1_4

​@jerbear1 

I didn’t see your correction to post before I sent my recommendation. However, something is still missing. Connects are only used to

• Bring Sonos (streaming) into a 3rd party Amp with wired speakers
• Send source audio (i.e. turntable, CD player or Radio) connected to a 3rd party Amp to other Sonos. 

The question remains do you have other Sonos speakers? Not saying that the Move solution wouldn’t work. It will be a bit more cumbersome having to turn on an Amp before Grouping in the Connect.

Your least expensive option would be to use a Bluetooth receiver as an input to a CONNECT. Your phone would likely be a bad choice as the transmitter because you may carry it out of Bluetooth range. One of the other iDevices would be a better transmitter choice because it is less likely to move.

Or, you could probably connect an analog output from any of your not so portable devices to a CONNECT.

Thank you everyone for your responses.  Let me answer the questions that were posed:

My original intent (in 2013) and mostly remains to this day, was to play to play my vast collections of CDs that were loaded into Apple’s iTunes and to stream online music while working in the house and in the garage (including listening to college football and baseball) and some podcasts.  The reason for this ancient / archaic thinking is because when I want to thoroughly enjoy music and I need phenomenal sound, I use my stereo components to play directly to my Klipsch Cornwall speakers.

Other Sonos products that I have: just the 3 Connects.  At one time, I did have a Sonos Bridge but I have not been able to find it.  I know that I did not get rid of it so I am going through my boxes of cables, PC & Mac parts, and other hardware.  No, I do not have any Sonos speakers (nor soundbar) as I have my house wired for in-ceiling and in-wall speakers.  I did not realize that my profile lacked my Sonos component listings, so I did update that yesterday, and should now be viewable.

My “main” Sonos Connect, is plugged directly into an AudioSource amp to provide sound throughout the house and garage.  I do like the suggestions of the Sonos Move (Gen 1) and Bluetooth receiver.  Both of those might check the “low cost solution” box for me.  I really did not want to drop $500 on a Sonos Port.  Plus, I figured there had to be a low cost option for me especially as most of my Sonos listening is on the weekends when I am at home.  I will be looking into the suggestions you all provided over the next few days and I will re-post when I find a solution just so that you can all know how this story ends ...

I miss my big amp and LaScallas but there was no room for them.

Check your router's DHCP Settings page, if the Bridge is hidden away but powered up it will show up there. If it isn't then finding it can be a lower priority.

I’d avoid the BRIDGE completely at this point, it’s too susceptible to errors. If it isn’t showing up in your ‘about my Sonos system’ in your controller, you’re fine. 

​@jerbear1 

My apologies. It seems that the original Move will not allow Bluetooth sharing. Therefore I’m not sure what other low cost option there might be.

Thanks for letting me know.  I did order a Bluetooth receiver and it should arrive in a couple of days.  I will try it out and see if it works. Otherwise, I might have to admit defeat, bite the bullet, and actually pay Sonos for a more up-to-date component.