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thedonva
Contributor I
February 2, 2021
Answered

Bought a Sonos Amp, have no real practical use for it, need to sell it I think

  • February 2, 2021
  • 28 replies
  • 650 views

I bought a Sonos Amp, really should’ve bought a Port for what my intended setup.  I am not even sure what I can use the Amp for since there is no audio out.  Probably going to just have to sell it.  Right now I have a connect for my in celling speakers, I guess I could use the amp for a couple of those.

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Best answer by buzz

Let’s be careful about definitions. “Amp” is a SONOS product capable of driving traditional passive speakers and “amp” is slang for a generic “amplifier” that is also capable of driving traditional passive speakers. A stereo or A/V receiver contains an amplifier. “CONNECT” or “PORT” are SONOS products that function similarly to a traditional cassette deck. PORT or CONNECT could be used as an input source to the Aton system, traditional amplifier or receiver.

I’ll agree with thedonva that the SONOS Amp has no function unless a seventh zone is needed. Even then CONNECT or PORT would be required for input to the Aton.

In any case, you would want to use a y-connection to send CONNECT’s audio to the receiver. This would allow SONOS audio to play through the receiver and Aton.

 

28 replies

John B
February 2, 2021

Are the ceiling speakers active speakers? If so then a Connect is what you need.. if they are passive then you need the Amp.

    thedonvaAuthor
    Contributor I
    February 2, 2021

    My current setup - Audio from stereo (zone 2) to Connect (in), Digital from Connect (out) to Aton Multi room device to 6 zones.  The Connect handles all of them and I think the speakers are passive but I’m not sure...

    John B
    February 3, 2021

    You hadn't mentioned the amplifier 

    thedonvaAuthor
    Contributor I
    February 3, 2021

    You lost me John B, I mentioned the Amp in my original post.  

    Kumar
    February 3, 2021

    He means that a Connect does not have the power needed to run passive speakers, hence there has to an amp between the two. What kind of amp?

    Edit: If the Aton has a built in multi zone amp that is wired to the passive speakers, then the Connect/Port is what you need - but why do you even need that in the first place? Why not stereo direct to Aton?

    And if the Connect does have a purpose, why change it if it is working?

    buzz
    buzzAnswer
    Grand Maestro
    February 3, 2021

    Let’s be careful about definitions. “Amp” is a SONOS product capable of driving traditional passive speakers and “amp” is slang for a generic “amplifier” that is also capable of driving traditional passive speakers. A stereo or A/V receiver contains an amplifier. “CONNECT” or “PORT” are SONOS products that function similarly to a traditional cassette deck. PORT or CONNECT could be used as an input source to the Aton system, traditional amplifier or receiver.

    I’ll agree with thedonva that the SONOS Amp has no function unless a seventh zone is needed. Even then CONNECT or PORT would be required for input to the Aton.

    In any case, you would want to use a y-connection to send CONNECT’s audio to the receiver. This would allow SONOS audio to play through the receiver and Aton.

     

    thedonvaAuthor
    Contributor I
    February 3, 2021

    Buzz - nailed it! Yes, I am using the connect now, works great but it is a little underpowered.  Just wish the Sonos Amp had an audio out interface.  I listed the Amp on Facebook Marketplace to see if I can get any money for it.  I might try wiring it for one of my zones but the Aton interface is Cat 5 so I don’t think I have a way to access the speaker wires if that makes sense.  Maybe I can find another creative use for the Amp...

    thedonvaAuthor
    Contributor I
    February 3, 2021

    Kumar - I do agree, it actually works fine for the most part.  I was going to upgrade to the Port and give the connect to a friend.  And I thought about just using the receiver to the Aton but then I can’t access the receiver from the Sonos app.  Airplay would work but I like controlling everything through the Sonos App.  Thanks!

    Kumar
    February 4, 2021

     Yes, I am using the connect now, works great but it is a little underpowered.  

    The Port would be just as underpowered - these are not amplifiers. 

    For both Connect and Port, the answer to get more sound levels is by configuring their Line In settings to as a high a level as it takes to get the sound levels you need.

    If your Connect is downstream of the receiver, in what way are you able to access the receiver via the Sonos app? What is your music source?

    buzz
    buzz
    Grand Maestro
    February 4, 2021

    thedonva,

    Why are you claiming that CONNECT is “a little underpowered”? Connect is known as a “line level” device that is appropriate as an input to another device, which could be your Aton, a receiver, 3rd party power amplifier, or similar. CONNECT cannot drive speakers. We don’t associate “power” with a device such as CONNECT.

    Best practice for your system would be to set CONNECT’s Line-Out to Fixed and set individual room Volume through the Aton zones. One issue that you might have is that CONNECT’s output is different from other inputs, requiring an Aton Volume adjustment when switching to and from other sources. This can be annoying for the operator. If this is your situation, Aton may provide a means to adjust the relative levels between sources. I have no experience with Aton.

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