Skip to main content
Forkys de la Suisse
Avid Contributor II
February 15, 2020
Answered

Connect wired to top end speakers. Care to share your experience?

  • February 15, 2020
  • 31 replies
  • 1004 views

Anyone care to share his/her experience? Sound quality, possible delays, anything worth while mentioning? Replacing my Arcam amplifier with the Connect should preferably not result in material, notable loss of sound quality. Because that will trigger disappointment and frustration.  
 

Got Dynaudio Audience 72 S speakers, following specs:


System type2-wayEnclosure typeBass reflexFrequency response ± 3dB28 - 26000 HzNominal impedance4 OhmAmplifier Requirements10 - 250 WSensitivity (2.83V/1m)86 dBTweeter28mm (1") soft domeWoofer2x17cm (2x6.5") MSP coneDimensions (H x W x D)959x204x256 mm / 37.7x8x10"Weight16.5 kg / 21 lbs

    This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.
    Best answer by Stanley_4

    Only reason I can see for going with a Port and amplifier combo would be to get more power than the Sonos Amp. By more power I’m thinking roughly 4X to make much of an audible difference.

    The less efficient dB rating your speakers have the more the X in power needs to change to provide the same sound improvement.

    Testing at home is a really random as so many factors are involved a true test is near to impossible and you just end up deciding the stuff you like best sounds best anyway.

    31 replies

    Show previous replies
    buzz
    buzz
    Grand Maestro
    February 16, 2020

    FMJ A22 does not have a digital input.

    Forkys de la SuisseAuthor
    Avid Contributor II
    February 16, 2020

    FMJ A22 does not have a digital input.

    Meaning? I guess without it the Port doesn’t add a lot? 

    John B
    February 16, 2020

    No the opposite. If the amp had a DAC then ypu might as well have bought a second hand Connect rather than a Port,  provided it wasn't an older 'legacy' model. Either device would have then been just passing through a digital stream.

    Now it's a question of whether you believe the claims that the Port has a higher quality DAC and that you would hear any difference. Of course there are other advantages to buying a Port, including greater expected longevity.

    Forkys de la SuisseAuthor
    Avid Contributor II
    February 16, 2020

    As I’m a noob in these matters, how would  the analog RCA input potentially notably disturb the listening experience I, compared to just playing a CD on my Naim connected to the Arcam amplifier? I mean when streaming Spotify via the Port to my Arcam, would the risk of being upset with the sound be material? I know, sound experience is very personal but I’d like to get a feel for the negatives of RCA compared to Digital processing. Thx.

    buzz
    buzz
    Grand Maestro
    February 17, 2020

    Do you have the means to listen to Spotify now? If so, do you have an opinion about the relative audio quality of Spotify and a CD of the same track?

    Stanley_4
    Stanley_4
    Grand Maestro
    February 17, 2020

    In my experience RCA usually works just fine but on a bad day you can end up with grounding issues and induced hum or get hum from longer or poorly shielded cables.

    I couldn’t hear any difference in the outputs of my ZP, RCA or Optical but went with optical just to avoid potential issues.

    Kumar
    February 17, 2020

    In my experience RCA usually works just fine but on a bad day you can end up with grounding issues and induced hum or get hum from longer or poorly shielded cables.

    I couldn’t hear any difference in the outputs of my ZP, RCA or Optical but went with optical just to avoid potential issues.

    Digressing for my education - where optical is concerned what are the pitfalls if any to be avoided with respect to length/poor shielding( or equivalent), cable layout and the like?

    buzz
    buzz
    Grand Maestro
    February 17, 2020

    Kumar,

    “Grounding” issues in wire cables are a result of stray current or magnetic fields. Since there is no wire in the optical cables, grounding issues are physically impossible. Optical cables do not interact with each other or nearby wires. There is a minimum bending radius to consider for the optical cables. TOSLINK (audio optical cables) are nominally limited to 10 meters in length. I’ve run 45 foot cables without any issues. Typically, TOSLINK cables are not very physically robust and the jacks are easily damaged.

    Like Stanley_4, I prefer to use optical whenever practical.

      Stanley_4
      Stanley_4
      Grand Maestro
      February 17, 2020

      Yep, the optical cables are not going to be impacted by any electrical issue.

      Decent quality ones, that is with a reasonable sized fiber and properly sized (only really matters on long runs, not at a meter) and molded ends will work as well as $100 ones. Pretty much pick one that you like the ends on, Amazon’s Basics works for me.

      The delicate issue isn’t just the cables, the jacks aren’t very rugged either. It is best to unplug them before moving stuff around to prevent breakage. A broke cable is $5 or so, a broke jack can leave you with no optical input and no repair options.

      The optical cables are pretty sturdy, kinking them or scratching up the ends should be avoided. Most come with end caps that should be used if storing the cable, if just moving stuff around a bit of care will be enough to keep from having problems.

      Forkys de la SuisseAuthor
      Avid Contributor II
      February 17, 2020

      There are people that say exactly the same thing about the Port not being a serious quality HiFi tool and they are just as wrong/prejudiced as you are. Modern tech has equalised the field for audio sound quality to a close to miraculous degree. Plus, when manufacturing scales are large, costs of components drops dramatically. Then another reason is pricing policy - Sonos could easily sell the Port for a lot less, but will not, because where would they be if everyone used cheap Ports with Dynaudios and others - why then buy the 5 units?

      The only reason that would justify a Port over a Dot would be for features - in your instance, if you want music play seamless with another Sonos speaker, it has to be a Port.

      Am I wrong and prejudiced? How? No idea what you are talking about. The thing making Sonos get away with the high price setting is simple economics: a lack of competition in this market segment. 

      Show more replies
      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement