I am planning to add a phono to my sound system setup. I currently have a port connected (Digital Out) to an external Analog-to-Digital Converter which then runs to my stereo preamp, then amplifiers, then speakers (of course). In this way, I am avoiding the Port A-to-D, and using my supposedly better fidelity off-board converter. If I were to connect a phono to the port, I assume I would connect to the line in. I have a few questions: I assume the RCAs labeled “Out” on the port are analog outputs? Do I connect the phono pre-amp before the “In” RCAs, or after the “Out” RCAs? I read before the “In” is correct, but does it matter? Would the phono signal be available at the output RCAs, as well as the digital out? Would the output RCAs have been digitized/un-digitized, or would it just be pass-through? In other words, would the line-in source be passed to the “Out” RCAs without going through a A-to-D and then an D-to-A?Obviously, I could just route phono to phono pre-amp, then to stereo preamp, etc and bypass the entire SONOS ecosystem, but I would like to have the rest of the SONOS components work/distribute the music in the other rooms, but maintain the high fidelity in my main listening room. However, I only want to do this if I can reasonably convince myself that the SONOS doesn’t introduce any extra processing on the analog phono signal. What do you guys think? -Radiate88

Contributor I

Answered

Does the Port Line-In force digitization

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
June 27, 2023
24 replies
1248 views

I am planning to add a phono to my sound system setup. I currently have a port connected (Digital Out) to an external Analog-to-Digital Converter which then runs to my stereo preamp, then amplifiers, then speakers (of course). In this way, I am avoiding the Port A-to-D, and using my supposedly better fidelity off-board converter. If I were to connect a phono to the port, I assume I would connect to the line in. I have a few questions:

I assume the RCAs labeled “Out” on the port are analog outputs?
Do I connect the phono pre-amp before the “In” RCAs, or after the “Out” RCAs? I read before the “In” is correct, but does it matter?
Would the phono signal be available at the output RCAs, as well as the digital out?
Would the output RCAs have been digitized/un-digitized, or would it just be pass-through? In other words, would the line-in source be passed to the “Out” RCAs without going through a A-to-D and then an D-to-A?

Obviously, I could just route phono to phono pre-amp, then to stereo preamp, etc and bypass the entire SONOS ecosystem, but I would like to have the rest of the SONOS components work/distribute the music in the other rooms, but maintain the high fidelity in my main listening room. However, I only want to do this if I can reasonably convince myself that the SONOS doesn’t introduce any extra processing on the analog phono signal.

What do you guys think?

-Radiate88

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Best answer by buzz

Line-In is just a SONOS network source. Line-Out can play any SONOS network source, there is no direct connection between them. There is a 75ms latency between Line-In and output from a player.

AjTrek1’s scheme is treating PORT as a cassette deck. This would yield the direct path between the turntable and your amplifier that you want. Using the amplifier’s analog output connected to PORT’s Line-In you could play any input to the amplifier through SONOS players. Note that there will be a 75ms latency for all SONOS players. This is not usually an issue for distant players.

AjTrek1

You can connect your Turntable to the Phono input on your PreAmp. Then If you have a Tape/REC out on your amp just run RCA’s to the Ports RCA-In. Select your turntable as the source on your Amp and select Line in in the Sonos app for the the Port and setup your default Sonos speaker (Room). You can then group other Sonos speakers to hear the music on them.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

R

Radiate88Author

Contributor I

You can connect your Turntable to the Phono input on your PreAmp. Then If you have a Tape/REC out on your amp just run RCA’s to the Ports RCA-In. Select your turntable as the source on your Amp and select Line in in the Sonos app for the the Port and setup your default Sonos speaker (Room). You can then group other Sonos speakers to hear the music on them.

Thanks for the thoughts, I think that would probably work. My pre-amp does have another set (2 pair) of RCA outputs. I wonder if there would be any delay issues though…

For reference, this is my preamp: http://www.dehavillandhifi.com/MERCURY_PRE.htm

AjTrek1

I was responding on the premise that you have what is commonly called “Separates”.

Pre-Amp > Amp > ThenSelect Source (i.e. CD Player, DVD Player, Tape Deck with RCA IN and OUT, Turntable and possibly AUX with RCA IN and OUT)

The Ports RCA-In would Connect to the Tape Deck (or AUX) RCA-Out.

The only time Sonos experiences a noticeable 75ms delay is when using a Sonos sound bar as a Home Theater connected a TV to send TV audio to speakers that are not part of the Home Theater setup.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

buzzAnswer

Line-In is just a SONOS network source. Line-Out can play any SONOS network source, there is no direct connection between them. There is a 75ms latency between Line-In and output from a player.

AjTrek1’s scheme is treating PORT as a cassette deck. This would yield the direct path between the turntable and your amplifier that you want. Using the amplifier’s analog output connected to PORT’s Line-In you could play any input to the amplifier through SONOS players. Note that there will be a 75ms latency for all SONOS players. This is not usually an issue for distant players.

R

Radiate88Author

Contributor I

I was responding on the premise that you have what is commonly called “Separates”.

Pre-Amp > Amp > ThenSelect Source (i.e. CD Player, DVD Player, Tape Deck with RCA IN and OUT, Turntable and possibly AUX with RCA IN and OUT)

Yes, I understand. The preamp selects the source, and routes that signal to the preamp output RCAs, of which there are two sets of lefts and rights for a total of 4. I only use one set of right/left to run to my monoblock amplifiers. I currently have the port (via outboard A/D) connected to one set of RCA inputs on the preamp. I would, in this case, run phono preamp to stereo preamp other input. When that input is selected (phono), it would be routed to the two lefts/ two rights output from the preamp. Again, one set of those is run to the monoblocks. The other, currently unused set of preamp outputs could then be routed to the SONOS Port line-in, thereby getting the phono output into the SONOS ecosystem.

I believe that is the solution you are suggesting, and I suspect that it would work...

R

Radiate88Author

Contributor I

Line-In is just a SONOS network source. Line-Out can play any SONOS network source, there is no direct connection between them. There is a 75ms latency between Line-In and output from a player.

AjTrek1’s scheme is treating PORT as a cassette deck. This would yield the direct path between the turntable and your amplifier that you want. Using the amplifier’s analog output connected to PORT’s Line-In you could play any input to the amplifier through SONOS players. Note that there will be a 75ms latency for all SONOS players. This is not usually an issue for distant players.

So I believe you are answering my question regarding whether I can get an unadulterated signal out of the Port “Out” connectors from the line-in...and your answer is no. I thought maybe since the line-in on the port is analog, so I thought that perhaps the RCA “Out” on the port might be just a pass through. But, again, I believe that you are saying NO to that idea….

buzz

If the amplifier output that you use for Line-In follows the amplifier’s Volume control, you’ll have Volume control “wars” with the player Volume controls.

buzz

I believe that you are saying NO to that idea….

That’s correct

R

Radiate88Author

Contributor I

If the amplifier output that you use for Line-In follows the amplifier’s Volume control, you’ll have Volume control “wars” with the player Volume controls.

Good point. This would be the case since volume control is indeed at the preamp. Thanks for your input.

K

Kumar

I am avoiding the Port A-to-D, and using my supposedly better fidelity off-board converter.

“Supposedly” may be in theory based on DAC specs, but audibly in a blind test with sound levels accurately matched? No one has been able to prove that even in a quiet domestic listening environment by picking between the two alternatives in a statistically reliable manner.

Do what is most convenient therefore, without bothering about theoretical differences.

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