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junkman222
Contributor I
August 1, 2018

How to connect an old Zenith record console to Sonos?

  • August 1, 2018
  • 17 replies
  • 1865 views
Hi and thanks for the help. I'm on the verge of procuring an old record console from the 60's but want to make sure I can connect it to my system. I know the unit has RCA jacks labeled "tape in" and "tape out", and no headphone jack. Like consoles of it's time, it has two speakers, a radio, and the turntable. My Sonos system consists of a Playbar and Sub, 5 in-ceiling speakers with Connect:Amps attached, and a loose play 5 that I put in the most applicable room at the time.
I think my solution is a Connect (not a Connect:amp) which when attached with RCA cables to the RCA in/out jacks on the connect will allow music streaming on my Sonos system to play through the console speakers and also allow vinyl playing on the console to play through the console speakers and the rest of my Sonos speakers. Am I right?
I need a plug and play solution. Just want to make sure I'm doing this right before I sink a bunch of money into this.
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junkman222Author
Contributor I
August 3, 2018
Barzilay made some great cabinets that you could put quality components (Pioneer, Sansui, McIntosh, etc) into. They're hard to find now, though, and tend to be pricey.
I appreciate the education. I didn't know Barzilay was a thing, but now that you have sent me looking, that's exactly what I'd hope to accomplish with this project. You are right that they are both rare and pricey, perhaps I just have to keep looking to find a good one.
junkman222Author
Contributor I
August 3, 2018
I am not sure that putting speakers that are inside one box - like the play units are - inside another cabinet will be good for the resultant sound quality.

Why not look for a used turntable that has the classic/antique look and wiring that to a preamp and thence to a play 5 outside a cabinet? Or, if you must have the look everywhere, why not add a Connect and an amp and wire that to a pair of wood veneered passive speakers? The preamp, Connect and stereo amp can be kept out of sight with no effect on sound quality as long as they get ventilated. And you could even use a Connect Amp, in place of Connect + third party amp, if your speakers can be driven by the 55 watts of the Connect Amp.
If I could find a decent Barzilay-esque cabinet to complete the look, this would work great!

Can anyone point me towards units similar to the Barzilay that might be less rare? Maybe something still in production?
chicks
chicks
August 3, 2018
Do you have a Home Goods store nearby? They sometimes have some decent AV cabinets in stock. Usually made in India or Vietnam, but some look nice, and appear well made. Spotted a really nice Mid-Century Modern cabinet there a couple months back, was tempted, but no room.

I'm using a small antique Chinese painted cabinet found on Craigslist to house my Connect:Amp and phono preamp, with a nice old ELAC turntable sitting on top (with its own dustcover). Looks great, and super simple to use, with the Line In set to auto detect the preamp's signal.

chicks
chicks
August 3, 2018
Something like this IKEA Besta hack looks nice, and provides record storage, to boot.

https://www.ikeahackers.net/2014/09/mid-century-modern-record-console.html

Edward R
Edward R
Retired Sonos Staff
August 3, 2018
Something like this IKEA Besta hack looks nice, and provides record storage, to boot.

https://www.ikeahackers.net/2014/09/mid-century-modern-record-console.html



I love that. I don't know if my 80's Pioneer will fit but I'm going to give it a damn good go. Thanks, Chicks.
Try searching our articles for help with your question: https://www.sonos.com/en/support
chicks
chicks
August 3, 2018
Happy hacking!
junkman222Author
Contributor I
August 4, 2018
Do you have a Home Goods store nearby? They sometimes have some decent AV cabinets in stock. Usually made in India or Vietnam, but some look nice, and appear well made. Spotted a really nice Mid-Century Modern cabinet there a couple months back, was tempted, but no room.



They just opened one not far from me... I will go check it out!
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