Sonos Port 12V Trigger

Yes, thanks.  I saw that.  I now think it is working.  The blue LED around the main power button apparently stays lit in the standby mode.  I hear it clicking off after 2 minutes.  Thanks!

I want to connect (3) PORTs to a 6-channel power amplifier that has only one 12V trigger input. Can I parallel all three triggers to this one trigger input? Do I have to use diode isolation?

Hi Roy, I had the same question.  I’ve read on other home audio forums that you should include a diode on the positive lead in case the other SONOS don’t like voltage being fed back into them (my non tech explanation), suggested something like the 1N4001 diode.

I thought I had an issue with this but it turns out the issue was just me.  I have a Rotel digital amp that I thought was not being triggered by the Port because an indicator light stayed on.  It turns out the light is a standby light.  Listening carefully, I could detect the Port switching the amp of exactly 2 minutes later as it is supposed to. I can’t speak to whether it works with a receiver, but if the amp has a 12 V input switch, it works exactly like it should.  Great product. 

I like the idea of using isolation diodes in series with each 12V trigger. Any of the 1N400x diodes would be fine for this application. They are readily available, inexpensive, and relatively rugged. I recommend soldering all of the connections and enclosing the network in a discarded pill bottle. The banded ends of the diodes are connected together and to the amplifier. Make sure that there are no short circuits. You could build the network on a small printed circuit board if you are a neat freak. I would tend to build a little 3-D mess, then apply a glob of silicone rubber to keep wires from touching each other.

This is an interesting thread. If I understand this right, the trigger is generally used to power on an amp since the receiver‘s trigger is usually an out. 
 

If that’s the case, is it expected that the Connect/Port can be connected directly to the amp in lieu of a pre-amp?

Might be able to save me a bunch of money, because I’ve only intended the Sonos to be my sole input. Although… that will put more emphasis on the built-in DAC since my original plan was to use the Sonos as a transport. 

A 12V trigger output is power limited and used strictly for control.

PORT will accept line level audio input. By this I mean a Tuner, Cassette Deck, CD player, etc., not direct magnetic Phono cartridge output. A magnetic Phono Cartridge would need some sort of pre-amp to bring its output up to line level.

Yes, PORT can be used for transport to other SONOS units and as input to an amplifier that accepts line level analog input or digital audio input.

 Thanks buzz, so sounds like I can use the port to turn my amp on and save some money by skipping the pre-amp since the port is going to be the only source device (no phono, cd, or anything else for me!)

can always add a pre-amp later if I decide to hook more stuff up, or get a better dac, or start playing with tubes. 

Hi all, I built the following box with 6 inputs for the 12v output from the Sonos and one output to the amp, using diodes inside to protect the Sonos.  My amp had signal detect, i.e. it would turn on when it detected audio on an input but I found often watching TV the amp would turn off because the audio was too low and I also found the amp slow to turn on especially for music tracks with quiet starts. 
With the 12v input it now works perfectly and turns on within seconds.  My distribution amp is the Rotel RMB-1512

Hi all, I built the following box with 6 inputs for the 12v output from the Sonos and one output to the amp, using diodes inside to protect the Sonos.  My amp had signal detect, i.e. it would turn on when it detected audio on an input but I found often watching TV the amp would turn off because the audio was too low and I also found the amp slow to turn on especially for music tracks with quiet starts. 
With the 12v input it now works perfectly and turns on within seconds.  My distribution amp is the Rotel RMB-1512

 

 

Nice Solution!