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Contributor I
July 21, 2017

Turntable > Amp > Sonos

  • July 21, 2017
  • 13 replies
  • 1145 views
I have a Technics turntable, and a Kenwood KR- a56R Stereo Receiver. I would like to get this hooked up to the sonos system in my house. A couple of questions, this is assuming I need to buy the CONNECT:

- There is not a "Line Out" or even RCA Out option on my reciever. The ONLY out options are to Speakers, and are the old Speaker wire types. Do I connect the Speaker Out to the CONNECT? In order to do this, I will need Speaker Wire to RCA adaptation I am assuming.

- DO I lose quality here? I.E. the Receiver has multiple Speaker Out terminal spots. If I only connect 1 "speaker out" to the CONNECT, do I lose the stereo effect?

- What would be the best speaker set up for this arrangement? Currently in that room, I have a Sound Bar (for the TV) and 2 PLAY 1 speakers (Surround) and a subwoofer. Should I add a 5th?


Thanks!
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13 replies

July 10, 2018
no deterioration of the audio if you choose uncompressed for the Line-In settings.
In practice I have not been able to hear any deterioration even using compressed mode for Line In. Just like I am not able to hear any difference between 320k lossy and lossless versions of the same recording. So if the wireless environment does not permit the use of uncompressed mode to deliver stutter free music play, I would not lose sleep over that either. Compressed can cause a sync delay between Sonos and non Sonos speakers, but that is a different issue.

And to the concern expressed about TT sound being degraded to sound like a "crappy over compressed digital stream", much of the latter reputation for digital music arises in the upstream recording/mastering process, not in the digital streaming process per se. At its best, digital recording and subsequent streaming is superior to vinyl at its best. Also, if the LP has been crappily recorded, it will sound crappy no matter how it is played. Use Sonos with an analog TT, and you will also get all the clicks and assorted noises from worn out needles and grooves with utmost fidelity.
Lyricist I
May 18, 2019
Thanks for all of the advice on this thread. I was grappling with how to perfectly config TT + Vintage Hifi Amp + Connect so I can use turntable with vintage Hifi/Speakers as well with Sonos.

Going TT-->Hifi-->connect (via Tape out) was causing a very small delay between hifi and rest of Sonos in the house. It was small, but it was there.

I added a very affordable Pyle Phono Amp, I rewired as TT->phono amp->Connect->Hifi (via Aux input rather than phono) and now Sonos house-wide as well as Hifi speakers are in perfect sync.

I also use the Advanced Audio settings of the Connect to set the right input and output level of the Connect and set the AutoPlay so that it pushes out to the Hifi when the turntable is activated.

Sounds great, easy to use!
Legnum Nick
Prodigy III
May 18, 2019
Most amps/receivers with a tape loop allow you to "monitor" the tape loop. If you wire both in and out on the Connect to the out and in on the amp, then you should be able to select the turntable but monitor the tape loop. This not only resolves the delay issue to put the amp in sync with the rest of your Sonos but also allows you to adjust the volume through the amp with the Sonos app.

I realise this doesn't work in all cases and is too for late for you in any case, but it might be useful for the next person.