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Difference between latest Port and earlier Connect Gen2

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
July 27, 2023
24 replies
28432 views

I have made the decision to stick with Sonos and upgrade all of my Sonos kit to S2.

My question now is whether for the Connect/Port component there is any benefit in having the current Port vs the Connect Gen2. It appears to me there is no clear benefit in using the newer box.

I ask because the Port costs £499 each in the UK before trade-in discount. The Connect Gen 2 is readily available used for about £150. I need several.

Thanks as always for any insights.

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Best answer by GuitarSuperstar

From the Sonos website:

How is Port different from Connect?

Port is the successor to Connect, delivering richer sound and extending the Sonos platform to traditional audio equipment. Port includes an updated digital-to-analog converter for clearly detailed sound and a 12V trigger, which automatically turns on your amplifier to more reliably initiate playback. Port also allows you to control content using Apple AirPlay 2 and features a versatile design compatible with a standard AV rack.

G

GuitarSuperstarAnswer

Lead Maestro

From the Sonos website:

How is Port different from Connect?

Port is the successor to Connect, delivering richer sound and extending the Sonos platform to traditional audio equipment. Port includes an updated digital-to-analog converter for clearly detailed sound and a 12V trigger, which automatically turns on your amplifier to more reliably initiate playback. Port also allows you to control content using Apple AirPlay 2 and features a versatile design compatible with a standard AV rack.

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi

ratty

I ask because the Port costs £499 each in the UK before trade-in discount. The Connect Gen 2 is readily available used for about £150. I need several.

To a degree it depends on whether you require digital output or analog. Port has a better internal DAC. However for digital output Port should be locked in Fixed Volume mode to bypass the DSP and avoid limiter effects in Variable Volume mode that have attracted criticism. According to other reports, even in Fixed Volume the Port is evidently not bit-perfect possibly due to internal sample rate conversion.

On the connectivity front, Port has a much better radio and is able to support 5GHz WiFi (802.11n and 802.11a only). It also consumes less power than Connect when idle and runs cooler.

E

EnEmAuthor

Avid Contributor I

Thanks for the very helpful replies. Will probably go for the port, for the reasons outlined.

Not clear if the bit-perfect discussion is relevant for me. I do want high quality but have already moved away from considering BlueSound and I guess have accepted that the Sonos… is what it is.

My next question is whether the points discussed above apply to the Connect Amp Gen 2 when compared to the current Amp 🤷🏻

Thanks

G

GuitarSuperstar

Lead Maestro

My next question is whether the points discussed above apply to the Connect Amp Gen 2 when compared to the current Amp 🤷🏻

From the Sonos website:

What is the difference between Amp and Connect:Amp?

Amp is more powerful than Connect:Amp, supporting 125 Watts per channel versus 55 Watts per channel. Amp also features an HDMI ARC input for TV integration, allows control with Apple AirPlay 2, and supports Trueplay when powering Sonos Architectural by Sonance. Both Amp and Connect:Amp have RCA line-in options.

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi

E

EnEmAuthor

Avid Contributor I

Thanks again for the great knowledge.

When using Apple Air Play 2 is this done on a Sonos device by device basis, or once feeding one Sonos device, can the source be ‘broadcast’ to all Sonos zones?

ratty

And bit-perfectness obviously has no relevance to the Amp. Outputs are analog.

G

GuitarSuperstar

Lead Maestro

Thanks again for the great knowledge.

When using Apple Air Play 2 is this done on a Sonos device by device basis, or once feeding one Sonos device, can the source be ‘broadcast’ to all Sonos zones?

Read this article about AirPlay and Sonos:

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/stream-airplay-audio-to-sonos

"Receive with simplicity everything that happens to you." - Rashi

106rallye

If you need an optical out stay with the Connect - the Port does not do optical.

E

EnEmAuthor

Avid Contributor I

Oops, clicked wrong answer for best answer and can’t change it.

K

Kumar

Thanks for the very helpful replies. Will probably go for the port, for the reasons outlined.

Not clear if the bit-perfect discussion is relevant for me. I do want high quality but have already moved away from considering BlueSound and I guess have accepted that the Sonos… is what it is.

My next question is whether the points discussed above apply to the Connect Amp Gen 2 when compared to the current Amp 🤷🏻

Thanks

For the price difference quoted, I would go for Connects that are S2 capable; any audible change via Port is objectively questionable. But for all that is posted by GuitarSuperstar on how the Amp is different than the Connect Amp, the latest Sonos amp model is the one to buy.

PS: I have Sonos kit including Connects bought in 2011 that all work flawlessly so I give them high marks for reliability; the Connect does run hot, but that has never been an issue because my two are installed in well ventilated spaces.

Since you are planning on using S2, just make sure that whatever used Connect you buy is S2 capable.

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