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Alonzo Mosley
Alonzo Mosley
Headliner I
Nov 10, 2025 9:20 PM UTC

Sonos Port - How Soon Before Obsolete?

I have finally hit the end of my rope with Sonos Connect. The whole system was about to go down the chute when someone said, “No! Wait! The Sonos Amp is what you really need for your turntable!” 

(OK he said “...need for your vinyls” but, you know...)

That’s a lot of scratch when I already have a phono amp. 

So I was looking at the Sonos Port.

Which is also a lot of scratch.

And is black - when all my other Sonos gear is white.

But my real question is:

  1. Is the Port indeed materially better than the Connect? 
  2. It’s expensive - how soon before the next generation improvement is released?
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24 replies

buzz
buzz
Grand Maestro
Nov 10, 2025 9:31 PM UTC

SONOS does not publicize its product release schedule.

Why have you “hit the end of my rope with Sonos Connect”?

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Stanley_4
Stanley_4
Grand Maestro
Nov 10, 2025 9:36 PM UTC

Obsolete is tough, the much older ZonePlayers aren't obsolete yet.

Supported, also tough, as while Sonos only promises 5 years from the time a product is last sold they are still supporting the ZonePlayers. Dedicated controllers and accessories have gone out of support.

The Port is expensive but it is far from the only currently sold Sonos to support a line-in connections. The Era-100 and 3.5 input adapter is likely the cheapest.

I'm not expert on Sonos internals but I'd be surprised if there was an audible,quality difference.

Cheapest of course is taking the time to understand your Connect issues and solving them. A good part of that is knowing what version of the Connect you have, the manufacture date is the first part of the serial number.

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    Alonzo Mosley
    Alonzo MosleyAuthor
    Headliner I
    Nov 10, 2025 9:46 PM UTC

    SONOS does not publicize its product release schedule.

    Why have you “hit the end of my rope with Sonos Connect”?

    Oh way too many reasons to count. Doesn’t maintain stereo separation, drops channels (even the hard-wired speakers), room coverage is sporadic...

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    Dan: You're gonna need to get someone to fix my computer. Kim: What's wrong with it? Dan: It's in several pieces on my floor.
    Alonzo Mosley
    Alonzo MosleyAuthor
    Headliner I
    Nov 10, 2025 9:49 PM UTC

    Cheapest of course is taking the time to understand your Connect issues and solving them. A good part of that is knowing what version of the Connect you have, the manufacture date is the first part of the serial number.

    I have spent too many hours of my life trying to solve Sonos issues. Not at home, so I can’t dig out the S/N, but it would be c. 2018.

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    Dan: You're gonna need to get someone to fix my computer. Kim: What's wrong with it? Dan: It's in several pieces on my floor.
    Stanley_4
    Stanley_4
    Grand Maestro
    Nov 11, 2025 12:36 AM UTC

    2018 would be a Gen 2, March  2015 or earlier would be a Gen 1.

    The newer version should, barring a hardware failure, be able to be used without issue.

    There might be something internal wrong that only support can see which is why waiting for the issue (or one of them) to appear and submitting a diagnostic within a few minutes is so important. Submit one or several and then CALL Sonos support and ask they be looked at.

    If you give us more details (but not serial numbers or diagnostic IDs) someone might spot something saving a support call.

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    Alonzo Mosley
    Alonzo MosleyAuthor
    Headliner I
    Nov 11, 2025 12:59 AM UTC

    Reading between the lines… A Port isn’t any better than a Connect?

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    Dan: You're gonna need to get someone to fix my computer. Kim: What's wrong with it? Dan: It's in several pieces on my floor.
    Airgetlam
    Airgetlam
    Nov 11, 2025 1:18 AM UTC

    Question: do you purchase new computers or new phones?

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    Bruce
      Stanley_4
      Stanley_4
      Grand Maestro
      Nov 11, 2025 1:22 AM UTC

      As I said earlier likely no audible difference playing records. Maybe a tiny bit on higher quality sources.

      Have a look at some comparisons, comments and reviews

      https://www.startpage.com/sp/search?query=sonos+port+vs+connect

       

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      Raguu
      Enthusiast II
      Nov 11, 2025 2:35 AM UTC

      Reading between the lines… A Port isn’t any better than a Connect?

       

      The Port supports 5 GHz N Wi‑Fi and AirPlay, which is nice, but I’d wait for the next generation in hopes of added features. 
      That said, in my experience the Port is a solid, well‑performing product. If it meets your needs and fits your budget, you’ll likely be happy with it. 

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      Stanley_4
      Stanley_4
      Grand Maestro
      Nov 11, 2025 4:48 AM UTC

      Waiting for the next generation? So far nobody has even a leak about that happening.

      I'm too old to be waiting several years to buy something I need today.

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