Pioneer VSX-LX103 "Works with Sonos"... not working with Sonos ZP80

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
October 14, 2018
23 replies
2542 views

I bought a Pioneer VSX-LX103 today and and am trying to get it to work with my SONOS ZP80 (which I believe is the old version of the SONOS Connect). The LX103 is listed as being supported by "Works with SONOS" http://sonos.pioneerhomeusa.com. I get it home from Best Buy, install the latest firmware on the receiver and then follow the instructions here - http://sonos.pioneerhomeusa.com/assets/PioneerElite+Sonos-01.mp4

I get to the step to select the Connected Device under Hardware > Works with SONOS but the ZP80 is not found. I've tried everything, connecting to different RCA inputs (everything except Phono because the video says that doesn't work) but all to no avail. The ZP80 is on the same wifi network as the receiver and I've updated my SONOS system today.

Really frustrated as this was one of the major drivers for me buying the Pioneer in the first place. It could be that the ZP80 isn't compatible with the "Works with SONOS" feature, but I can't afford to get a newer Connect only to find out that doesn't work either!

Any advice would be gratefully received. I've been buying into the SONOS ecosystem since the very first player and save for this setback I'm a SONOS devotee.

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Best answer by thebullet

SONOS got back to me very quickly saying that the ZP80 should work - https://twitter.com/SonosSupport/status/1051835001476734977 Next step calling Pioneer Support...

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Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

Two common options here in the US are a modem/router combination and a plain modem, most of the modem/router combination units can be switched to modem only operation (aka bridge mode) where it operates like the modem only device. In bridge mode, the cable modem/routers I'm familiar with, lock to the MAC of the first seen device the same as the modem only units do. They have to be rebooted to change the connected device or the MACs have to be spoofed to be the same.

There is no need to spoof the MAC address as long as you don't try to change the connected device after the modem is booted. On the few modem/router combination units I've worked with if you switch them to bridge mode only one of the LAN ports can be used as there is only one IP available to the bridge. With multiple devices attached which one gets the IP is a speed contest and no telling which device will win.

If you disable the internal router or use a plain modem version then hooking to a router is all that is needed, the modem connection provides DHCP service that allows the router to pick up the needed addresses for operation.

Something that bites a lot of folks is that some of the modems also offer an internal DHCP service when off-line so that you can connect to the modem and see the internal pages. If your router has accepted the internal DHCP addressing data it will need to have the WAN interface recycled to pick up the ISP provided DHCP data once the link comes up.

With your correction what you are seeing seems very similar to what I see here and the setup makes sense.

I don't think I'd try to operate a mesh system and run my Sonos in standard (WiFi only) mode, Boost would be a lot less frustrating.

What really hurts on the auto-changing channel is that if you pick the quietest channel for your SonosNet Boost setup the silly router is likely to look at it when you aren't playing music and move to it causing issues when you next try to play music.

I looked at several of the new mesh setups and decided they were not going to play well with my Sonos and instead went with Ubiquity WiFi gear and a pfSense router hooked to a plain cable modem that gives me much more control of my system. So far all is working quite well and the learning curve was easy.

Ken_Griffiths

I don't think I'd try to operate a mesh system and run my Sonos in standard (WiFi only) mode, Boost would be a lot less frustrating.

What really hurts on the auto-changing channel is that if you pick the quietest channel for your SonosNet Boost setup the silly router is likely to look at it when you aren't playing music and move to it causing issues when you next try to play music.

I looked at several of the new mesh setups and decided they were not going to play well with my Sonos and instead went with Ubiquity WiFi gear and a pfSense router hooked to a plain cable modem that gives me much more control of my system. So far all is working quite well and the learning curve was easy.

Firstly, thanks for all the info. It seems things are quite similar between the US and UK ISP’s and I totally agree too that if I had a mesh system I would run my Sonos devices in Boost Mode, but I’ve always preferred the exclusivity of SonosNet in any case. Albeit I run most things about the house on the 5ghz band anyway, wherever possible.

I don’t currently have problems as I’ve managed to setup clear fixed channels for WiFi and SonosNet as my neighbours all seem to favour channel 6 or thereabouts for some reason and so I use 1 and 11 and stay well clear.

I don’t think I will be switching to a mesh system either anytime soon .

Anyhow, thanks again for the info !?

Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

I got a tip on creating a clear channel from a friend, haven't tried it yet but I may.

Grab a WiFi router that supports multiple SSIDs on 2.4 GHz and load them all to come up on your preferred channel for your SonosNet at the highest available power settings. It doesn't even need a network connection once set up.

The new router won't impact Sonos much as no data will be moved using them, just the background WiFi chatter but I'm told many auto-seeking routers will look for another channel anyway.

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