Denon Receiver with Multi-Source

No. And yes. The issue is ‘how’ it is done. You wouldn’t be ‘daisy chaining’ the devices. Once they’re set up, you’d be ‘grouping’ them in the Sonos software, and they’d then play whatever source, be it streaming from the Denon, or streaming from the internet in sync. You’d then be able to control the volume of each Amp separately, using the Sonos controller. 

Thanks for your answer!

I am lost at the streaming from the Denon AVR.

For example, If I was playing something my AppleTv that is connected to the amp and it plays thru the main speakers and I want hear that thru out the house as well, would the Denon have the ability to “Stream” to the Sonos Amps as like using one of the Zones from the AVR to the speakers?  

I have been studying the Sonos Port and wondered if that is what I would need but confused as usual.

Some of the Denon DSP options can delay the sound from the attached speakers, some modes more than others, picking the direct output removes the delay.

Been a while but I used two Connects, the predecessor to the Port, to stream music to my Denon AVR in one room,a Yamaha AVR In another and several Sonos speakers. If you carefully positioned yourself between rooms you could hear the delay, normally it wasn't an issue even with both AVRs and all Sonos playing.

With two Denon zones for output you might want to wire two Sonos to it so you could send your Sonos system two simultaneous streams to select from in addition to the internal Sonos options.

Great question!

I am trying to duplicate what I have now.

I have 12 sets of speakers thru the house that we built. With that build we had each room with a volume control for its speakers. The Denon AVR has three zones. Zone 1 is the main zone for the surround sound system with the TV. Zone 2 goes from the AVR to a Niles amplifier that splits that into 12 speakers in 6 rooms. Zone 3 does the same to six different rooms. I have the flexibility of controlling the volume with each Zone independently and further adjusting the volume in each room independently with that rooms volume control. Some rooms I have the volume control on low if they are not needed. Keeps the neighbors happy.

The problem I have is no volume controls in the rooms now. And three sets of speakers will be outside. It really does come down to the analog volume controls that were preinstalled in our current home.

The 75ms delay may be a deal breaker. There are sometimes I need everything in synch because of the main event with the sound in the main zone. 

I am still hoping Sonos can be part of the solution. I am sold on their product. 

Thanks a bunch for thinking this with me.

I do recall a setting in my Denon for adjusting a delay. I may have to look into that as well. Thank you.

I am now wondering if anyone will notice if they are not looking for it. Kind of like a slight echo. 75 out of 1000 ms doesn’t sound as much.

If you could indulge me, for what my needs or wants are, Could you guide me what this would look like in the basic form?

Lets say for simplicity I want to play a CD from its player that is connect to the Denon AVR and want that to play on my Whole house Sonos speakers thru-out. From the Denon AVR, how would that signal get to the Sonos speakers? 

I know it sounds simple but this brain just works that way. Simple.

Really appreciate the help.

To start with I'd rip the CD collection and use the Sonos music library. Did that years ago and gave away the CD player and changer.

I'd also go with a Port on the Denon's tape-monitor loop for the interface between the two systems.

I tried typing up several different options but it has been so long since I used components I wasn't confident in any of my suggestions.

Yeah I don’t have actual CDs anymore. Just showing my age I guess. I should have said an AppleTV which is what I use for all my TV stuff. 

For some reason I am stuck on the logic of all this. I am trying to get from my Denon AVR, to the Sonos speakers and trying to figure out how this is all done. It seems to me the Sonos Port may be some kind of bridge from my AVR to the Sonos Amps. For my wants I want the main zone to match zone 2 and zone 3 if I wish.

Once again, appreciate the perspective.

If your Apple TV is connected to the Denon via HDMI, the Denon might not be able to pass the sound through to an analogue in on a Sonos Amp.

That was true for other Denons that I had before.

My current receiver converts that signal to analog. 

I was just thinking last night how long it took to first discover that many years ago. Manuals that are hundreds of pages long it was easy to miss that little blurb. 😁

Appreciate your thoughts.

​@SWAdude 

You may find the information below useful….

Based upon 12 pairs of speakers (24) you currently own

• Each Sonos Amp is identified as One room.
• All speakers wired to a single Amp play the same audio.
• A Sonos Port ^ connected to the Denon will allow sources connected to it (Denon); play to all Sonos rooms when Grouped *
• Rooms can be streamed to individually via an audio subscription service independent of the Denon/Port
• TV audio will experience a 75ms delay to Sonos vs that sent to speakers wired to the Denon
• Below are possible builds using a Sonos Amp(s) for rooms and spaces **

12 Sonos Amps/24 Speakers ***

1. Sonos Amp_1 Pair (3rd party speakers x 2) One room
2. Sonos Amp_1 Pair (3rd party speakers x 2) One room
3. Sonos Amp_1 Pair (3rd party speakers x 2) One room
4. Sonos Amp_1 Pair (3rd party speakers x 2) One room
5. Sonos Amp_1 Pair (3rd party speakers x 2) One room
6. Sonos Amp_1 Pair (3rd party speakers x 2) One room
7. Sonos Amp_1 Pair (3rd party speakers x 2) One room
8. Sonos Amp_1 Pair (3rd party speakers x 2) One room
9. Sonos Amp_1 Pair (3rd party speakers x 2) One room
10. Sonos Amp_1 Pair (3rd party speakers x 2) One room
11. Sonos Amp_1 Pair (3rd party speakers x 2) One room
12. Sonos Amp_1 Pair (3rd party speakers x 2) One room

6 Sonos Amps/24 Speakers ****

1. Sonos Amp_2 Pair (3rd party speakers x 4) One room
2. Sonos Amp_2 Pair (3rd party speakers x 4) One room
3. Sonos Amp_2 Pair (3rd party speakers x 4) One room
4. Sonos Amp_2 Pair (3rd party speakers x 4) One room
5. Sonos Amp_2 Pair (3rd party speakers x 4) One room
6. Sonos Amp_2 Pair (3rd party speakers x 4) One room

^ The Port will be designated as room (For Example: Denon 2)

 * Space refers to an area where a speaker might be installed regardless of the Amp (room) it is wired to. For example: Dining Room Amp with 4 speakers and 2 of 4 are placed in the kitchen (space).

 ** Large Groupings will tax your Wi-Fi

*** 2 speakers per Amp in one room or split between 2 spaces

**** 4 speakers per Amp in one room or split between 2, 3 or 4 spaces.

Dang!  Did I come to right place.👍🏼

Thank you very much Aj. Extremely helpful.All have been.

If I may indulge another question, If I was to connect an ethernet cable to the back of each Amp, does that give a better method of communication? Or is the communication exclusively with Wifi?

Thanks again!!!

​@SWAdude 

If I may indulge another question, If I was to connect an ethernet cable to the back of each Amp, does that give a better method of communication? 

Yes…

However, you’ll have to run everything back to a switch connected to your router. Prudence dictates employing the help of a professional installer for a clean setup; and someone to hold responsible if things go array.😂

Running Ethernet cable can be tricky and not reliable over long runs without some sort of junction

Amazon.com: Rapink Patch Panel 24 Port Cat6A with Inline Keystone 10G Support, Coupler Patch Panel STP Shielded 19-Inch with Removable Back Bar, 1U Network Patch Panel for Cat7, Cat6, Cat6A, Cat5e : Electronics

and/or Wall plates

ethernet wall port - Search

Thanks again!

I will be having a professional do the install. Where the equipment is going there will be two wall ports already installed with CAT7 that goes to a router. 

I have messed around with all this for so about 25 years but no pro. And yes, I think it best to have someone else hold that responsibility. 😁

Thanks Aj.

Everyone on this thread, I appreciate getting me off the right start with all this information. I can never get enough. Please keep on sharing! 🤙🏽

​@SWAdude 

FYI, if need be...you can run 6 Sonos Architectural by Sonance on one Amp!

Connect six Sonos Architectural speakers to Amp | Sonos

Note, the difference between Ethernet cabled and WiFi connection is zero, in terms of music quality itself.  The music has been digitized, and is equal across both methods of communication. WiFi is more subject to interference, but cabling isn’t perfect either, in the grand scheme. Both would be affected by potential duplicate IP addresses with the router, since that is a router issue, and not a communication issue.

If the WiFi network environment is clean, I prefer wireless (wifi) connection, it’s what the system was designed for. The fallback, IMHO, is wired components. But you’re not getting ‘better’ music, just a likely more stable connection. 

There is more information in the the wireless and wired systems FAQ. 

It’s wild that people prefer Sonos wireless over wired. 

​@SWAdude 

FYI, if need be...you can run 6 Sonos Architectural by Sonance on one Amp!

Connect six Sonos Architectural speakers to Amp | Sonos

 

 

Thats good to know. Thanks!

This system sounds like its the ultimate in flexibility.

Thanks again.

I wish I could find a wired solution not having volume controls for my specific application needs.

I would have thoughtone would be easy to find. If you know of one, I am interested!

My reference to suggest a wired connection had nothing to do with quality of music as it is all digital. ​@SWAdude was asking a question in reference to my comment that large groupings can tax a WiFi network. I mentioned that given that ​@SWAdude could have anywhere from 6 to 12 rooms (all using speakers wired to an Amp) in a whole home grouping. Therefore my reference was directed toward stability and not the quality of the music as it relates to Ethernet vs WiFi.

Why?

Outside of situations where a reliable wifi connection can't be established what is gained from Ethernet?

Is that gain worth giving up 1 of the three available wifi channels for?

I hope no one is under the impression that a wired connection results in an increase in music quality, because nothing could be further from the truth.  Sonos doesn’t degrade music streams due to lack of bandwidth, at least not subtly.  A stream is streamed as is, and if bandwidth or interference becomes an issue, the stream will noticeably stutter or drop out.  

It seems this firestorm about Ethernet vs WiFi for music quality was result of a member not understanding the context of the OP’s question. 

At no time in my response to the OP was music quality mentioned nor was the OP’s question remotely hinting at music quality. The Question was asked in regards to large groupings TAXING a WiFi network relating to communication (stability) which can occur.

Therefore the OP asked might using Ethernet to connect all devices be better for communication (stability) when grouping. My response was yes.

I hope this clarifies things before other OP’s pick up this thread and are further confused.

I think maybe one of the usual suspects is throwing a wrench in the works.  Just another normal day in the Sonos forum.

Wireless isn’t as reliable as wired ime. But you guys do you and keep going off over sound quality bs.