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Bong Ty
Trending Lyricist I
February 4, 2021

Improving vinyl listening experience with Sonos set up

To all Sonos experts out there! Long post alert and newbie question here --

 

I would like to know any possible tweaks or practical upgrades on how to improve my sonos experience -- 

 

I have the following set up:

 

Room 1:

- LG TV

- Sonos Arc

- Sonos Sub

- 2 Play 1 as rear surrounds

 

Room 2: (Room acoustics is not ideal)

- Turntable

- Sonos Amp (powers the 2 floorstanding Jamo E470 speakers)

- Play 5 (as center)

- 2 Play 1 as rear surrounds

 

My issues are:

1. I would like to improve my vinyl (2 channel) listening experience as the clarity of instruments is not there. I'm only 60% satisfied with the Sonos Amp. It is ok when I play vinyl with the surround sound on both rooms or one.

2. But when I play Hi-Res, 24 bit music on youtube coming from Room 1 - my experience is a bit better in both areas. The quality and the listening experience is not exhaustive, even if you increase the volume a little bit.

3. I just love to enjoy my vinyl just like the way I listened to hi-res music but I don't know how...

 

What I'm planning to do that I'm seek the help of all experts - as I don't know what I'm doing here :-(

 

1. Move the Sonos sub to room 2 as a tweak (2.1 channel) to improve maybe? What do you think?

2. Buy a good pair of bookshelf speakers (Klipsch R41M - 50 Watt) to replace the old Jamo speakers that I just like because of the wood that matches the turntable. Im open to recommendations to possibly match either the amp (i still have 10 days to exchange) or the port...

3. Get a "Work with Sonos" receiver exchange the Amp to Sonos Port (as i still have 10 days to return/exchange) to increase the power as I believe the Amp can be paired with the receiver, I saw it on the app when I first set up... but i need help where to properly connect it - in room 1 or room 2?

4. Or another practical option - get another Play 5 to pair as stereo with the existing center speaker than replacing the floorstanding speakers and keep the amp.

 

Please help. Thank you all!

 

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23 replies

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Bong TyAuthor
Trending Lyricist I
February 5, 2021

you need to post full details of your turntable andcartridge as they are unknowns.

Hi Belly, Im using the AudioTechica LPW40WN with AT-VMN95E stylus. Thank you all for the support.  Makes me feel hopeful that i can still improve my listening experience - that is why we have these sonos components to try. 

Belly M
Belly M
February 5, 2021

Ok…

 

I would connect the TT directly to the Play 5 and not group the Play 5 with anything and have a listen. You may need to “find” a suitable lead. Alternatively without a lead to hand leave it connected to the Sonos Amp but play back on the 5 only without the Jamo’s or Play 1’s (not grouped)

 

Either way make sure the Sonos 5 or Amp’s line in level is set at 9 or 10 AND the switch in the back of the TT needs to be set to LINE

 

see how it sounds and let us know

    Bong TyAuthor
    Trending Lyricist I
    February 5, 2021

    Follow up question - I only have a single play 5 though to connect to the TT, will it sound good? not paired as stereo?

     

    Please elaborate further: “You may need to “find” a suitable lead. Alternatively without a lead to hand leave it connected to the Sonos Amp but play back on the 5 only without the Jamo’s or Play 1’s (not grouped)”

     

    What do you mean: “leave it”? the single play 5? So, I will pair the play 5 with the amp without the Jamo and play 1 speakers?

     

    Thanks for your time.

    Belly M
    Belly M
    February 5, 2021

    Stereo is better with two 5’s but you only have one to test.

     

    just connect the TT to the Play 5, don’t have the music playing from anything else. 

      Bong TyAuthor
      Trending Lyricist I
      February 5, 2021

      Stereo is better with two 5’s but you only have one to test.

       

      just connect the TT to the Play 5, don’t have the music playing from anything else. 

       

      But isnt it a downgrade? Thanks!

      Belly M
      Belly M
      February 5, 2021

      … test

      Bong TyAuthor
      Trending Lyricist I
      February 5, 2021

      I’ve done it before not as clear and engaging

      Belly M
      Belly M
      February 5, 2021

      I’ve done it before not as clear and engaging

      With the setting I posted?

        Bong TyAuthor
        Trending Lyricist I
        February 5, 2021

        Yup that prompted me to add the 3rd party speakers with the amp.  As i am not happy with just the TT and one single play 5. Now, im planning to get just basic receiver (not the surround as i can hook up my 2 play 1’s in the rear to serve the purpose), then get a port.  This is my only hope now to improve my listening experience. :-(

        Belly M
        Belly M
        February 5, 2021

        As touched on by Kumar earlier in this thread...the TT is the weakest part of your system followed by the Jamo speakers. The cartridge is bottom line and whilst the turntable looks impressive on paper a cheaper TT from Rega will beat it.

         

        Before spending any money, find a hifi dealer who sells the Play 5 and turntables, taking your records along for a listen. You can’t connect the Play 1’s to a receiver.

         

        Records are Stereo, recorded and mixed in Stereo (or mono if old) so don’t try making them into  pseudo surround sound.

         

        For free.. The thing you could try is Truplay on the five if not already done so and physically move the sub so you have just the five, sub and TT playing.


        Good luck and bye

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