7 Facts: Era 100 x 2 vs Port for Turntable

Perhaps it’s worthwhile also mentioning the purchase price of the Sonos audio adapters that’s needed with the Era 100 line-in, as that does slightly increase their cost too.

• https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/sonos-line-in-adapter
• https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/sonos-combo-adapter

It’s also notable that a Sonos Port has both an analog and digital line-out port that can be used with other devices, such as Bluetooth Transmitters/Headphone Amps etc.

The Sonos Port I have here allows me to use both my Turntable as input and Sony Headphones with the Sonos App, which I cannot achieve with an Era device. So it’s sometimes a case of ‘Horses for courses’ …and maybe it’s not all about the overall cost. 

I’m confused.  Is it facts or opinions?  😁

I do agree that what you’ve stated is 100% accurate.  However, I don’t think Port or 2 Era 100s are the only viable options.

If you want the cheapest possible way, then Roam is the best option with it’s bluetooth input capabilities. If your TT can’t transmit over bluetooth, you can get a separate bluetooth transmitter.

If you want  the cheapest wired connection, then a single Era 100 w/adpater is the way to go.  This also give you bluetooth and a stereo speaker, although not stereo separate you’d get with a pair of Era 100s.

If you want the best aesthetic option, then a Port makes sense.  There are people that want to have a nice looking clean setup without a speaker that you aren’t using as a speaker sitting next to your turntable (and you can’t hide it somewhere) then maybe a Port.

There are also turntables that can wirelessly connect to your Sonos system.  Here is a crazy option , and here’s one that’s not so crazy.

If you have a sonos home theatre setup, then you could also route the turntable audio through the TV.  It’s not at all an elegant solution, and probably not at all ideal for most people, but it can be done.

And I agree with Ken’s point that other features you’re interested in should play a factor in what makes sense for you.  If you have a need for large portable speaker too, for example, then getting a Move 2 makes sense.

Hi

Respectfully, I don’t think a Port or Roam is an optimal option for a Turntable. Here’s why…

IMO a direct connection to a Sonos speaker is always the best option for a turntable which is analog.

The Port requires sending a signal to a Sonos speaker over Wi-Fi which means it’s subject to possible interference.

Roam requires a Bluetooth connection. I believe we can agree that Bluetooth is not the best and less reliable than Wi-Fi

Therefore IMHO a wired direct connection is best especially for an analog source. So in addition to Era 100’s I’ll add the Era 300 and Five. Of course price may be deciding factor among the three (3).

FYI, I question the fidelity of Bluetooth turntables for serious vinyl listening. 

You state: “I don’t think a Port or Roam is an optimal option for a Turntable. Here’s why…

IMO a direct connection to a Sonos speaker is always the best option for a turntable which is analog.”

I question this. The first thing Sonos does to an analogue signal is making a digital signal out of it - the same digital signal Sonos uses for all other communication. Why would the way this signal is transported - directly inside a speaker in the case of an Era speaker or through WiFi in the case of the Port (a good WiFi connection is needed of course) have a noticeable adverse effect on thes sound?

@106rallye

Here’s what I said about Wi-Fi…

“The Port requires sending a signal to a Sonos speaker over Wi-Fi which means it’s subject to possible interference.”

What I didn’t say was that there would be a “noticeable adverse effect” as you wrote in your response which implies that I was advocating that the sonics are degraded.

Any signal traveling over “airwaves” is vulnerable to interference. Given the 100’s of posts related to Wi-Fi inference in this community I’d think that an obvious possibility. Granted if one has a stable robust network the possibilities are greatly reduced. 

TBH, I stream a lot of music but in all honesty I can’t say I’ve never had a studder and I believe I have a stable and robust network. Especially so given that I once stressed my network with 32 Sonos units grouped for 30 minutes without a hiccup.  

So, FWIW...I’m only offering my opinion. I just prefer a wired connection for my turntable. FYI my setup is as follows…

• Pro-Ject Carbon Debut Sonos Edition
• Cambridge Alva Duo Pre-Amp
• Sonos Amp
• Definitive D7 Book Shelf Speakers
• Sonos Gen 3 Sub *

I went “old school” as much as possible with my setup. I’ve been listening to vinyl as an adult since the late 1960’s. So, I think I have a little bit of experience/history waaaaay before anything wireless existed outside of TV/radio 😂. Awww….rabbit ear antennae and good old static interference...you gotta believe! 🤣

 * Yes, it’s a wireless signal however, it’s transmitted via the fast 5Ghz generated by the Sonos Amp and the crossover matches that of the D7’s. Furthermore the separation (Amp/Sub) is approximately 3 feet.