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Question

Cheapest ways to add a turntable

  • March 2, 2026
  • 17 replies
  • 140 views

Our house music system is a combination of Play 1 and 3 (generation that works with current app I think 2).

We’d like to add a turntable as cheaply as possible without sacrificing music quality, probably secondhand from eBay. 

What would you suggest? 

My partner has bidding on Play 5 Gen 2 but these get quite expensive even used. Will other Sonos components connect to a turntable?

The other aspect is I’m finding fewer apps are connecting directly to the Sonos system, I have to play via the Sonos app. Which is the cheapest/oldest speaker/component that connects to Airplay? 

17 replies

Stanley_4
  • Grand Maestro
  • March 2, 2026

I'd lean to an Era-100 and the line-in adaptor.

https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/listen-to-your-turntable-on-sonos

A newer version (S2 compatible) Connect would work but is pretty old gear.


AjTrek1
  • March 2, 2026

The options to connect a turntable to Sonos are:

  • Play 5 (Gen 2)_Discontinued *
  • Five *
  • Era 300 *
  • Era 100 *
  • Sonos Port
  • Connect (Gen 2)_Discontinued
  • Move 2 *

Obviously, the Era 100 is the least expensive. However, the audio is not as bold as the Play 5. As far as apps connecting exactly what apps are involved?

 * These connect via Sonos line-in which is simple and direct.


Schlumpf
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  • Virtuoso
  • March 2, 2026

@JennyPlaylists 

Best deal for a used airplay compatible speaker imo would be a Sonos One.

To connect a turntable via line in I recommend a used Sonos Connect that is S2 compatible (production date 2015 or earlier). 
 

You also could combine airplay and line in in one device for example with the Play5 Gen2 or an Era100 (plus additional line in adapter cable). 


tnprime
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  • Trending Lyricist I
  • March 2, 2026
  • Sonos Connect S2 on ebay 
  • Amazon Phono Pre-amp if needed. 


The least expensive and most practical solution is to add a Sonos DAC like the older Sonos Connect S2 which run from $50-150 on ebay. (Keep in mind there’s an S1 version to avoid which is likely too old and incompatible with with the current range of software.)

If you like or click the 🖤 on a Buy-it-Now item prior to purchasing something on Ebay which adds the item to your watch list, Ebay will encourage the seller to offer you a discount. Sometimes these are pretty good 10-20% off and you might get the offer in a day or so. Worth remembering. 

Additionally if your turntable doesn’t provide a Line-out, instead Phono-out you’ll need an RIAA phono pre-amp between the turntable and Sonos Connect S2 unit. Phono pre-amps run the gamut price-wise but a host of capable ones can be found on Amazon for between $15-100 for those on a budget.  

So IMO, do not try and go bluetooth or Airplay, the perceived convenience will prove a pain in the butt longterm. 


Airgetlam
  • March 2, 2026

@AjTrek1 , does the Roam 2 include a line in?


Forum|alt.badge.img+3
  • March 2, 2026

Agree with the era 100 suggestion. That’s what I have and it works well (I actually set it to broadcast automatically to my arc surround setup so I never actually play music in the era 100 itself).

I have a cheapish vinyl player that can produce a line level output that doesn’t need a preamp.

works very well

 


AjTrek1
  • March 2, 2026

@AjTrek1 , does the Roam 2 include a line in?

Oops...my mistake. I Corrected the post.


Schlumpf
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  • Virtuoso
  • March 2, 2026

@AjTrek1 , does the Roam 2 include a line in?

Oops...my mistake. I Corrected the post.

I think Move 1 also does not. 


Airgetlam
  • March 2, 2026

You may be right, looking at an Amazon listing doesn’t show an input, and there’s no indication in the text that the USB power source allows such. I don’t own either of them (the Roam Gen 2 or the Move gen 1), so I can’t be certain. 


Forum|alt.badge.img+5
  • Avid Contributor III
  • March 2, 2026

I connect three different ways:

Play:5 Gen 1 - Connect directly via line in.

Era 300 - Connect using Sonos USB C connector.

Port - Connected to powered bookshelf speakers.


Airgetlam
  • March 2, 2026

The Port, I’m assuming you use the RCA connection?


Forum|alt.badge.img+5
  • Avid Contributor III
  • March 3, 2026

The Port, I’m assuming you use the RCA connection?

Correct!


  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • March 3, 2026

The options to connect a turntable to Sonos are:

  • Play 5 (Gen 2)_Discontinued *
  • Five *
  • Era 300 *
  • Era 100 *
  • Sonos Port
  • Connect (Gen 2)_Discontinued
  • Move 2 *

Obviously, the Era 100 is the least expensive. However, the audio is not as bold as the Play 5. As far as apps connecting exactly what apps are involved?

 * These connect via Sonos line-in which is simple and direct.

Thanks to all. I’ll create an eBay search which combines these. Eg Sonos ((Play 5, Five, Era 100, Era 300, Move 2))


Stanley_4
  • Grand Maestro
  • March 3, 2026

Don't forget the S2 newer than 2015 Connect, seeing them for a bit over $100


Forum|alt.badge.img+5
  • Avid Contributor III
  • March 3, 2026

The options to connect a turntable to Sonos are:

  • Play 5 (Gen 2)_Discontinued *
  • Five *
  • Era 300 *
  • Era 100 *
  • Sonos Port
  • Connect (Gen 2)_Discontinued
  • Move 2 *

Obviously, the Era 100 is the least expensive. However, the audio is not as bold as the Play 5. As far as apps connecting exactly what apps are involved?

 * These connect via Sonos line-in which is simple and direct.

Thanks to all. I’ll create an eBay search which combines these. Eg Sonos ((Play 5, Five, Era 100, Era 300, Move 2))

Be sure and check Poshmark. I’ve found some crazy cheap prices on Sonos stuff there. Connect (S2) $60 and a Port (S2) for $173.


  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • March 3, 2026

We don’t have that here anymore unfortunately (I’m in the UK). ​@bryantsf 


Stanley_4
  • Grand Maestro
  • March 3, 2026

If you like thrift shops, flea markets, estate and driveway sales you can score some real deals.