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need a solution to play vinyl with 2 era100 + Beam + sub mini (the app disables my line-in!)

  • March 2, 2024
  • 16 replies
  • 802 views
J

Hey all, 

ive read most of the articles that relate to my issue and connected sonos support but i dont have a direct answer so im trying here. 

my setup:

  • 2 x era 100
  • 1 sub mini
  • 1 beam
  • 1 project turntable with pre-amp and the necessary line-out to connect to the era 100

basically, imagine a large rectangle room with a vinyl player at one end of the room and a TV at the other end. I began with the vinyl player, 2 x ERA’s and the sub mini at one end of the room for which i used the line-in input on the ERA’s to play my vinyl. i also set this up as “living room” in the app

I then added the beam because i wanted to add sound to the other end of the room (next to the TV) but also introduce surround sound to my system. to do this on the app,  i first had to break apart my current “living room” setup then create a new surround sound “living room”.

the surround system works perfectly and sounds great (for both TV and music) but by doing this meant that the ERA’s line-in input became de-activated - meaning that i cant use my turntable anymore. (i think its because the ERA’s in a surround system turn into “slave” speakers that are driven by the Beam). 

so my question - how do i add my turntable to this system without going through the faff of ‘breaking apart’ different room setups on the APP everytime i want to use the turntable?

will the port /connect work for this or will those inputs be disabled too?

Best answer by 106rallye

@Stanley_4 You would have to un- and replug the Beam every time you’d want to use the turntable? Would this converter supply the HDMI-ARC the Beam expects (I cannot follow the link without changing the country setting for Amazon, so haven’t seen the page? 

@jaghawk For future readers: the app does not disable the line-in, the devices do that. The app is just a remote to the system.

Your least expensive option would be buying an extra Era 100 with the Sonos adapter. A, more expensive, Sonos Port would also do the tric.

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16 replies

N
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  • nik9669a
  • Senior Virtuoso
  • March 2, 2024

The only way, without splitting your home cinema system, is to add a Sonos device with line-in. You can then group that speaker with your cinema system to hear the music there. Set the surrounds to full audio for best results.
You’ll need a preamp too, if your tt doesn’t output at line-in signal level. 

Airgetlam
Schlumpf
Stanley_4
  • Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • March 3, 2024

Would something like this let you go from the turntable to the Beam’s input?

Add an HDMI switch to choose music or TV?

https://www.amazon.com/Converter-Composite-Compatible-Blue-Ray-3-3ft/dp/B0BQB96NKZ/ref=sxin_14_pa_sp_search_thematic

 

Can’t find an audio conversion spec on it though.

106rallye
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  • 106rallye
  • Answer
  • March 3, 2024

@Stanley_4 You would have to un- and replug the Beam every time you’d want to use the turntable? Would this converter supply the HDMI-ARC the Beam expects (I cannot follow the link without changing the country setting for Amazon, so haven’t seen the page? 

@jaghawk For future readers: the app does not disable the line-in, the devices do that. The app is just a remote to the system.

Your least expensive option would be buying an extra Era 100 with the Sonos adapter. A, more expensive, Sonos Port would also do the tric.

Schlumpf
Forum|alt.badge.img+18
  • Schlumpf
  • Virtuoso
  • March 3, 2024

Best way imho too would be another device with line in. But if you want to avoid that however why, as a workaround it could be managed via toslink connection. Converting to HDMI ARC would be difficult to find some hardware for. 
So if you can accept your soundbar working on optical connection without dolby atmos, you could use the Sonos adapter and a cheap toslink switch to get several optical inputs. One could be audio from the turntable if possible. That requires a turntable with digital out, a AD converter if turntable has got line out or in worst case a special pre amp with digital out. 
And be aware that audio that way is played in tv mode. 
I did such with my old Playbar and a cd player wirh optical out and it worked and sounded quite good. 
But with a turntable getting a digital signal probably will be the main issue as most devices don’t offer digital out. 

Ralf
N
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  • nik9669a
  • Senior Virtuoso
  • March 3, 2024

Best way imho too would be another device with line in. But if you want to avoid that however why, as a workaround it could be managed via toslink connection. Converting to HDMI ARC would be difficult to find some hardware for. 
So if you can accept your soundbar working on optical connection without dolby atmos, you could use the Sonos adapter and a cheap toslink switch to get several optical inputs. One could be audio from the turntable if possible. That requires a turntable with digital out, a AD converter if turntable has got line out or in worst case a special pre amp with digital out. 
And be aware that audio that way is played in tv mode. 
I did such with my old Playbar and a cd player wirh optical out and it worked and sounded quite good. 
But with a turntable getting a digital signal probably will be the main issue as most devices don’t offer digital out. 

Bear in mind that with audio-only through the tv input to the Beam, it’s quite possible that only the Beam will play, not the rear 100’s. There’s no “surround” data in the music signal so the Beam may not process the signal as anything other than front-speaker data. 

Airgetlam
Schlumpf
Stanley_4
  • Stanley_4
  • Lead Maestro
  • March 4, 2024

@Stanley_4 You would have to un- and replug the Beam every time you’d want to use the turntable? Would this converter supply the HDMI-ARC the Beam expects (I cannot follow the link without changing the country setting for Amazon, so haven’t seen the page?

Using an HDMI switch would remove the need to plug and unplug.

I’m not sure about the eARC output, the suggested TOS option might be better.

J
  • jaghawk
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • March 4, 2024

@Stanley_4 You would have to un- and replug the Beam every time you’d want to use the turntable? Would this converter supply the HDMI-ARC the Beam expects (I cannot follow the link without changing the country setting for Amazon, so haven’t seen the page? 

@jaghawk For future readers: the app does not disable the line-in, the devices do that. The app is just a remote to the system.

Your least expensive option would be buying an extra Era 100 with the Sonos adapter. A, more expensive, Sonos Port would also do the tric.

Hey thats what im thinking … however, im not sure the port is supported … i think ill need the amp or the old connect - has anyone used this in this configuration before?

To the other responses - thanks for your responses … it seems there is no easy solution without doing some hack job with a HDMI converter (concerned about losing sound quality this way too) … so im hoping that the connect / amp will do the trick.

106rallye
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  • 106rallye
  • March 4, 2024

The Amp (and older Connect:amp) has amplification (whence its name). The Port (and older Connect) has not. Do you use passive speakers?

J
  • jaghawk
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • March 4, 2024

The Amp (and older Connect:amp) has amplification (whence its name). The Port (and older Connect) has not. Do you use passive speakers?

hey, so i only have 2 era 100’s and the project TT connected to the pre-amp … ill get an old connect from ebay and test it … hoping that this will solve it (maybe this might negate the need for the project preamp too?)

jgatie
  • jgatie
  • March 4, 2024

hey, so i only have 2 era 100’s and the project TT connected to the pre-amp … ill get an old connect from ebay and test it … hoping that this will solve it (maybe this might negate the need for the project preamp too?)

 

Using any Sonos Line-In connection with a turntable requires a preamp.  Standard turntable output is RIAA mastered to increase LP capacity and minimize needle/groove wear.  You must apply a phono preamp stage to convert this RIAA mastering to standard Line-In.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA_equalization

J
melvimbe
  • melvimbe
  • March 4, 2024

@Stanley_4 You would have to un- and replug the Beam every time you’d want to use the turntable? Would this converter supply the HDMI-ARC the Beam expects (I cannot follow the link without changing the country setting for Amazon, so haven’t seen the page?

Using an HDMI switch would remove the need to plug and unplug.

I’m not sure about the eARC output, the suggested TOS option might be better.

 

The ARC/eARC capabilities are not relevant if you’re running the audio through the TV.  Presumably, converting the audio to HDMI will then allow the TV to convert that audio to HDMI-ARC and send it to your Beam.  Your TV is essentially your HDMI switch in this scenario.

If your TV has analog RCA inputs already, then you might not even need the separate convertor box.  However, I would not be surprised at all if your TV is incable of converting the audio from analog to digital and sending it on through HDMI-ARC, as few users would need that feature.  They could easily get away without only supporting HDMI-ARC via streaming app or HDMI sources.

Danny
J
  • jaghawk
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • March 4, 2024

@Stanley_4 You would have to un- and replug the Beam every time you’d want to use the turntable? Would this converter supply the HDMI-ARC the Beam expects (I cannot follow the link without changing the country setting for Amazon, so haven’t seen the page?

Using an HDMI switch would remove the need to plug and unplug.

I’m not sure about the eARC output, the suggested TOS option might be better.

 

The ARC/eARC capabilities are not relevant if you’re running the audio through the TV.  Presumably, converting the audio to HDMI will then allow the TV to convert that audio to HDMI-ARC and send it to your Beam.  Your TV is essentially your HDMI switch in this scenario.

If your TV has analog RCA inputs already, then you might not even need the separate convertor box.  However, I would not be surprised at all if your TV is incable of converting the audio from analog to digital and sending it on through HDMI-ARC, as few users would need that feature.  They could easily get away without only supporting HDMI-ARC via streaming app or HDMI sources.

ill try that but i guess i would need the TV on everytime i use the TT? but dont forget that my TV is at least 8 meters away from the TT ( so i would need to route a long HDMI / RCA cable … even if they exist)

Schlumpf
Forum|alt.badge.img+18
  • Schlumpf
  • Virtuoso
  • March 4, 2024

I really don’t recommend converting turntables analogue signal to hdmi digital as most cheap AD converter are of low quality. 
@jaghawk 

If you are looking for a cheap used Sonos connect, make sure it’s a S2 compatible one (production date 2015 or newer… the one with play/pause button instead od mute). If money isn’t an issue, a new Sonos Port would do the same job. 

Ralf
Stanley_4
AjTrek1
  • AjTrek1
  • March 6, 2024

Hi

I’m not being sarcastic in this comment just making a point and what I think is a better use of your money...

  1. Fact: You can’t connect a turntable to surrounds as the line-in is disabled
  2. Fact: Port is designed to bring Sonos to an existing stereo/amp setup. Click this link for Sonos marketing.
  3. Fact: Port sells for $449-USD
  4. Fact: Era 100 x 2 sell for $498-USD
  5. Fact: Era 100 x 2 costs only $49 more than a Port
  6. Fact: Era 100 x 2 provides full stereo when connected to a turntable via line-in to enjoy your vinyl_IMO a better value vs Port
  7. Fact: A pre-amp for the turntable is required with either option (i.e built-in to turntable or 3rd party purchase) 

The above is JMHO.  In the end it’s your money to spend as you like 😊.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
J
  • jaghawk
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • March 7, 2024

Hi

I’m not being sarcastic in this comment just making a point and what I think is a better use of your money...

  1. Fact: You can’t connect a turntable to surrounds as the line-in is disabled
  2. Fact: Port is designed to bring Sonos to an existing stereo/amp setup. Click this link for Sonos marketing.
  3. Fact: Port sells for $449-USD
  4. Fact: Era 100 x 2 sell for $498-USD
  5. Fact: Era 100 x 2 costs only $49 more than a Port
  6. Fact: Era 100 x 2 provides full stereo when connected to a turntable via line-in to enjoy your vinyl_IMO a better value vs Port
  7. Fact: A pre-amp for the turntable is required with either option (i.e built-in to turntable or 3rd party purchase) 

The above is JMHO.  In the end it’s your money to spend as you like 😊.

i appreciate what your saying, but to inlcude another 2 ERA’s in a room which already has 2 ERA’s will be a bit of a nightmare … i dont even think i have enough power outlets for that many. 

im currently bidding on an old Sonos Connect (that works with the s2) app as i think that this would be the best solution ….

i cant understand why they price the port that much either 

J
  • jaghawk
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • March 18, 2024

hello all. 

Firstly, sorry for my delayed response. 

so the solution is very simple- i bought a Sonos Connect from ebay for £120 then connected that to my pre-amp (for which is connected to my turntable) and it all works perfectly!

i thought about adding another speaker but would struggle to fit in my room where as the connect is small enough to hide it within the cabinet that holds the turntable. 

thanks for all your suggestions 

 

106rallye
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