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Setting up line-in issues from Turntable phono amp to sound system

  • September 30, 2023
  • 7 replies
  • 485 views
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I have Beam + Sub + 2 x ERAs (set up as a surround system)

I also purchased a line-in adapter to attach a turntable to the system via one of the ERA 100s. (I have two as a back pair to act as surrounds.)

I could not then in Music (settings) see the line-in as a music source. So, playing around with the settings I unbonded the ERA 100s and then the music from the turntable came out of the line-in speaker (rear left). Checking the S2 app I then was able to see line-in in Music. However, as I said no music from the other ERA 100.

I then proceeded to set up the two ERA 100s as a stereo pair, but confusingly once completed the music came out of the Beam and not out of the ERA 100s.

So, I am very confused.

I just need to understand if I am doing something wrong. So:

  1. Do I always have to unbond the ERA 100s to get music to play from one ERA 100 only?
  2. Is there a way to get the line-in ERA 100 to pair with the 2nd ERA 100 to create a stereo pair to play music?
  3. Is there a solution to get the turntable to play through the complete system i.e. Beam + Sub + 2 x ERAs (the surround system)?

Thanks for your assistance.

Best answer by AjTrek1

You’ve gotten good advice from @Ken_Griffiths and @nik9669a.  If you want to utilize all speakers in the Home Theater as mentioned in your question #3; you can do the following:

Purchase a Sonos Port and select the room with the Arc, sub and surrounds as the default room to stream music from the TT over WiFi. However, given the price point of a Sonos Port vs Sonos Five I’d purchase the Five, connect the TT to it via line-in and group it to the room with the Arc to get TT audio. The upside is that you’d have a dedicated speaker for the TT for private listening and when desired you can group it to the Arc setup.

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7 replies

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  • nik9669a
  • Senior Virtuoso
  • 5527 replies
  • September 30, 2023

When used as surrounds the linein input is disabled on the Eras. 
When they are an independent room, you can play the linein source to any speaker. That can play independently from the room the Eras are in, and it sounds like that’s how you have them playing. You can group the rooms, to have the turntable play to both rooms, or just to the Era room. 

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    ChrisJL_2005
Ken_Griffiths

@ChrisJL_2005,

Rather than unbonding/bonding surrounds to use the Era line-in with your TT, I would personally consider adding another Sonos speaker with line-in to your system and utilise it with the TT to play to any/every room - maybe the new Move 2 perhaps, as that can also bring BT audio sources to Sonos, aswell as being used as a portable speaker in and around the Home.

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    ChrisJL_2005
AjTrek1
  • AjTrek1
  • 6565 replies
  • Answer
  • October 1, 2023

You’ve gotten good advice from @Ken_Griffiths and @nik9669a.  If you want to utilize all speakers in the Home Theater as mentioned in your question #3; you can do the following:

Purchase a Sonos Port and select the room with the Arc, sub and surrounds as the default room to stream music from the TT over WiFi. However, given the price point of a Sonos Port vs Sonos Five I’d purchase the Five, connect the TT to it via line-in and group it to the room with the Arc to get TT audio. The upside is that you’d have a dedicated speaker for the TT for private listening and when desired you can group it to the Arc setup.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
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    ChrisJL_2005
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  • ChrisJL_2005
  • Author
  • Contributor I
  • 1 reply
  • October 1, 2023

Thanks to everyone for their advice.  I am completely new to Sonos having had Denon kit previously  

II had chosen the line in approach primarily to minimise the amount of kit in my lounge (I have moved away from full AV amp and wired speakers to appease my wife desire for simplicity!). So having a separate speaker just for the turntable in the room ‘won’t fly’ as a solution. 
So it does seem that the Sonos port is the most discreet solution as it can sit adjacent to the turntable in a separate cabinet which already house the TT pre-amp. 
 

but can anyone explain why when I stereo  paired the two Eras after getting one attached to the line-in it resulted in the sound coming out of the Beam.  It makes no sense. 
 

Thanks. 

106rallye
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  • 106rallye
  • 6138 replies
  • October 1, 2023

You probably had the Era’s grouped with the Beam. See https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/group-and-ungroup-rooms?language=en_US

buzz
  • buzz
  • 23889 replies
  • October 1, 2023

Unlike conventional audio equipment, a SONOS Line-In does not automatically patch through its speaker. Line-In is simply a resource on the network that can play on any combination of speakers. Just like any other music source, Line-In must be specifically selected to play on a speaker. If you want the turntable too play on the ERA’s, select the ERA’s Line-In as the source for the ERA’s.

AjTrek1
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  • AjTrek1
    AjTrek1
AjTrek1
  • AjTrek1
  • 6565 replies
  • October 1, 2023

Hi

Glad you liked my suggestion to consider the Sonos Port to add TT audio to your Sonos system.

Given that you previously had a Denon AV receiver I assume there were two main speakers up-front (Left/Right). I’ll further ASSUME you are accustom to stereo listening for TT audio (I prefer the same).

In the Sonos world with any setup of a Sonos soundbar, sub and surrounds when playing music from any source all speakers deliver the audio. Explained...the Arc and Era’s will deliver the same audio placing the listener in a surround effect which is not traditional stereo with left/right speakers. Bottom-line it depends upon if you are a stereo “purist” or not. Some really like the surround effect for music in a Sonos home theater setup.

Full disclosure you can set the rear Era’s to play at ambient (much like in surround mode for movies) rather than full stereo for music. The Arc will be the dominant speaker heard by the listener. IMO the Arc does OK with music but not the same as dedicated left/right stereo speakers. I have Fives x 2 flanking my Arc (HT setup) for dedicated stereo sound for music. 

I don’t know where your TT is located in your space (front/rear/left/right) but I (again) ASSUME that it rests on a cabinet top with the Pre-Amp located inside below it. If the location (of the TT)  is toward the front and there is enough room inside the cabinet you still may want to consider the Five for dedicated TT audio. You could open the cabinet doors to hear the TT audio from the Five.

Again (full disclosure) the Five is a single speaker which may not have the same dynamics as your HT setup. On the other hand the Five is advertised; by Sonos, as the preferred companion speaker with a TT (see it here).

I know “wives” can be a bit un-relenting regarding their ideal look for room aesthetics. LOL 😂

To close..I just wanted you to know what the TT audio may sound like coming through your Arc, sub and surrounds. FYi, the Five has outstanding low-end although not on the same level as a sub.

Enjoy your Sonos!

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
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