Connecting audio-technica AT-LP120-USB turntable to Sonos system

Thanks, GuitarSuperstar. I can move my Sonos 5 to the top of the cabinet unit where the turntable is and connect it with a USB Type B male  (turntable out) to 3.5mm male cable (Sonos line in). For not much more than the cost of Sonos Port I can buy a second Sonos 5 to place on the other side of the cabinet top for true stereo. I’m going to give this a try. I assume this will allow the turntable to play through any of my Sonos speakers on my WiFi system.

Adding the second Five to create a stereo pair is a great idea. A pair of Fives is Sonos’ best setup for listening to music IMO. And this setup will allow you to play the turntable audio to any Sonos speaker in your system.

Rather than using the USB to 3.5mm cable, you can use an RCA to 3.5mm cable.

It’s possible that you need to switch the internal pre-amplifier on the turntabel to “on”.

Thanks again, GuitarSuperstar. I found an adapter to come out of the turntable USB Type B port to a male USB Type A. But have been having trouble finding a cable to go from USB-A to correct 3.5mm plug; I think I need a TRS plug and they all seem to be TRRS. Not sure if this would be a problem. Same issue with RCA out to 3.5mm plug. Do you know the answer?

You just need an adapter like this:

https://www.amazon.com/RCA-Female-3-5mm-Male-Compatible/dp/B07WQJMKFT

When I google search the AT-LP120-USB it seems the turntable comes with a USB and an amplified RCA connection, see https://www.advancedmp3players.co.uk/audio-technica-at-lp120x-manual-direct-drive-turntable-analogue-usb that says there’s a “Detachable RCA output cable (dual RCA male to dual RCA male)” in the box.

Since Sonos only uses RCA and needs an amplified connection, why use the USB and not a simple RCA to minijack? To me this seems unnecessarily complicated.

Hi @Shanepro 

Welcome to the Sonos Community!

Just to expand on what @GuitarSuperstar and @106rallye have already said, if you use the USB connection, there will be a conversion from analogue to digital within the turntable, then a conversion back to analogue again at the cable, before the Five/Port then takes the analogue signal and converts it once more into digital for networked playback (the playback part of which involves one more conversion to analogue).

It will be much better to use the RCA connections, as suggested - you will get better sound, as there will only be one analogue-to-digital conversion.

I hope this helps.

So I landed on this thread for a similar question and bought a Port. I have it connected to my Audio Technica AP LT120 with the RCA cable and I play the turntable, nothing. The switch at the back is on “line” (not phono). 

I’m going nuts, I thought this would work and it’s not and I’m not sure what to do. 

Hi @amansterdam 

I took a quick look at your system in order to give you a specific example, but it seems your Port has the same name as the Home Theatre setup built by your Arc - I recommend not doing this (if only for clarity in the app). You could call it “Port”, for example. Settings » System » Living Room (the Port) » Room » Room Name and type another name.

Anyway, in order to play your turntable through the Arc, you’ll need to choose the Arc’s room (Living Room, but not the Port’s Living Room - see?) in the System page, then go to the Browse page with the music sources listed and choose the Line-In of the Port.

If this doesn’t work, I recommend you get in touch with our technical support team, who have tools at their disposal that will allow them to give you advice specific to your Sonos system and what it reports.

I hope this helps.