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Alonzo Mosley
Headliner I
June 5, 2018

Going From 1978 to 2018 In One Fell Swoop

I have skimmed many of the "What should I buy" answers in this forum, but still don't have a clear picture of what I need. But I do know what I'd like to accomplish.

Basically, my wife hated the Advent Legacy II's we bought in 1991 and talked me into Paradigm bookshelf speakers in '06. Now she hates seeing speaker wire string along the floorboard everywhere... So I suspect a Sonos system, of some type, is what I need.

Here is what I would like:

* Stereo speakers in the living room
* Stereo speakers in the family room (two floors away)
* A speaker (I'm OK with mono) in the master bath
* A speaker (again, mono is OK) on the roof deck

1) I would like to have them all access my component system - an amplifier, Eq, CD player, and turntable.
2) I believe that, by virtue of being Sonos, they'd each be able to access my Sirius and Pandora accounts.
3) I would love to have them access my iTunes library. I am willing to let it sit on a dedicated PC (the entire library isn't on any individual handheld device - OK, I have an Android phone).

I presume the living room and family room speakers should be -3s or -5s, yes? And I'm probably OK with a -1 in the master bath. What could go on a roof deck? (Are there any rechargeable options - so I don't have to run power up to the roof?)

I know the 5s can handle a line in, but if I do that - that means ONLY that 5 can play the components, right? So do I need to connect the component to a CONNECT? And then that will route to whatever rooms are necessary?

I know I can't control the CD changer (or flip a record) with the Sonos app, but I can route a component system to multiple rooms and adjust the volume with the app on a device, correct?

OK, let's talk iTunes. Like I said, I'm happy to put my 120GB library on a PC and push from that to the system. Is there a way to control iTunes with an app? So the interface sits on a device, even though the music files are on a server? I guess it doesn't *have* to be iTunes - just something that will play AAC files (and ideally import Playlists).

My only experience with Sonos was in a streaming-only household. They had a speaker in the upstairs teevee room and one down in the living room. Everything was controlled with an app - but it was only the services that they subscribed to (Sirius, Pandora, Amazon Music).

Thanks in advance. Let me warn you in advance - I'm a cranky old man who doesn't do well with vague technospeak! Answer with acronyms and abbreviations, and you can kiss your frisbee goodbye...

Thanks!
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17 replies

airforceteacher
Headliner I
June 7, 2018
For outdoors, the only really good way to do it is to put a Connect:Amp somewhere climate controlled and dry, and run speaker wire. Is there anywhere near the rooftop deck that meets that description, maybe an attic that has a power outlet in it? My house was thankfully wired for outdoor speakers already, back to the same shelf as the other stereo equipment, so I could hook up my ZP100 easily.
Alonzo Mosley
Headliner I
June 7, 2018
It's a rental, I don't even know if there's a power outlet.... can't get in til next month.... but I'm traveling through a state with no sales tax right now, so that's like a ten percent discount right there.....
Dan: You're gonna need to get someone to fix my computer. Kim: What's wrong with it? Dan: It's in several pieces on my floor.
Alonzo Mosley
Headliner I
June 11, 2018
Thanks everyone for advice. I am picking up a Connect, two 3's and two 1's on Tuesday.

Setup question - let me know if I should start a new thread.

I have a Phono and CD that go into an amp/receiver. The "Tape Out" on the receiver goes into an equalizer, which goes back into the amp's "Tape In". So I listen "live" through tape monitor. I have had this eq, literally, for 37 years - it's in its fifth amplifier, but it has always been wired that way.

I noticed the Connect has two RCA line inputs. If I run the line out from the Eq into the Connect, then I lose volume control on the amplifier. But that's probably a moot point, because right now the volume control drives the living room speakers, but I'm about to blow up that paradigm and have speakers all over the place that can be controlled remotely.

So I'm worried about nothing, right? I use the amp to control the physical media inputs (tuner, CD, phono, cassette) and devices to control volume.


airforceteacher (Can I call you "Professor Airman"?) - you said you have a dedicated Kindle for guests. I could also, presumably, pick up a cheap burner phone for the same purpose, right? It doesn't need a SIM to connect to WiFi, and that's all I need... Right? And then that just sits in a drawer to be a remote...
Dan: You're gonna need to get someone to fix my computer. Kim: What's wrong with it? Dan: It's in several pieces on my floor.
Eddie the Eagle
Collaborator II
June 11, 2018
Alonzo, I have a P5, a P3 and Multilpe P1`s. I would consider the P5 and not the P3. The P5 is 2nd generation and comparing the sound to P3 it is a world of difference. You could start with only one and see the effect; if you really want the stereo, then yes a second P5 is needed.
To say that his style is unorthodox would be something of an understatement, but it obviously works for him.
Alonzo Mosley
Headliner I
June 11, 2018
Shoot. I already paid for the 3's!
Dan: You're gonna need to get someone to fix my computer. Kim: What's wrong with it? Dan: It's in several pieces on my floor.
Eddie the Eagle
Collaborator II
June 11, 2018
I guess you have consumer right to change right, in case you prefer P5, did you listen to both ? In any means I would still want the Sonos Connect as well (got one too). Not for the legacy system towards Connect (works also the way you describe) but the other way around , so from Connect towards legacy system. That`s my setup, the Connect integrates the existing system in Sonos.
To say that his style is unorthodox would be something of an understatement, but it obviously works for him.
airforceteacher
Headliner I
June 11, 2018

airforceteacher (Can I call you "Professor Airman"?) - you said you have a dedicated Kindle for guests. I could also, presumably, pick up a cheap burner phone for the same purpose, right? It doesn't need a SIM to connect to WiFi, and that's all I need... Right? And then that just sits in a drawer to be a remote...


That's right, as long as it has WiFi and is connected to the network the Sonos devices are connected to.