Port vs. Amp

If the speaker terminals of the receiver are wired to the inputs on the amp, the latter will be damaged via overload; but if the receiver has line out sockets, perhaps labelled Tape Out, these may be wired to those inputs on the amp. 

This would apply to Port as well, which is meant to be a input provider to the receiver.

What are you trying to achieve with these combinations?

Hi Kumar,
Thanks for your reply. I am wanting to know if I should purchase a Port or an Amp. I have an existing stereo system (turntable, tape deck, and receiver) and existing Sonos speaker system. I am wanting to have the output of the stereo system play to the Sonos speakers. I like the features of the Amp but I am concerned that the output from the stereo receiver (that originally went to the original stereo speakers) would not be suitable for the Amp. If so, then perhaps the Port is the more appropriate option?

The Port is what you need to buy.

The thing to do is to wire the Port analog outputs to the line in of the receiver that is marked CD or Tuner, and use the line in on the Port to receive input from the turntable. That way whatever is played on the turntable will be heard via the speakers attached to the receiver, as well as on other Sonos speakers.

There could be a complication here if the turntable does not have a phono preamp because it uses the one built into the receiver as part of the phono jack on the receiver…

Does the receiver have a tape out socket pair?

See if you can attach a photo of the rear panel of the receiver that has all the various sockets.

And I’m afraid you have a misunderstanding of the input nature of the two devices. Both, and frankly all Sonos devices that have an analog input require line level inputs, basically the same as you would get from a tape player, or a CD player. In fact, the turntable is close to the only class of device that doesn’t historically create a line level output, hence the creation of the ‘phono’ input on most receivers ever made. Those inputs are connected to a built in pre-amp, such as the type Kumar speaks of, which is available as an external device. 

There is a digital HDMI ARC input on the Sonos Amp, but beyond that, the major difference between the two is outputs. The Sonos Amp has speaker posts that can power standard speakers, the Port can easily be connected to a receiver to send and receive signal from it, and push Sonos data to that receiver in addition to receiving a signal from it. 

As Kumar suggests, the Port is what you should be getting, and connecting to a tape loop on your receiver.

That would address any complication of a phono preamp, but the sound from the Sonos speakers will have a slight lag as compared to the speakers wired to the receiver. If all are to be played at the same time, and can be heard across, this would not work well.

Wiring the turntable to the Port instead may call for a phono preamp in between, would have all speakers be in perfect sync, but with the tape deck left wired to the receiver, its output won't get to Sonos speakers.

The first option is available only if the receiver has tape out sockets.

I would recommend getting the Sonos Amp if your receiver has a tape output.  You will not need a phono preamp as you will be using the one in the receiver.  Let the Sonos Amp drive your loudspeakers, it is very good.  You will also be able to incorporate the other receiver based sources with the rest of your Sonos speakers and they will all play in sync with no lag.  All controlled from the Sonos App.

That’s an innovative use of the Amp, for a price higher than the Port, which reduces the receiver to just be a phono pre amp and a source switcher. But if the lag I referred to is an issue that has to be addressed, this is a good solution. 

OP to note what is perhaps obvious: the speakers connected to the receiver will have to be connected to the Sonos Amp speaker terminals.

Thank you all for your help and suggestions! You have provided interesting insights & solutions.
I am wanting to connect an old Yamaha receiver with both a phono input and an aux input. It also has input & output for two tape decks. It has connections for four speakers (two for “A” and two for “B”) such that I can direct sound to speakers A or B or A+B.
I don’t foresee me having Sonos speakers in the same room as the stereo system (stereo is in the basement rec room and the various Sonos speakers are in the rest of the house), so perhaps the Port will do the job.

Yes, and the way to add the Port is to wire the receiver Tape Out to Analog In on the Port. That way the turntable and tape deck can be left undisturbed, and whatever is being played on the receiver can be selected to play on Sonos speakers, wirelessly sent to them via Port. There will be a slight lag, but if the basement is sound wise isolated from them, that will not matter.