Sonos alternatives for Speakers

[Rick101]

Hi,

I know there are a few dealers on here, any advice from anyone appreciated.
Wondering if anyone can give me any solutions that would be better than Sonos.

I'm looking for an amplifier to drive my D80 Tannoys. I use Spotify Premium as the source.

I currently have a couple of other Sonos units, a 5 and a 3. Whilst I tend to only listen to one at a time (not grouped) I do like to be able to carry on listening seamlessly if I move from one part of the house to another.

I was planning on the Connect Amp, but I think this has now been replaced with a new, I think more powerful amp, in black, which is preferable.
It was about £600 iirc which is making me wonder if there are better options.

Thanks

Edited by Rick101 on Tuesday 13th November 13:52

[Rick101]

Thanks for the reply.

I'll look into those. I'm conscious a single Sonos unit could cost the same as another brands entire solution.

May well come back to you come the time.

Thanks.

[Rick101]

Hmm, I think that closer to the 'cheaper' solution I was considering.

I guess I could plug the CA into my existing amp. I think Spotify phone app now can steam directly to that CA.
I already have a old style chromecast plugged into a Yamaha Soundbar which works for anything cast from the phone and also forwards video to telly.

Just wondering if it would them be worthwhile keeping the other two Sonos play units or replacing with some basic cheap small speakers which i could plug the CA straight into without the faff of an amplifier.

I guess you name the CA's individually and can only cast to one at a time??

[Rick101]

I think that is what is putting me off.

I'm already invested in Sonos. I like it, it works great but the more you buy, the more tied you become.
Much like Apple, it's hard to get away from.

I prob could pick up a used Sonos Amp for £250. I'm hoping it would be sufficient to power the Tannoy.
https://www.hifidatabase.com/Detailed/Tannoy_638_P...
I think it's the sensitivity that's relevant, 91db.

I suppose I could sell off the existing units. I then need 3 CA or 2 integrated speakers, JBL seem popular, plus be left with a big ugly amp for the main room.
I'm not sure there would be a great financial benefit or more importantly a functionality benefit.

[Rick101]

stargazer30 said:

If you have spotify connect (premium) then this is pretty easy really. I run a decent quality Marantz AV amp for my main setup in the living room driving some B&W floorstanders. The amp has connect built in. Then I can simply switch on the phone to any of the connect enabled speakers in the rest of the house (I assume sonos supports this too). I am using some cheap Jam audio speakers for the kitchen and office. They do a good job for the price.

Do I understand correctly? Your Amp has a Sonos connect built in? Which amp is this please?
Rereading I'm not sure what you mean by Connect?
Connect is a Sonos product
Spotify premium is needed to make use of Sonos.

Edited by Rick101 on Thursday 15th November 05:53

[Rick101]

Couple of thoughts, the one function I regularly use, almost daily on the Sonos app is the sleep timer. I sometimes use the alarm function.
I also like to listen to various stations though the Radio by Tune in, Radio Paradise, World Service News etc.

As far as I know the timers are not available in the Spotify app. not sure why, I would have thought fairly easy to program.
Also I don't think they have broadcast radio, just their own playlists.

I was leaning towards the Chromecast solution but it may be that only Sonos currently has the functionality I want.


With regard to Connect Amp (old)
Sonos advise - The Connect:Amp will power a stereo pair of speakers rated between 4 - 16 ohms directly using raw speaker wire, or 2 stereo pairs of speakers rated at exactly 8 ohms.

Hi Fi database says for my speakers - Nominal / minimum impedance: 6 Ohm / 4 Ohm

So looks okay, though I thought wattage had something to do with it too?

Edited by Rick101 on Thursday 15th November 07:26

[Rick101]

Ahh okay.

Sort of aware of Spotify Connect and have used it to play stuff directly from Spotify app to either my Chromecast/soundbar or to various Sonos speakers.
Hadn't realised it actually had a product name being Connect.

[Rick101]

Ahh, top man. Yes that would be handy to have a play and see how things are setup.

I'm away for a week working on my tan but will get in touch when I'm back and we'll sort something.

Much appreciated.