How To Play Turntable On Sonos – A Step-By-Step Guide

Are you a vinyl enthusiast looking to integrate your turntable into your Sonos system?

Look no further!

In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to connect your turntable to your Sonos speakers and enjoy the warm, rich sound of vinyl throughout your home.

Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or just starting out with vinyl, we’ve got you covered.

From choosing the right cables to setting up your Sonos components, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get started.

So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of turntables on Sonos.

How To Play Turntable On Sonos

To play your turntable on Sonos, you’ll need a few things: a turntable, a Sonos component with an input, and the right cables to connect everything together.

First, make sure your turntable has a built-in phono preamp. This is essential for amplifying the low-level signal from your cartridge to a level that will work with your speakers. If your turntable doesn’t have a built-in preamp, you’ll need to purchase one separately.

Next, choose a Sonos component with an input that matches the output of your turntable. The following Sonos components have the necessary inputs: FIVE (3.5mm), PLAY:5 (3.5mm), PORT (RCA), AMP (RCA), CONNECT (RCA), and CONNECT:AMP (RCA).

Once you’ve chosen your Sonos component, connect your turntable to it using the appropriate cables. If your turntable has a 3.5mm output, use an RCA to 3.5mm y-cable to connect it to the AUX input on the back of the FIVE or PLAY:5. If your turntable has RCA outputs, use a standard RCA cable to connect it to the RCA inputs on the PORT, AMP, CONNECT, or CONNECT:AMP.

If you have a Sonos speaker without any physical inputs, such as the Move, One, Play:1, Play:3, Beam, Playbar, or Playbase, you’ll need an additional Sonos device with an input to wirelessly transmit the signal from your turntable to these speakers. The FIVE, PLAY:5, CONNECT, AMP, and PORT all have this capability.

Once everything is connected, open the Sonos app and select the System tab at the bottom center of the screen. From there, you can group your Sonos speakers together and start playing vinyl throughout your home.

Gathering The Necessary Equipment

To play your turntable on Sonos, you’ll need to gather the necessary equipment. First and foremost, you’ll need a turntable that has a built-in phono preamp. If your turntable doesn’t have one, you’ll need to purchase a separate preamp.

Next, you’ll need to choose a Sonos component with an input that matches the output of your turntable. The FIVE, PLAY:5, PORT, AMP, CONNECT, and CONNECT:AMP all have inputs that will work with your turntable.

After choosing your Sonos component, you’ll need to connect your turntable to it using the appropriate cables. If your turntable has a 3.5mm output, use an RCA to 3.5mm y-cable to connect it to the AUX input on the back of the FIVE or PLAY:5. If your turntable has RCA outputs, use a standard RCA cable to connect it to the RCA inputs on the PORT, AMP, CONNECT, or CONNECT:AMP.

If you have a Sonos speaker without any physical inputs, such as the Move, One, Play:1, Play:3, Beam, Playbar, or Playbase, you’ll need an additional Sonos device with an input to wirelessly transmit the signal from your turntable to these speakers. The FIVE, PLAY:5, CONNECT, AMP, and PORT all have this capability.

Once you have all of the necessary equipment and everything is connected properly, you can start playing vinyl throughout your home using the Sonos app.

Connecting Your Turntable To Your Sonos System

Connecting your turntable to your Sonos system is a straightforward process, but it requires the right cables and components. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Check if your turntable has a built-in phono preamp. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to purchase one separately.

2. Choose a Sonos component with an input that matches the output of your turntable. The FIVE, PLAY:5, PORT, AMP, CONNECT, and CONNECT:AMP all have the necessary inputs.

3. Connect your turntable to the Sonos component using the appropriate cables. If your turntable has a 3.5mm output, use an RCA to 3.5mm y-cable to connect it to the AUX input on the back of the FIVE or PLAY:5. If your turntable has RCA outputs, use a standard RCA cable to connect it to the RCA inputs on the PORT, AMP, CONNECT, or CONNECT:AMP.

4. If you have a Sonos speaker without any physical inputs, you’ll need an additional Sonos device with an input to wirelessly transmit the signal from your turntable to these speakers. The FIVE, PLAY:5, CONNECT, AMP, and PORT all have this capability.

5. Once everything is connected, open the Sonos app and select the System tab at the bottom center of the screen. From there, you can group your Sonos speakers together and start playing vinyl throughout your home.

Remember that different turntables and Sonos components may require different cables and setups, so always refer to your user manual or consult with a professional if you’re unsure about anything. With the right equipment and a bit of know-how, playing your turntable on Sonos can be a breeze!

Adjusting Settings For Optimal Sound Quality

To ensure the best sound quality when playing your turntable on Sonos, there are a few settings you can adjust in the Sonos app.

First, make sure the Line-In connection is set up properly with your Sonos product. Open the Sonos app, select Settings, and then select System. From there, select your speaker or wireless amp with the Line-In connection. Scroll down and select Audio Delay, and choose the Low setting with an audio delay of 75 milliseconds. This will minimize any noticeable delay in the audio.

Next, use the Trueplay feature in the Settings tab to tune each speaker in your Sonos system according to their surroundings. Follow the instructions to ensure you get the best sound out of each speaker.

If you’re experiencing issues with audio compression, you can adjust this setting in the Sonos app as well. Open the app and go to System > Audio Compression. Sonos presets the best Audio Compression level for your system, but you can adjust these settings using the following guidelines: Compression setting Automatic is recommended by Sonos and allows for switching between uncompressed and compressed depending on network performance. Uncompressed uses the WAV format for higher quality audio but may put a lot of strain on your network. Compressed uses the SBC codec which reduces audio quality but puts less strain on your network.

Finally, under Line-In Settings on the Amp, adjust the Source Level higher and set Audio Compression to Uncompressed for optimal sound quality. You can also adjust bass and sub level in EQ settings. If you use an iOS device, download the Soro app to create preset EQ settings for watching TV and listening to music, which can be quickly changed with one tap or by asking Siri.

By adjusting these settings in the Sonos app, you can ensure that you get the best possible sound quality when playing your turntable on Sonos.

Playing Your Vinyl Collection On Sonos

Playing your vinyl collection on Sonos is a great way to experience your favorite music in high-quality sound throughout your home. To get started, make sure your turntable is set up with a built-in phono preamp. If your turntable doesn’t have a preamp, you’ll need to purchase one separately.

Next, choose a Sonos component with an input that matches the output of your turntable. This can be either a 3.5mm or RCA input, depending on your turntable’s output. The FIVE, PLAY:5, PORT, AMP, CONNECT, and CONNECT:AMP all have the necessary inputs.

Once you’ve chosen your Sonos component, connect your turntable to it using the appropriate cables. If your turntable has a 3.5mm output, use an RCA to 3.5mm y-cable to connect it to the AUX input on the back of the FIVE or PLAY:5. If your turntable has RCA outputs, use a standard RCA cable to connect it to the RCA inputs on the PORT, AMP, CONNECT, or CONNECT:AMP.

If you have a Sonos speaker without any physical inputs, such as the Move, One, Play:1, Play:3, Beam, Playbar, or Playbase, you’ll need an additional Sonos device with an input to wirelessly transmit the signal from your turntable to these speakers. The FIVE, PLAY:5, CONNECT, AMP, and PORT all have this capability.

Once everything is connected and set up properly, open the Sonos app on your phone or tablet and select the System tab at the bottom center of the screen. From there, you can group your Sonos speakers together and start playing vinyl throughout your home.

If you plan on using your record player frequently with your Sonos system, consider setting up AutoPlay so that your system automatically switches to vinyl mode whenever it detects a signal from the turntable. This will save you time and hassle in the long run.

Troubleshooting Common Issues And FAQs

While playing your turntable on Sonos, you might encounter some common issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips and frequently asked questions to help you resolve them:

1. My turntable isn’t showing up on the Sonos app.

– Check that your turntable is connected to a Sonos component with an input that matches its output.

– Make sure the Sonos component is powered on and connected to your Wi-Fi network.

– Try rebooting your router and/or the Sonos component.

– If the issue persists, unplug the Sonos component and plug it back in after 5-10 seconds.

2. My vinyl audio sounds choppy or distorted.

– If you’re using a wireless connection, try wiring your system using Ethernet to reduce bandwidth issues.

– Adjust the line-in audio signal settings in the Sonos app to compress large files if necessary.

– Check that your turntable’s phono preamp is properly set to line out.

– Make sure all nearby electronic devices and wireless transmitters are unplugged or moved away from your setup.

3. My vinyl audio has a hum or excessive surface noise.

– Try connecting your turntable’s power adapter to a different wall outlet, avoiding surge protectors or power strips.

– Unplug nearby electronics and appliances or move your setup to a different location in your home.

– Clean your records regularly with a record brush and make sure there’s no dust or debris on your stylus.

– If your cartridge is new, give it 15-20 hours of break-in time to reduce surface noise.

4. My vinyl record is warped.

– Avoid exposing your discs to warmer temperatures or stacking them on top of each other.

– Use dedicated tools like record weights or clamps to apply pressure and make warps more regular for stylus preservation.

By following these troubleshooting tips and FAQs, you can enjoy high-quality vinyl audio on your Sonos system without any issues.