What's better than a Sonos Connect?
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- Опубліковано 14 лип 2024
- For newcomers to digital audio, we look at three lesser-known network streamers that outclass the Sonos Connect on sound quality and functionality.
ALLO Boss Player: www.allo.com/sparky/boss-play...
AURALiC Aries Mini: us.auralic.com/products/aries...
Bluesound Node 2: www.bluesound.com/en-eu/produc...
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![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/48PxwspDvrE/mqdefault.jpg)
John, how far you've come. You current presentation style, confidence and delivery are so much better. I'd l Iove to see your take on this topic now to see what alternatives can offer vs the new SONOS connect.
Thanks John, always adding value without bias.
THANK YOU for bringing the Allo Boss to my attention! I live on a mountain and am shielded from radio signals and have sought a solution for years. No antenna will help. Received my unit yesterday, loaded Volumio and it was immediately recognized on my system. Now I am happily streaming high quality radio not only from my local stations but from all over the globe. Really appreciate your content and presentations. Please keep up the interesting exploration of music technology!
Great info, thanks John. Sometimes all that is changing in the hifi world leaves me pulling my hair out and then you show up with the answers.
Very impressed with the delivery and manner of your videos.
Very good John - thank you for posting !
Very good review John - thank you for the information!
Here right now because Sonos just put their foot in the collective behind of long-term supporter. Node 2i is everything I wished the paltry Sonos Port (Connect replacement) had but does *not* have, and which Sonos just today via email is attempting to force upgrade to by deprecating the older Connect. These all seem very attractive.
Same here, came here looking for alternatives now that Sonos decided to kill Sonos.
Hi, what's wrong with the new Sonos Port? I want to be able to integrate my Sony AV system with my Sonos speakers - will the Bluesound Node 2 allow me to do this?
Same. Buying a new house and was planning to do a full multi room install with rack mounted Sonos amps and Ports. Looking at alternatives now.
Really great informative video - Thank you
First video I've watched from your channel (should you read comments, which I wouldn't wish upon anyone) - I fairly certain this is a channel that falls into the "even were there better info, which I doubt, I'd like to hear it from this guy" category. I love when I find a channel like that, looking forward to going through old videos, and the future. Thanks.
nice clear and precise breakdown, subscribed!
Very helpful, John. Love your videos! Thanks very much. Roger in Wisconsin
Love my Bluesound Node 2.
Would love to see a review of the Sonos Port. 👍
Yes please!
or the W4S mod! wyred4sound.com/products/digital-converters/music-servers/upgrades-accessories/sonos-port-modified
Love the Aphex Twin T-shirt.
Thanks for this.
Dude, you got top of the line audio equipments from headphones, speaker to streamer.
Thanks and keep up the good work.
Bluesound! great video John. I have a Powernode, Vault and two Pulse Mini's in my place.
Got a NAD 758 v3 in the living-room and a Pulse Mini 2i in the kitchen. Bluesound is great :D
Well done John. I watch all your videos with crear interest. Greettings fron argentina
Great information. Thanks
Very helpful!!! Thanx 😊
The Yamaha rn803 is an interesting one box solution. It also has room eq which has caught my eye.
Love the T-Shirt
I use the allo piano 2.1 with kali reclocker. With a tube amp kit from elekit. And custom made tang bang speakers. Yeah sure it isnt exactly off the shelf, but I had a heap of fun building it all and imho it sounds great. And knowing you did it yourself makes the sound all the more sweet.
I've been looking for a streamer for quite some time and decided to get my feet wet with the Bluesound NODE 2i. Unboxed, configured, software updated and streaming music in 12 minutes flat. Nice to have QMA support and OK with not having DSD. Might upgrade to streamer with DSD support down the road!
My current poor man's audiophile setup:
Rega P3 + Neo PSU
Rega Brio 2017
Bluesound NODE 2i
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
SVS PB-1000
Synology NAS
ROON
Chromecast on HDTV for cover art and lyrics.
Thrilled with the results so far!
I'm thinking of upgrading from a Yamaha RN602 to a Brio and Node 2i to drive my QAcoustics Concept 20s. Do you think the Rega + Node is a good pairing ?
Darned so I could have bought a Sonos connect 10 years ago and it would still be supported and compatible with new products, contrary to my logitech squeezeboxes. Thanks for your informative upload anyways.
Good job!
Great review man! Just what I was looking for. Thank you
it's the Aphex T that made me watch!
Another option now available is the Amazon Echo Link which has a digital coaxial output you can use with external DAC. I just ordered one (to replace my Sonos Connect) and will pair it with my Peachtree Dac itx.
Is this device also Bluetooth compatible
There is not enough information on the web about the ALLO Boss Player...Is it really plug and play? Will I be able to stream to this right out of the box through Wi-Fi?
I am an audio noob and looking for my first setup, found about allo in forums but their website lacks info and even their support page responds issues with pms, very difficult to get really useful info on their stacks and modules, you almost have to dig and pursue info on what you should buy to be ready to go.
They should make it more seamless for us to understand their line of products and options.
Can I play audio to my other Sonos speakers with any of those other devices?? Would like it to be as easy as using the Sonos app to play in different rooms etc.
How to win friends and influence people. New time subscriber. Love it.
Id like to see John review some of the smaller, more obscure Japanese tube amps. Also, the heritage line of Tannoys.
John, the thing that kinda blows me away is how quickly the number of Roon endpoints mushroomed from the day they released the software. So many options now, and at surprisingly affordable price points. Companies that I'd never heard of got onboard and that's great. Hans Beekhuyzen has done a couple of reviews of Cocktail Audio 'swiss army knives' and I'd honestly never even heard the name prior to seeing his reviews. Whether we like it or not, Australians are subject to a certain amount of brainwashing from US and British companies : as you pointed out when you reviewed Allo's products, you cant always work from assumptions when you look at the country something was designed in.
roonlabs.com/partners/cocktailaudio.html
Thanks for the video.
I use BTR3 for my Vintage amplifier, LDAC quality is fantastic
Would there be a lot of difference between using the Node2i or using a iPad with a Dragonfly Red dac streaming Tidal or Qobuz
Great Review!
I have a question to the ares mini and the Auralic G1 streamer. If you connect both via USB to an external high quality DAC (in my case a Devialet AMP) how do they compare in SQ?
After seeing the T-shirt I liked your video and than continue watching. Good info. Thanks.
Hi John, could I please ask you to review the Sonos Amp, as I would be interested in knowing the DAC quality output, beside your general view on it. I already own a sonos system, and I'm looking to move up toward a higher quality sound system. I would like to connect to the sonos amp the RP 600M speakers.
Apologies for the off-topic and many thanks for your feedback
I want to plug any one of these into my DAC, can I ‘group zones’ with my current Sonos devises within Roon?
Great video John. 😊
Love my Chromecast audio, it's small easy to use and has toslink so your amp is the DAC... Oh yeah, and waaaayy cheaper!
Aye, my Chromecast Audio links to my receiver via optical. Sounds amazing, and it cost me less than $30. And it supports FLAC (24bit/96kHz)? Yeah.
While I agree with what John says. Most users are after convenience not audiophile playback. After all, is that not why people bought into the iPhone culture of low quality playback over sound quality. For me Sonos is still the best user friendly interface for multiroom streaming. If you want higher quality. Like previously mentioned. Get an outboard dac and link it into the connect.
Have you reviewed the new Sonos amp that replaces the connect to determine if the limitations have been overcome?
Interesting seeing those devices, have seen none of them in our retail hifi area. Do they each work together with several systems around the house? We updated our system with better speakers, amp, and then modified the connection from the Sonos by connecting via toslink to a way better DAC and sounds way better now.
Great shirt and Mixed Up vinyl cameos; what speakers are those behind you?
You’ve become so much more comfortable in front of the camera, John. Same high quality content though
Bluesound node2i with AirPlay = game stopper
I’m wondering if there is any advantage to these streamers vs. going through my existing airport express (gen 1) which uses a tos-link output into my integrated amp’s high quality built in dac (naim uniti gen 1)
from what i remember the Airport express has a really good dac in it too. Only reason(s) i changed was mine became tempremental and that you had to have a computer on to stream to it. I wanted a solution where i could go from NAS to streamer. I'm not always wanting to have a computer running itunes on.
Bluesound Node 2i (it's replacement) has airplay and costs the same !
Boss Player = $169 USD. Bluesound Node 2i = $549 USD
doesn't support DSD...so, it's a no go...
Hi John. I need some advice…
Cambridge CXN v2 or Aurilic Aries mini with a separate DAC (Denafrips or SMSL M500 mkii). Which would you go for
I am an old audiophile with Magnapan speakers, Aragon Amp and preamp. I already have one sonos speaker in our kitchen. I want to buy several others for other rooms but want them all tied together wireless with my audiophile system. If I buy something other then the Connect as you suggest will I still be able to send my content from my phone for example to all sonos speakers and my big system?
Hello, can I trouble you for a bit of advice, I'm looking at purchasing the Nativ Vita, and wanted to know your impression of the product assuming that you are familiar with it. Also, I'd like to know if it's worth jumping into another ecosystem, if I'm already using the Bluesound OS.
What is your opinion on Bluesound PowerNode 2i? Is it good enough? And have you tried to use SVS Prime Wireless SoundBase?
Hello John, if you’re not too busy can you let us know what you think of the new Sonos Port? Thanks.
Great video, thank you. Questions - re your website, if a sonos connect is a 5 out of 10 and the 3 players are as you say 8/9 where would you put the sonos if using a decent external dac (eg audiolab mdac) on this scale? Also if using a mac or ipad as a streamer with the same dac (sound quality wise) where would that come on this scale ?
i dont understand. i want a vinyl player to play music on my sonos speakers. do i need this connect device or is this to only play music on non-sonos speakers?
Shirt approved.
Great video as I was considering replacing my vintage Logitech SqueezeBox with a Sonos Connect. Have you done any reviews on the SqueezeBox.
I have not.
It would be great to see you review the Rena S-1from Electrocompaniet.
Is Sonos still the only streamer with multiroom Spotify? (with different tracks simultaneously)
I skip the Sonos dac and use either an external stand alone or the one in my integrated amp.
The Cure "Mixed Up"...excellent
I've had a BS Node2 which I played with for 6 months, I've also played extensively with Roon, yet despite some misgivings on hires limitations I keep going back to my Sonos (connected direct through so no conversion) because it has by far the better, read useable, UI, and it's networking is rock solid (which I did not find with Roon on remote devices). If I get particularly keen to play hires I just connect direct in to my Peachtree Nova300 with Qobuz feed but most of the time I get far more use managing my music/radio/alarms etc through Sonos. If Sonos extracted their finger and updated their hardware to deal with hires then it would be game over.
Sorry to ask this quick question. Currently have a sonos connect connected to my receiver, i use tidal to play music to all rooms with sonos play 1 speakers at the same time in my house. If i change to a different product that you mentioned, will i still be able to do the exactly the same thing. I want to play tidal master audio
John have you looked at HEOS? I have become a huge fan of the eco system. Denon even has a CD/SACD player that supports HEOS.
Could I plug a bluesound into a poweramp and use the app or buttons to adjust volume, essentially using the BS as a preamp and streamer?
So, which do you most recommend? I want a cost-effective solution for listening to my iTunes music collection, rarely hook-up my phone via bluetooth, and I want to listen to FLAC or similar.
Is the BOSS a cool solution?
I will hook it up to my B&O Beolab 3000-2 + Rogers LS2 set :-).
The great thing about an aging Sonos unit is the digital output. Just slap a Schiit Modi 3 down as the external dac and now you're back in the race.
Have they not just launched an updated version of this amp ??? which addresses all of those things
As you say, it's an all-in-one amp, not a standalone streamer for connecting to a separate DAC / amp. This video is about standalone streamers that can be connected to ANY (integrated) amp.
Maybe its time to revisit the question? And perhaps take a wider perspective, i.e. the entire ecosystem? Sonos v HEOS v play-fi v blue OS v chromecast v ?
You now have the Sonos Port.
Better than the sonos connect ? The sonos port and amp? It has been mentioned before but I would appreciate it to see a review on those from you. Thanks
Thanks for the excellent video John!
Question.
Would adding a dedicated separate DAC make the Bluesound sound better or can you even connect a DAC to it?
Sorry for a stupid question.
New to digital side of music.
Depends on the DAC but yes, something like the Chord Mojo hooked up via TOSLINK would give you more detail.
Does this also hold for using the sonos connects optical out to a high quality DAC?
I use the sonos connect with an emotiva balanced DAC connected to balanced active speakers(connected by XLR).
The speakers are perfectly positioned to ear height and on foam pads, the room has been treated slightly to prevent reflection.
So I just don't know where I could get the most benefit?
I was thinking about adding a record player, but I don't have many records and love the spotify go to song radio option to discover music. The spotify is already configured to "high" quality (not lossless). So where in my chain could I get the most bang for my bucks audiophile level improvement?
Any suggestions?
How would you compare the Amazon Echo Link?
If you are doing a comparison I would also suggest mentioning the price for each.
If I am using digital connections to my PreAmp, then the sound will not be worse. What about Mcintosh MB50 streamer also with digital connections? Thanks
One thing that wasn't mentioned, sonos has it's own wireless mesh network, for those of us with already congested wifi, having the music on it's own dedicated network is pretty good
james ashleigh if you’re Serious about hi-fi then ethernet connection is preferred 🤓
John Darko, can you help please? Auralic aries mini - is it working with hegel by USB connection? I am looking for streamer or music server with all-in-one controls, with sound level adjustment in the app. Bluesound node can't output with USB, so in that case I need app and volume controller separate. Or maybe you can give some advice? Thank you.
Yes, the Mini works with the Hegel over USB.
Node 2i have added more functionality in same price range
I was hoping for a review of the Bluesound Powernode 2i but I can't find any that are in English :(
Has the up2stream from Arylic all been mentioned? Thats a great multy room audio system.
Any thoughts on DTS Play-Fi? Several manufacturers support it, including some audio file level companies.
Thanks for the vid! Any thoughts on the performance of each using an external DAC via spdif? You mention you have the modded connect, how does the performance compare? Thanks!
That's beyond the scope of this video.
Performance can always be modded. Yes you can do an external dac and more to get the performance up to snuff, but I think what Darko is trying to do here is give you better options right out of the box.
But I think that Sonos is great all around, it's easy to use, easy to get great content, and it's a company that changes with the times. Err, except they haven't updated some of the old tech such as this device lol. But overall I think an external dac is the way to go to bring this device to the next level. Get an Audioquest Beetle.
Thanks Darko
Gregory Frassetti I have a Sonos connect, connected to an Arcam D33 dac. It sounds amazing.
I missed this reply from you, so apologies for duplicating this question, but I don't think adding one more box to the stack would have been beyond the scope of the video. The W4S version would be extremely relevant both for Sonos owners and persons considering a streamer purchase as it falls comfortably into the price range of the other streamers in the video. It also sounds much better than the stock Connect. But thanks again.
The Sonos Connect is a single box solution. So too are the three alternatives featured in this video. That's why they were chosen. I thought that was obvious?
The (awesome) W4S-modded Sonos Connect doesn't fall in with this 'single box' scope because it also requires 1) an *external DAC* and 2) one with a coaxial input and 3) a DAC that will expose the improvements to the Connect's digital output over and above the standard model. Giving it another nudge into geekdom and away from the mainstream is the need for a half decent coax cable.
High quality.. Enough says!
So I am a total newbie. I have a 7 speaker Sonos multi room system. I need to connect to my Sony amp and turntable .. does any of these products interact with the Sonos system?
Afternoon John (from a not so sunny Germany) with the release of the new Node 2i do you feel this is a real step forward for the new Bluesound Node 2i, would welcome your feedback as I would like to use this in conjunction with Kef LS50 wireless. Regards, John
I've not yet heard the 2i range yet so I couldn't possibly comment.
Surely Sonos must be aware of the ageing tech in the Connect and the competition surging ahead and. I wouldn't be surprised if they are working on an updated replacement.
I wonder if the new SONOS port answers some of the shortcomings of the Connect? No one has done the side by side audio comparison yet. I'd love to hear some comments around how the "new" DAC compares to the "old" one!
Hi! Can anyone explain me why you should buy a sonos connect or other brand instead of a stereo receiver like a yamaha with spotify connect, airplay,... thanks!
Matthias Peeters maybe because they already have a stonking good hifi and don’t want to spend money on a new receiver?
Adding a Schitt Modi 3 DAC addresses the only shortcomings of the the Sonos connect for only $99.00.
This review was done before your Modi 3 review...what are your thoughts now John?
John this is really good info, as is all of the content you put out here. I have a question for you or anyone else here who cares to chime in. My setup consists of a pair of Magnepan MMG speakers, Klipsch sub, Marantz PM6005 integrated amp, and a Sonos Connect. I am super pleased with the sound and can tell little difference in quality when I play the same tracks through the Connect (from Spotify) compared to when I play them through a basic $300 Yamaha CD player. So I am trying to figure if one of these devices should sound better than the CD sound I am getting or if my novice ears just can’t make out the difference.
Clayton Wells listen to high res acoustical music on a Bluesound over your electrostatic speakers, the difference should blow you away
What happened if you get optical output from Sonos. Then sound should be better
I'm running my sonos connect through my Marantz SA8005 cd/dac player. My question is: Is the sound problem the sonos dac or the streamer/dac combo? I still can only get cd 44.1kHz quality.
Eric Hagen sonos can’t output higher than 44 khz unfortunately.
Are these compatible with active speakers and how would you control the volume?
can you connect these streamers from hotspot?
I stumbled upon this and tbh I have no idea what it is or what the Sonos actually does? Atm I run my phone for streaming through various Bluetooth speakers and occasionally I'll hook it up via a phono cable to my old school Sherwood Newcastle amp. I'm currently selling my vinyl and looking into streaming but wanted a fairly decent setup in my living room for me to basically stream high quality at the drop of a hat, would something like this do? Any advice on this complete noob would be greatly appreciated, cheers.
John. Thanks for this summary. But I was hoping you would include the W4S modded connect in this comparison. Especially with the Nordost Purple Flare power cord. I went to this from a stock Connect, and the improvement is notable.
But this video is aimed at people who might be looking at a Sonos Connect and are curious as to what else might be out there.
The W4S modded version, as awesome as it is, is 1) twice the price of the original AND 2) requires an outboard DAC. And that falls beyond the scope of this video. Clearly, I'm not doing my job properly if this isn't obvious.
Totally fair points, certainly in regard to Connect alternatives and similar prices. I just thought the W4S would be a natural candidate as well, and yes, the DAC thing and cable are factors. Each box needs cables, however, and if doubling the price jumps the performance of the other alternatives mentioned, then a sentence or two would take care of that point. It was just a question, not a criticism. Excellent reviews as always.
I didn't take it as a criticism at all. :)
What if connect the Sonos Connect via SPDIF to you amp ? Does the other ones still sound better ?
Good point. I use my Sonos Connect with an Arcam rDAC, sounds good to me.