A question on connectivity...

Posted by: YiannisK on 19 December 2017

Dear friends, I am thinking of a small experiment involving my good old sonos connect. Before I even dare it, I want to make sure I will not blow something up :-)

I am thinking of linking my sonos connect like this:

Sonos Connect optical / coaxial out (volume set to variable) => Naim Dac V1 (Fixed volume) => Nap power amplifier

The intention is use the Sonos volume control and at the same time take advantage of the Naim Dac chain.

Will this work?

Thanks

Posted on: 19 December 2017 by james n

I'd not do this. Naim pre-amps normally output around 0.75v max. In fixed output mode on the V1, you're basically coming out at line level which is around 2v so you'll overdrive the power amp.

If you really want to use the Sonos to control the volume, keep the V1 output in variable mode and set the V1 volume control to a sensible position (basically as loud as you would want to go with the Sonos at Max volume setting). Once you've found this level, use the Sonos app to control the volume via the Connect (set in variable output mode).

Personally i'd keep the Sonos digital output fixed and use the V1 volume control for best quality playback.

Posted on: 19 December 2017 by YiannisK

Thanks James , Just to check my understanding, if I were to use the sonos connect as a preamplifier (variable volume) and feed the power stage of a naim amp / power amp, would that be the same situation?

Thans

Posted on: 19 December 2017 by james n

IIRC the max output from the Connect in variable mode is around 1.6V so it would work (as you're not going to running the Connect at full volume) - not sure about the SQ though compared to using the V1 as the DAC.

Posted on: 19 December 2017 by YiannisK

Ah, great :-) Many thanks James

Posted on: 19 December 2017 by SongStream

Why do you want to use the Sonos as the volume control? The natural way for this set up to work is surely using the Sonos as fixed digital output into the DAC-V1, and control the volume using the DAC-V1 in pre-amp mode for the NAP. Or are you saying that's how you currently use it, hence the experiment?

Posted on: 19 December 2017 by YiannisK

That is indeed how I currently use it (Sonos Connect in fixed out to V1) and I was thinking of experimenting really. I am in the process of replacing the main source with a dedicated mini PC running Roon and that will probably feed a Chord Hugo TT (once I acquire one). I would ideally like to keep the Sonos Connect+ V1 and use it in 'lazy mode'. In this mode (for not critical listening) I would ideally not have to grab the V1 remote for volume control. If I could use the Sonos digital out in variable volume mode feeding the V1 (in fixed output) that would have been great. But based on what James mentioned above that might not work.