Sonos VS CD Transport

I have been using a Sonos system for about six months. I run the ZP-80 into an external DAC as the internal DAC in the Sonos is mediocre at best. Into a good quality DAC using Apple Lossless, I found the Sonos to be the equal of the Levinson 390S as a 'transport' - couldn't hear a difference.

Sonos system, $1,100; Bel Canto DAC 3 with a volume control, $2,000; the convenience and ease of having all my music available at a touch via remote from my easy chair and not having to constantly get up to find and load CDs, priceless. I sold the Levinson.

Hi All

Two months with my Sonos:

My experience with the Sonos is different...(music ripped in FLAC)

Yes I love the LCD remote and convenience, but in no way is it as good as my Theta Carmen II Transport

I feed both my Sonos ZP-80 and Transport through my Meitner BIDAT DAC, while the Sonos is VERY DECENT, it can't compare with the dynamics, sound stage and the musical sound of the Transport.

The problem with the Sonos is it's pitifull Power supply and clock were made to fit a low price point.

It has potential though, and this is certainly the way of the future,but not yet high end audiophile grade.

Steve Nugent from Empirical Audio is working on a full Sonos mod for about $1000.00 which might bring it over the top.

Saffy's reply has me wondering...I have had Sonos for about 6 months and while I am content with the ZP-80's analog outs for a few small systems throughout my home, I find the ZP-80 to be disappointing in my main system, even when using thr digital outputs into a few of the popular $1K DAC's.

I too am ripping in FLAC and wonder if somehow, Apple Lossless sounds better. It seems that those who use the apple lossless for ripping are happier with Sonos feeding an external DAC.

I have spoken to the modders and am curious to see who comes up with what, in bringing Sonos to the high-end table.

No doubt, the controller and access to music are absolutely awesome. Now if I could just make that work without compromising the sound.

A dealer is arranging to loan me a higher end DAC that has a higher price tag, to see if this does the trick. I will report back.

If anyone has bitten the bullet w/Steve @ Empirical, please let us know this this is what we are craving.

I breifly exchanged emails w/Steve a few months back. My recollection was that his mod was almost 2x the amount that Saffy is reporting.

I bought a Sonos system (both the 80 and 100) and compared(with the same Flac and WAV files) it to my Bolder Modified Squeezebox with the Ultimate powersupply into my Theta Gen VIII and the audio quality was not acceptable (Sounded good but not reference level) and I returned the Sonos System. My Theta Compli easily beat the Sonos in sound quality.

I used my TabletPC as my remote for the Squeezebox. I liked the Sonos remote except with 40,000 songs scrolling through letters alphabetically was tiring on the interface. The Squeezebox is much faster to access data in a larger collection.

Barrelchief:

FLAC and Apple lossless - please don't lose any sleep over that.

If you want to split hairs - then go to uncompressed.(3 x more HD space required - though many say it's slightly worth it).

Steve at Empirical is doing his first Sonos mod this month, his latest quote was for around $1000 -1200.

He says he's going to give it a proper power supply, and probably install a super clock 4, and a proper 75 or 110 ohms out + see if there's room to exchange that hokey C8 connector for an IEC.

You have to believe that a SUPER Sonos might potentailly be the "best of both worlds"