Modified Sonos and a very pleasant surprise ....

[W9TR]

I have a very large redbook library, and my modified ZP-90's are the perfect way to play my collection at very high fidelity through an outboard DAC. For high resolution sources I use an alternate playback method.

To view the Sonos as a streaming only source discounts its value as a best-in-class redbook player. This only applies to the W4S modded Sonos players. Owning both, there is a clear audible difference between the unmodified and modified players.

Tom

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by W9TR

I have a very large redbook library, and my modified ZP-90's are the perfect way to play my collection at very high fidelity through an outboard DAC. For high resolution sources I use an alternate playback method.

To view the Sonos as a streaming only source discounts its value as a best-in-class redbook player. This only applies to the W4S modded Sonos players. Owning both, there is a clear audible difference between the unmodified and modified players.

Tom

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by W9TR

I have a very large redbook library, and my modified ZP-90's are the perfect way to play my collection at very high fidelity through an outboard DAC. For high resolution sources I use an alternate playback method.

To view the Sonos as a streaming only source discounts its value as a best-in-class redbook player. This only applies to the W4S modded Sonos players. Owning both, there is a clear audible difference between the unmodified and modified players.

Tom.......I have two perfectly amazing redbook players already, the McIntosh MCD1100 and the Esoteric K-03.

Since the Sonos, moded or not, isn't a transport, how do you have it integrated into your system to use with a transport, and why don't you simply go from your transport to your outbaord DAC? I don't get it.

[socfan12]

Originally Posted by jr_spyder

Socfan12 you can send your existing Sonos to W4S to be modded, you don't have buy another.

...
John

Thanks, John, did see that as I went to the W4S site to read up on it. That's where I also read it doesn't do 24/96.:-( If I know I'll be going 24/96, why not save that $500 towards the payment of a player that can play it vs. one that can't?



cheers,
allen

[1KW]

To me the sonos is for convenience and not truly serious listening. Having said this I do use the sonos often for background music like Dan or playing music in the backyard, family room and kitchen while reading, eating etc. Mog is a great way to check out new albums and it has saved me many times from buying albums of artists that I like but for one reason or another their new music is not for me. I also use pandora to find new artists as well. The sonos is a wonderful audiofile bargain for what it is but I have to agree with Dan, I don't understand the benefit of upgrading the dac in the sonos if your going to use it for lower resolution files especially since you can export the digital out via coax or optical to a outboard dac ? For playing higher resolution I use my cd's directly or my macmini with puremusic software.

[W9TR]

Tom.......I have two perfectly amazing redbook players already, the McIntosh MCD1100 and the Esoteric K-03.

Since the Sonos, moded or not, isn't a transport, how do you have it integrated into your system to use with a transport, and why don't you simply go from your transport to your outbaord DAC? I don't get it.

Dan,
I have all my Redbook CD's stored away in boxes, so use the Sonos to play the ripped files. So I don't physically handle redbook physical media anymore. I connect the 24/96 upsampled and reclocked output of my modded ZP-90 to the coax input of my MCD500. The only discs I spin in the transport are SACD's. I can change from the MCD500 from transport to coax input with its remote.

A big benefit of the modified ZP 90 player is that it's digital output is transformer isolated from the rest of the unit. I think this helps keep noise and grunge out of the rest of the system.

Anyway I think you've got a no risk trail offer from Ivan, so you can let you ears decide. Even on streaming audio, you might notice the difference.

I do think Sonos would be killer if it did Hi-Rez, but I don't see that in the cards.

Tom

[jr_spyder]

Tom, I'm essentially set up the same way but with lower tier player and dac. You're perfectly set up for a/b testing. What difference do you hear when you play a red book CD vs listen to the ripped version via Sonos?

John

[W9TR]

John,
I really can't tell any difference between a disc spinning in the player and the same disc being played through the modified Sonos. No difference at all. Nada. That's definitely not true of the standard player or the analog outs.
Tom

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by W9TR

John,
I really can't tell any difference between a disc spinning in the player and the same disc being played through the modified Sonos. No difference at all. Nada. That's definitely not true of the modified player or the analog outs.
Tom

That has been my experience also, which is why I am able to demo my systems w/ a modded Sonos as a high end source.



Anyone who has visited me, and heard my systems can attest to that.

[jr_spyder]

I'm not in any particular camp on this, I just know what I like. I've probably done too much research. Here's one article I picked up in a thread on the Sonos forum that explains why higher rez files are not only of no added value, but may be hurtful to your sound and tax your gear more than you want. Sounds like reasonable science, but let your ears be your guide (and don't shoot the messenger!).

24/192 Music Downloads are Very Silly Indeed

Also, by far the most chatter on the Sonos forum about feature improvements is about supporting higher rez files - it's the number one request. But Sonos continues to hold out and say they won't do it. Who's to say if they are right or wrong.

John