The reviewed here Sonos Connect: Amp can be described as the "Sonos receiver", there is nothing like Sonos, all other Sonos devices are either equipped with built-in speakers, or is pure streaming and wireless components. Looking at the Connect: Amp only as receivers, he would lose mercilessly in every comparison test. That's not the sound that is good. It is up to the equipment, you can only be described as absolutely minimalist:
- Volume control and mute switch on the device itself, all other basic functions (station selection, input source, Bass, Treble, Balance, Loudness) only Controller App
- A stereo input (2 RCA) for external device
- 4 terminal sockets for a pair of speakers
- Subwoover output
- LAN input and output (Switch)
- 220V
That's all? Yes, unfortunately!
The Sonos concept describes "rooms", which are to provide sound with matching Sonos components. So one needs in a living room with 2 existing pairs of speakers (eg kitchen area and couch) two Connect: Amps. If one has to a reading corner, there are three. Well, you can hear in any area with a correspondingly inflated Sonos system different programs, volume and EQ adjust etc but you really want? Three full receiver in one room? What to do with the equipment? Stacking would offer, but is not due to heat dissipation, the top must be kept clear. What about power consumption? And slowly it is also expensive.
First of all, the (lack of) outputs:
2 pairs of speakers are for amplifiers in this price range since the 70's standard equipment. For multichannel TV home theater worlds must be accessed in any case on proprietary components with Sonos, eg Soundbar and play. So if you want to run an existing speaker system 5: Hands off the Connect: Amp! In my case (2 stereo speakers couples) I decided for a speaker switcher despite all the drawbacks, as there would be a lack of remote control, problems with different impedances, volume reduction, etc. In addition, the Connect responds: Amp sensitive and on the switch, despite correct wiring matching speakers is the overload protection frequently active, the volume must then down regulated and the signal source to be restarted. But this can also be the added cost switch.
If you want to feed the Sonos audio stream to an existing system, or attach only one active speaker pair: Hands off the Connect: Amp, there is no line-out outputs, but there Sonos Connect (without Amp). And Headphones? Wrong! Why, one has thought at Sonos, the modern contemporary hangs his plugs directly into the phone and "delighted" at the mobile sound.
And now for the (lack of) inputs:
If one wants to be TV and an anachronistic CD player at the same time to the Connect: Connect Amp, you have to buy an external switch. This looks next to the stylish Connect: Amp not only unsightly, you have to get up. These are CD-lovers indeed used, it is still a shortcoming. Turntables I will not speak here, Fidele Audio not belong to the Sonos audience. And HDMI? Wrong! Why, one has thought well here at Sonos, the modern contemporary streaming movies rather on his phone.
The (lack of) on / off switches:
To nonexistent power switch I got used to, with an eco-standby mode I can live. Both are the Connect: Amp (and to my knowledge all other Sonos components) unknown, it heats to himself and consumes according Sonos just about 6.5 watts. This can be seen as you want, in a timely manner, it is not for being greened contemporaries, it is unacceptable.
Conclusion:
The Connect: Amp provides excellent streaming in perfect LAN integration, simple handling, modern, space-saving design, but unfortunately only one absolute poor funding. I want a Connect: Poweramp with nowadays usual jacks on the back, to spend a few more watts of power. The likely cost a few euros more. Otherwise, I will, willy-nilly have to switch to a combination of Sonos Connect and remotely controllable, external amplifier.
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