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Well one of those options lets me click a button on the phone in my pocket and play music across multiple rooms without running any wires between rooms. And sim

Well one of those options lets me click a button on the phone in my pocket and play music across multiple rooms without running any wires between rooms. And similarly supports surround-sound audio without running wires around or inside walls. I appreciate the value in a basic stereo system but there are some major differences in functionality to the end user.

xp84 2y ago
I'd point out that all that was needed to add that capability to a 1970 stereo is one of these devices: https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/port https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/port Although I laughed out loud that they're asking $450 for that little box. That's pretty cheeky. The BOM on that must be $15. Margin level: Apple! I wonder if they make it $450 to discourage doing just what I'm describing. To make people consider that for that kind of money they could buy one decent Sonos speaker and "simplify." Even though the Sonos speaker won't have anywhere near the sound quality or longevity of a 40-year-old stereo amp and speakers.
- hmottestad 2y ago
  I have a 40-year old amp and speakers at home. My dad’s old stereo. Works fine, but it has so much static buzz. Sounds great though. I’m just a bit hesitant to leave it powered on all the time which means I don’t use it much compared to my Bluetooth speakers. Old power supplies are not very efficient. They can get hot. There is also a decent amount of dust. And then there is the risk of some old cap blowing.
  - mixmastamyk 2y ago
    Buzz is not normal. Either it was really low quality, (unlikely since it has lasted this long), or it is not properly grounded.
    - hmottestad 2y ago
      It's not properly grounded. I think I need to change out the power cable for one with ground, since the power cable that comes with the stereo only has two wires. There is a grounding point on the back of the chassis, but I don't have anything to ground it to except for the wall socket and at that point I should just use a proper power cable instead.
- ssl-3 2y ago
  Sort-of. Neither a Sonos Port nor something like an Alexa Echo Dot nor the long-discontinued Chromecast Audio can awaken my stereo (whether from 1955 or 2025), select the appropriate input, and allow me to start playing music from my phone. A Sonos speaker does allow that, though. And so might a modern sound bar when combined with things like CEC and a regular-ass $25 HDMI Chromecast.
  - javier2 2y ago
    Yes, this is annoying. I settled for the cheap variant: Let any hdmi device grab focus. The tv has spdif to the amp. Amp is always on the spdif input. I can change sources on the tv and the sound will follow, if I want youtube or spotify to play, I have to use chromecast on the tv or airplay to apple tv. It works ok for only a single cable. If the tv is off, the sound is off.
    - gizmo 2y ago
      An amp will wake on hdmi (arc) input, but it won't wake on spdif. Unless you figured out something clever you still have to mess with multiple remotes and turn devices on/off individually.
  - xp84 2y ago
    The Sonos Port claims to be able to trigger your amp to turn on, though I don't know how it works. It's called a "12v trigger." Quick searching mostly found people asking on Reddit how the heck they could use it and mostly getting "most hardware doesn't support it." I did find this interesting comment, though: > You can get a secondhand Sonos Connect (Gen 2) for about $100 these days; they are the predecessor of the Port and are functionally the same for your purposes. Also if I wanted to make a product like the Connect/Port I think I would spend another $3 in materials to add both an IR blaster (like the Harmony hub has -- it's so powerful it bounces off the walls perfectly well even to devices on different shelves) for amps with remotes, and to also offer as a separate purchase, a simple relay switch module for old stereos that don't have remotes -- they could be left on and have their power controlled by the Sonos. As far as I know that's not a thing with any Sonos or competing product, though.
- tshaddox 2y ago
  I would be surprised if that device can power cycle or control the volume of a stereo from 1970.
semi-extrinsic 2y ago
If only there was a small and very cheap device with wifi and aux out that you could plug into your old stereo, and instantly get the possibility to cast music directly from all your Android apps. Like a Chromecast but for Audio. Seriously, this was a thing 10 years ago! I bought five, and they all still work perfectly. They do multiroom audio. They are compatible with the new Nest speakers. The only reason we can't have them today is corporate greed and rent-seeking MBA fuckers.
- addicted 2y ago
  The Chromecast Audio was a wonderful device. I unfortunately lost all mine in a move but there’s been absolutely no way to replace them :-(
  - ssl-3 2y ago
    They're still out there. In the US, MSRP at launch in 2015 was $35. With inflation, that's worth ~$46 today. I see one on eBay right now (open-box, allegedly never used) for $60, delivered, in buy-it-now format. $60 is not an ideal sort of price, but it's not something that seems extortionist or anything compared to the inflation-adjusted price from 2015.
    - addicted 2y ago
      True, but relying on old units available on eBay is not a long term solution.
      - izacus 2y ago
        There are companies out there that make similar devices now luckily (sadly they're more expensive :/ )
      - applied_heat 2y ago
        It is Probably just fine for the next 10 years. Chromecast audio are working great for me with my 70’s receiver and modern mini amp and Bluetooth speakers with line in.
tyre 2y ago
I have a raspberry pi running an AirPlay server[0] and nothing else. Turned some nice analog speakers into airplayable for like $20 [0]: https://github.com/juhovh/shairplay https://github.com/juhovh/shairplay
turbojet1321 2y ago
My favorite recent discovery in the HiFi world (after losing interest about 15 years ago) are the WiiM network streamers. Connect them up to any old system via RCA, toslink or coax and you can: - stream from a wide number of subscription services - stream from your own DLNA server or samba share - cast from Chromecast or AirPlay - with multiple devices, you can do multi-room synchronized streaming - apply parametric EQ, including (in the higher end models) auto room correction - hook up a digital source (eg, TV) so you can apply EQ - hook up an analog device (like a turntable) and stream it to the rest of the devices in the house The app's surprisingly good, the firmware updated regularly. The cheapest version is under $100. They're like Chromecast Audio's on steroids. When (eventually) they die or get superseded, it's easy to replace without needing to touch the rest of the system. I have 3 at the moment, the main one hooked up my amp and speakers from the 80s, which I picked up used in the 2000s.
- pcchristie 2y ago
  Well said. I have a Wiim Pro & Mini, and love them both. And it's the best way of minimising waste (given some waste is inevitable as standards change, until they let us change the board inside the Wiim or something!)
  - turbojet1321 2y ago
    I've been really impressed by how they keep pushing features out to old devices. Like, there was no reason for them to give the Mini 10 band PEQ - they could have made people upgrade. But no, the working (seemingly quite hard) to get the performance out of the chip in the Mini to do it, and pushed the update out to everyone.

xp84 2y ago

I'd point out that all that was needed to add that capability to a 1970 stereo is one of these devices: https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/port https://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/port Although I laughed out loud that they're asking $450 for that little box. That's pretty cheeky. The BOM on that must be $15. Margin level: Apple! I wonder if they make it $450 to discourage doing just what I'm describing. To make people consider that for that kind of money they could buy one decent Sonos speaker and "simplify." Even though the Sonos speaker won't have anywhere near the sound quality or longevity of a 40-year-old stereo amp and speakers.

hmottestad 2y ago
I have a 40-year old amp and speakers at home. My dad’s old stereo. Works fine, but it has so much static buzz. Sounds great though. I’m just a bit hesitant to leave it powered on all the time which means I don’t use it much compared to my Bluetooth speakers. Old power supplies are not very efficient. They can get hot. There is also a decent amount of dust. And then there is the risk of some old cap blowing.
- mixmastamyk 2y ago
  Buzz is not normal. Either it was really low quality, (unlikely since it has lasted this long), or it is not properly grounded.
  - hmottestad 2y ago
    It's not properly grounded. I think I need to change out the power cable for one with ground, since the power cable that comes with the stereo only has two wires. There is a grounding point on the back of the chassis, but I don't have anything to ground it to except for the wall socket and at that point I should just use a proper power cable instead.
ssl-3 2y ago
Sort-of. Neither a Sonos Port nor something like an Alexa Echo Dot nor the long-discontinued Chromecast Audio can awaken my stereo (whether from 1955 or 2025), select the appropriate input, and allow me to start playing music from my phone. A Sonos speaker does allow that, though. And so might a modern sound bar when combined with things like CEC and a regular-ass $25 HDMI Chromecast.
- javier2 2y ago
  Yes, this is annoying. I settled for the cheap variant: Let any hdmi device grab focus. The tv has spdif to the amp. Amp is always on the spdif input. I can change sources on the tv and the sound will follow, if I want youtube or spotify to play, I have to use chromecast on the tv or airplay to apple tv. It works ok for only a single cable. If the tv is off, the sound is off.
  - gizmo 2y ago
    An amp will wake on hdmi (arc) input, but it won't wake on spdif. Unless you figured out something clever you still have to mess with multiple remotes and turn devices on/off individually.
- xp84 2y ago
  The Sonos Port claims to be able to trigger your amp to turn on, though I don't know how it works. It's called a "12v trigger." Quick searching mostly found people asking on Reddit how the heck they could use it and mostly getting "most hardware doesn't support it." I did find this interesting comment, though: > You can get a secondhand Sonos Connect (Gen 2) for about $100 these days; they are the predecessor of the Port and are functionally the same for your purposes. Also if I wanted to make a product like the Connect/Port I think I would spend another $3 in materials to add both an IR blaster (like the Harmony hub has -- it's so powerful it bounces off the walls perfectly well even to devices on different shelves) for amps with remotes, and to also offer as a separate purchase, a simple relay switch module for old stereos that don't have remotes -- they could be left on and have their power controlled by the Sonos. As far as I know that's not a thing with any Sonos or competing product, though.
tshaddox 2y ago
I would be surprised if that device can power cycle or control the volume of a stereo from 1970.

semi-extrinsic 2y ago

If only there was a small and very cheap device with wifi and aux out that you could plug into your old stereo, and instantly get the possibility to cast music directly from all your Android apps. Like a Chromecast but for Audio. Seriously, this was a thing 10 years ago! I bought five, and they all still work perfectly. They do multiroom audio. They are compatible with the new Nest speakers. The only reason we can't have them today is corporate greed and rent-seeking MBA fuckers.

addicted 2y ago
The Chromecast Audio was a wonderful device. I unfortunately lost all mine in a move but there’s been absolutely no way to replace them :-(
- ssl-3 2y ago
  They're still out there. In the US, MSRP at launch in 2015 was $35. With inflation, that's worth ~$46 today. I see one on eBay right now (open-box, allegedly never used) for $60, delivered, in buy-it-now format. $60 is not an ideal sort of price, but it's not something that seems extortionist or anything compared to the inflation-adjusted price from 2015.
  - addicted 2y ago
    True, but relying on old units available on eBay is not a long term solution.
    - izacus 2y ago
      There are companies out there that make similar devices now luckily (sadly they're more expensive :/ )
    - applied_heat 2y ago
      It is Probably just fine for the next 10 years. Chromecast audio are working great for me with my 70’s receiver and modern mini amp and Bluetooth speakers with line in.

tyre 2y ago

I have a raspberry pi running an AirPlay server[0] and nothing else. Turned some nice analog speakers into airplayable for like $20 [0]: https://github.com/juhovh/shairplay https://github.com/juhovh/shairplay

turbojet1321 2y ago

My favorite recent discovery in the HiFi world (after losing interest about 15 years ago) are the WiiM network streamers. Connect them up to any old system via RCA, toslink or coax and you can: - stream from a wide number of subscription services - stream from your own DLNA server or samba share - cast from Chromecast or AirPlay - with multiple devices, you can do multi-room synchronized streaming - apply parametric EQ, including (in the higher end models) auto room correction - hook up a digital source (eg, TV) so you can apply EQ - hook up an analog device (like a turntable) and stream it to the rest of the devices in the house The app's surprisingly good, the firmware updated regularly. The cheapest version is under $100. They're like Chromecast Audio's on steroids. When (eventually) they die or get superseded, it's easy to replace without needing to touch the rest of the system. I have 3 at the moment, the main one hooked up my amp and speakers from the 80s, which I picked up used in the 2000s.

pcchristie 2y ago
Well said. I have a Wiim Pro & Mini, and love them both. And it's the best way of minimising waste (given some waste is inevitable as standards change, until they let us change the board inside the Wiim or something!)
- turbojet1321 2y ago
  I've been really impressed by how they keep pushing features out to old devices. Like, there was no reason for them to give the Mini 10 band PEQ - they could have made people upgrade. But no, the working (seemingly quite hard) to get the performance out of the chip in the Mini to do it, and pushed the update out to everyone.