help me make sonos better

I also feel your pain! For the past year I have been planning on a music server rather than purchasing a new CD deck. Couldn't decide between a stand alone like a Fireball or building a PC/MAC something, however I did not want it based on iTunes. I'm just not comfortable with it for a server, although I use it to move files to my iPhone. The Sonos also looked interesting.

No matter the system, I got started ripping CD's to files since that's the majority of the work. To date I have about 2650 CD's converted or about 30,000 FLAC files. A fair piece of work if I do say so.

One of this years Christmas gifts for my wife was a Sonos for music in the kitchen. I bought a Sonos bridge and a Sonos S5 speaker system and have it running from the home computer and wireless network. We each have an iPhone so they became instant controllers. She likes it so much, that I added another S5 for the bedroom. Nothing like a quick "Moody Blues" before bed! I also added a 1TB Seagate NAS drive for all the albums... easy and works.

So today the Sonos is working great, but I'm still listening to "Vinyl" on my "big" system and ready to add Sonos to it. I put a lot of time and effort (and $$$) into the Vinyl playback quality, just not sure how far to go adding the Digital. I was thinking about...

1. Cullen modified ZP-90 with a modded PS Audio DAC or one of the soon to be released Wyred4sound (Cullen) Dac's. Maybe even a Benchmark DAC. Probably $2000.00 cost.

2. Or the cheap approach. A standard ZP-90 with a DacMagic for about $750.00. It's 1/3 the cost and probably sounds good. Question is, just how good. Probably better than a majority of CD players, but would I be happy with it? For the money saved, I can buy a lot of new Vinyl albums.

Let me know your thoughts...

Paul

So Larryski2 and Edgejazz are both running a standard unmodded Sonos through a modestly priced DAC and are getting results they are pleased with... and a better quality DAC gives better sound, as expected.

Bryoncunningham is enhancing the Sonos much as a modded Cullen Sonos would do with a reclocker. Could you comment on whether the addition of the Pace Car is a subtle or significant improvement in the sound quality. Also, will a better DAC also reduce jitter.

Soundgasm has both a standard and modded Sonos wih good cables and good DAC's. The mod to the ZP-90 is $550.00. From testing your combinations, do you feel the money should be spent on the mod, or would it be better spent on a better DAC... Moving up to a Benchmark or Bryston DAC?

Thanks to everyone for your comments, it really helps.

Paul

Soundgasm... I certainly appreciate your comments and many times a "lack of experience" should be viewed by our readers as a "fresh approach". ;)

I realize that a DAC is still needed with the Sonos Mod, I was wondering if the MOD was needed with a better DAC since some of the better DAC's speak of "jitter reduction" circuitry. That may be just more marketing. Your approach of getting the source as clean as possible is certainly valid.

Sounds like you also feel that the $550 for a Sonos Mod was money well spent and the digital output is a significant improvement over an unmodded unit.

Thanks for your comments!

OK Bobf1717, it's time for me to digest the comments from this thread and move on with my Sonos system. I did a bit of extra research on DAC's before coming to a decision. I had a lengthy conversation with Benchmark and feel their DAC1 USB is the way to go for me. They have a reclocking feature called "Jitter-Immune UltraLock™" which they claim eliminates the need to do a reclock mod to the Sonos or any other source for that matter. It also eliminates the need for a fancy cable between the Sonos and the DAC.

So here's where I'm at. I have a standard non-modded Sonos ZP-90, and I have just purchased a Benchmark Dac1 USB. If I need more, I can always get the Sonos modded as a next step. The Benckmark DAC is said to be on the cool side, but I'm going into a tube preamp which should warm it a bit. It gets me a start at a good price point and I feel with a good chance of meeting my expectations.

Will it be as good as my Vinyl, probably not but I wasn't expecting it to be. For me, Vinyl is still my primary music source. Digital, I want convenience at a reasonable quality level. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Paul

I've had a chance to listen to many music selections over the past 3 weeks and I have to tell you that the Sonos ZP-90 with the Benchmark Dac1 USB is a very good combination. The jitter reduction in the benchmark really works and I'm very pleased with the sound. Good soundstage with very nice depth. Open and airy highs with good solid bass. I can listen for hours at a time with no fatigue. I just don't see a reason to purchase any additional mods for the ZP-90, the Benchmark cleans it up just like a reclocker mod. If anyone has further info, please let us know.

A side item on the Sonos ZP-90. Out of the box, it is setup in the software with the volume control active. This is OK if you are driving some powered speakers. However, not good at all in driving a DAC. Go into the computer software and select the ZonePlayer Settings. Select the ZP-90 and in its Settings, select the Line-Out tab. Set the Line Out to "Fixed". It's important to eliminate their volume control as it introduces distortion to the sound. Actually above about 75% volume, it over drives the DAC and the sound is miserable. In the "Fixed" position, the Sonos passes through the Digital Stream with no processing, giving the best possible results.

Now if we could get Sonos to upgrade their products to do 24 bit/96kHz Music files!

Paul

Bryon... I used it initially as well and thought that at 100% it would have a gain of 1 and all is fine. However, above 75% I could hear distortion. It was overdriving the DAC. Also when set to Fixed the volume is at 60% - 70% of the variable mode. I called Sonos a few minutes ago and they also recommend the Fixed mode when going into a DAC.

I also have two of the Sonos S5 powered speakers and they are just fine with the volume control. Bought them for my wife. ;)

Paul