I've been told that with the "Music Connect" feature on the ZA series AVRs one can integrate a Sonos Connect such that the AVR will turn on and select the Sonos input when the user plays music through that Connect.

Anyone using this integration?

Does it work well?


Any issues/problems/things to look out for?

• Does the sonos app adjust the sony's volume?

Will the avr switch to the sonos input if the avr was already on (and on a different input)?

• If it does, and that was not the end user's intention, are they able to recognize that they likely had that zone grouped?
• If it doesn't have the end user's been able to understand that they have to use their remote to pick sonos?

We haven't had great success controlling sonos from our r/c brands and this could eliminate the need for our end users to use the custom remote to select the sonos input - pick music from sonos app - go back to custom remote to control volume - in the room(s) where they have an avr.

This is one of the reasons I'm switching to Sony. Was one of the features that was sold to me at a training last week.since the marantz 5009 is my go to AVR Sony will be an easy switch over in terms of price.

The music connect feature is really cool, the only "gotcha" is making sure you set up a DHCP reservation for the router but other then that it is just looking for packets.

For the small condos we do where C4 (amazing integration BTW) isn't an option it doesn't make sense this is an awesome option so clients don't have to flip back and forth. Also a cool feature is that you can set the input volume to be locked on that input so clients can use the sonos app to co tell the volume.

There are some really nice installer features in Sony that aren't seen in other manufacturers

Every time I do one of these I am absolutely amazed.

Setup the Sony to get its IP Address via DHCP. Set the IP address in the router via it's MAC address. Turn on Network Standby.

Go power on Volume, and set to -35

Go to Music Connect under network settings. Have it scan for decvices...your Sonos pieces will show up. Select the MAC address for the Connect plugged into the Sony Receiver. Select the input you have the connect plugged into on the receiver (SACD/CD). Then set turn on volume to something like -5.

Go into the input assignment and turn off video inputs for the SACD/CD input.

When you turn the system on, volume will default to -35.

When you start changing volume, for example to -28 while you watch the news, the receiver will remember the volume.

When you open the Sonos App, select play, within about 2 seconds teh Sony will automatically switch to the SACD/CD input, and you will hear Sonos. You can use the volume on the Sonos app.

When you change inputs on the Sony receiver, it will adjust the volume to the previous volume of -28. If the receiver was previously off, it will switch to the input you select with the preselected turn on volume of -35.

The Sony receiver will also issue a pause command to the Sonos Connect and any grouped zones.

Works flawlessly every time.

I think the Sony ZA 1000ES sounds great for the price of $899. Just did one today with an Aritson SB39 soundbar and the results were fantastic. I wish they had something in the $2000-$3000 price range.

When Music connect first came out, it was a little buggy, but it is perfected now and works great.

"When Music connect first came out, it was a little buggy, but it is perfected now and works great."

I thought it was a great idea when I saw it. the first 5-6 installs were problematic with firmware and had to return most of them for replacements, only to get replacements that were bad as well. We did have some successful installs, and I loved they way they worked. But after chasing our tails round and round, we decided to stick with Yamaha.

It works now. The latest update about 3 months back has been rock solid. The key is letting the receiver set its IP DHCP and having the router assign a static IP address via the Sony's MAC address. This has been a common theme among other components too, so no biggie. The return volume, and sending the Sonos to pause when leaving the Sonos input is great.

IS $800 the highest they go?

Brendon, how does it sound?

The ZA2000es lists for 1399 and the za3000es for 1699.

If you are putting in any other automation, doing this with any controllable receiver would be fairly trivial, as long as the automation system supports Sonos of course. For CQC you'd just set up a triggered event on the Sonos driver's media state field. If it goes to playing, power up the receiver and select the correct input. We could even only do it if a certain station was playing as well, or only if particular Sonos players start playing, ignoring others.

I do kind of question how really appropriate such auto-magical things are, since it may not always be appropriate and you can't easily stop it from happening.

I believe the whole point of using the Sony, was for single room systems with no budget for control systems.

3PedalMINI and I must have crossed in the hallway. I was at the morning session.

Anyway, a good case for the SONY is when a full surround receiver is more appropriate than a SONOS PLAYBAR. It's an easy option to use a SONOS CONNECT as the input to the SONY. Usually, this sort of scheme is an operational mess because one must preset the receiver volume, change input, change to the SONOS controller, get the music going, then worry what happens to the output level when the user switches back to another input. SONY deals with all of this.

Typically, I have used 12V triggers, relay switch boxes, and a CONNECT:AMP to give seamless control. This works well, but is messy. It's even messier if the customer wants the rear speakers to play the music too.

I use the Sony ES with a Connect in a dedicated theater, A room where they want Sonos with 5.1 In-ceilings, a room where they want the soundbar the exact width of the TV, or a large room where the Sonos Soundbar won't work. When you have a 75" panel, the playbar looks dumb underneath it. I usually will do In-walls or In-ceilings with the Sony Receiver. I could also achieve the same thing by using a lot of external parts, and a ton of programming. Sony is making all of this very easy now.

You guys (and gals) really need to give the HEOS sysyem a good hard look. The IP integration with Marantz and Denon AVR's is super easy, rock solid and bullet proof. The HEOS controls input, power on/off and AVR volume. No DHCP reservation, no volume lock, no drama it's plug and play.

3pedal, all those SR-5009's you have in the field are screaming for a HEOS link or better yet, a rack full of Drives.

I've sold alot of Sonos over the years but we've completely switched to the HEOS platform and we aren't looking back. Do yourself a favor and give it another look. Buy a link or an Amp and try it out. You'll be surprised at how well this stuff performs.

We did Sony training last week and I thought the new receivers were a great idea, in theory. Especially being able to setup the receiver via laptop instead of dicking around with on screen setup menus. Was wondering if we needed to give Sony a year or two to work out bugs before we waded into that puddle.

Since we left HK several years ago the Aventage series has been our go to AVR.

Forgive my ignorance (I am not a Sony guy) but can't this be done with any receiver for some control brands?

For example, RTI has a driver that might be limited in terms of comprehensive control features, but it does have the ability to trigger events (turn on receiver, etc.) when the SONOS zone is selected or plays. I am using RTI as an example, but couldn't most companies that have developed some type of SONOS control do this?

Agree with Tom, HEOS does sound better...