How to get AirPlay into my older system.


I've got Sonos throughout my house. I have an old Sonos Connect hooked up to my older main system, optical into an Oppo CD player.

I've had lots of problem with my Sonos system but I've got all of them resolved except for the Sonos Connect. It glitches and drops out constantly. Thought I had that resolved several times but it is still an issue. Practically unusable even when hardwired via ethernet.

So I've given up on the Connect. And not willing to drop $400 on the newer Sonos Port.

So I would like to use my Qobuz service via AirPlay with my main system. The old Oppo does not support AirPlay.

Is there an inexpensive way to get AirPlay for my old system? I tried an old Apple TV and it did not seem to work well with AirPlay 2.

n80

N80 look into WiiM Pro Plus. You can run it into oppo via toslink and it streams Qobuz. Check amazon about $200 and has airplay but you will get better quality streaming Qobuz from it using wiim app. 

Have you tried using any of the other Sonos Ports to see if they drop out on your main system?

I have older ZP90s that I use in secondary systems that I picked up off craiglist for like $50 each. 

+1 for WiiM.  They make 3 levels of product…the Mini, the Pro and the Pro plus.  Priced under $100, around $150, and in the low $200s.  The app is very simple to use, and all have toslink out.  Be as frugal as you choose.  The use of digital out eliminates the difference between Pro and Pro Plus, which is in the digital to analog  converter. The Pro models have RCA jacks, an Ethernet port and faster processors.  I would get the Pro if I had your situation.

Pick up a older used Apple TV, one with Optical out for audio.

There is always someone selling one typically for $30 or less.

Works great for Airplay. Work’s wireless or wired. 

Thanks guys.

To answer a few questions: @jbuhl I do not have any other Sonos Ports or Sonos Connects. I have a Sonos Amp and a bunch of speakers. They all work well now except for this old Connect.

@dougsat I had an older Apple TV which was glitchy as well. Tossed it a while back. Maybe the issue is the Oppo?

@crustycoot I will look into the Wiim but not sure I understand the advice to get the Pro. Since the Mini has optical out what benefit would I get with the Wiim or Wiim Pro over the Mini? Will the faster processors make any difference? I would not have any need of RCA jacks or ethernet.

@audphile1 , why would the quality be better using the Wiim app verse Qobuz via AirPlay?

Also, I came across the Belkin Connect Soundform Connect. Cheaper than the Wiim Mini. CD quality only but to be honest I never hear any difference above CD quality anyway. Anyone have experience with this device?

Let me know if you decide to take up @dougsat suggestion.  I think I have on old appleTV box I could part with for $30.  It do gots the optical out.

I also have an older ZP90 that would probably work for you but you would need to use the S1 app to control it, which is still available BTW.

I have ordered the WiiM Mini. We'll see.

In the mean time I should probably try running this old Sonos Connect with the S1 app but I'm just too lazy to fool with it anymore.

Got the Wiim Mini about 30 minutes ago. Easy set up. Works great. So far no glitches or dropouts. Time will tell.

I hope that it works for you.  I wasn’t a fan of Wiim based on my 1 audition, but it is dirt cheap and AirPlay isn’t a high resolution format, so it might be an inexpensive compromise.

I consider myself fortunate in that I hear no difference whatsoever between CD quality and hi-res so that won't be an issue for me.

Question: When I use Qobuz within the Wiim app is it still using AirPlay with its limit of 16/44?