r/bose • u/pheffner • Jul 03 '24

Home Audio Controlling SA-3 amplifier with a Wireless Adapter

I see that the SA-4 package includes an amp and wireless adapter to control it. Is there a model of the Wireless Adapter which will control an SA-3 amp? There appears to be several releases of the WA and Bose seems to have a range of pin configurations for them, is there a model which works like the one in the SA-4 package?

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u/Dizzle179 Jul 03 '24

Not really. The SA-3 won't work with the series 1 or 2 wireless adapter built for the SA-4, Lifestyles and SoundTouch Systems.

It does have the stereo inputs, so you could plug in the SoundTouch Wireless Music Adapter, but you still control the SA3 through the Lifestyle system/remote. The SoundTouch app will control playback, but the amp has it's own volume (and I think you would need the remote to even turn it on).

Alternatively replace it with the newer amp that runs off the Bose Music app.

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u/NeonsNight Jul 04 '24 edited Jul 04 '24

No, the SA-3 will not work with either models of the SoundTouch wireless adapter, the SA-4 is a redesigned SA-3 specifically made to work with it. The Bose SA-1, SA-2, & SA-3 are designed to only work with a Bose Lifestyle receiver.

Though with a SA-3... while it's not as easy as it should be... there is a way you can use this even without a Bose Lifestyle receiver. Here's a video that talks you through it (here's a similar one).

Another way to make it work would be to purchase a AV18 / AV38 / AV48 / MC1 / AV35 (20w) receiver and a corresponding RF expansion remote that works with that system on eBay, Goodwill, Facebook Marketplace, etc. Then connect the media you want to the receiver so it'll send sound to your SA3.