ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
In my home I use a Marantz AV receiver (NR1602), connected to my beloved Beolab 8000's and (on zone 2 - dining area) my Beolab 6000's.
I like these kind of receivers a lot. This is because I don't have a B&O television and this receiver has got all I need (hdmi switching, sound from tv, airplay, dlna, iradio, audyssey room correction, multiroom output, etc).
I connected the Beolabs using 'mediocre' rca cables/connectors on the low-level-outputs on the Marantz.I also have a complete 'Powerlink triggering kit' from Soundsheavenly lying around, but I don't use it: http://soundsheavenly.com/line-in-connection/101-singletwin-rca-to-beolab-2-7-10-2500-powered-trigger-kit.html(bought this kit a while ago, because I almost bought a BL2 back then and this subwoofer hasn't got a rca input)Looking at all the fuss on the quality and influence of used rca-cables with 'other brands', I asked myself the question:How is the sound quality affected/guaranteed when using B&O equipment with the used thin/sensitive/prone to things like rfi/emi-interference/etc. powerlink (din or rj45) cables?And further: What about sound quality when using good quality RCA leads VERSUS powerlink leads (connected to the same source of course)?(with 'good quality' I mean rca cables up till say 100,- euro's. I know there are interlinks reaching idiot prices, but those are for other audio-geeks I guess...)
I never compared my setup connected with rca-cables against a connection with powerlink cables (in my situation using the triggering kit), so can't speak from experience.I ask this question for myself (because maybe I can reach better sound quality when investing in other cables). But also for all other forum members, because we connect our B&O equipment more and more with 'other brand' sources.
After questioning myself and posting the above topic, I searched the forum (maybe I should have done this the other way around) and found this topic from 2013: http://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/4860/43987.aspx
This is a topic from Steve (Sounds Heavenly) and verrrrrrrrry interesting reading material.But the topic suddenly 'stopped' and besides a lot of discussion, nobody (besides Steve) did a real life testing.This topic was also only about making the existing powerlink cables better.I am also interested in (high end) rca cables versus powerlink (like in my situation).PS: Looking at (stereo) setups where (high end) rca cables are possible. I do understand that many b&o owners use dozens of meters powerlink cables, keeping them out of sight, feeding through walls, linking to other rooms, etc. But that's not what I mean in this test).
Hi tuttivini,
Thanks for reminding us of this thread, three years have passed quickly since I initially carried out my tests on higher quality replacement cables. During this time, the upgraded cables have proven to be popular, both to replace Powerlink wiring in B&O setups, as well as for RCA connections where B&O speakers are used with AV receivers.
One driver for the testing was my initial concern that the quality of the cables supplied with B&O products did not always appear to match the high standards set by the main products (eg. speakers, TVs, etc). The recent move to RJ45 connections on newer systems has done little to change this situation.
A key benefit of standard Powerlink cables is their small size, making them convenient and discreet to hide around the home. However, when using longer cable runs, this feature can be at the expense of sound quality (this often only becomes apparent when comparing side by side with a higher specification cable).
RCA cables vary greatly in quality, from unshielded "shoelace" wires to robust co-axial cables with full shield coverage. The better shielded cables can perform well with Beolab speakers, providing a good starting point for improving the sound quality.
As has been previously mentioned, good cables aren't a panacea, but merely one aspect of the system that can influence the quality (and hence enjoyment of) a music system.
Kind regards, Steve.
Steve.
www.soundsheavenly.com
Founder of Sounds Heavenly Cables and Brand Ambassador for Bang & Olufsen
Sounds Heavenly are proud to sponsor BeoWorld!
Please check out my YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/soundsheavenlycables
Steve, Thank you for your reply.I know that good cables aren't a panacea. I also understand that (in my case with BL8000's) te need for 'better cables' is maybe(?) less important than when u use them with 'high end' speakers like the BL20's, BL5's, or the BL90's (a different discussion, also raised in your topic: high quality or high end speakers)...Have you ever sold your designed 'only 3 high quality wires' cables over the past 3 years? These are the 'bespoke' cables?Have you ever gave/sold them to someone who did a (blind) test on his own beolab products?I have listened to a wide variety of (high end) (pre)amps, dacs and speakers in the past (non-b&o) and often I could hear differences in sound when switching interlinks, speakercables, etc. Yes I know, 'differences' is a vague description, but it could inlude terms like: more detailed, crispier, punchier, more vivid, etc when using better cables/connectors.I'm not a 'believer' in €100,- + cables, using terms like: Nitrogen Gas-Injected Dielectric stuff, 10-layer, shielding, air tube insulation, carbon-based noise dissipation system, dielectric bias system, etc. etc., but I do believe that the usage of good materials like 99.99% ofc copper, 24k gold contacts, good shielding, etc could make a hearable difference!
So I do believe that the standard 'small size' powerlink cables and el-cheapo rca cables could be a inhibiting factor, especially on very long distances.For myself, I am particularly interested if it would make a hearable difference if I invest in better quality rca leads/interlinks in my stereo setup with relative short cables (max. 3 meters tot each Beolab) or even swap my 'mediocre' rca cables for the (Sounds Heavenly) triggering kit with standard mk3 cables I have lying around...?
Yes, the high-end cables sell on a daily basis, we probably sell one of these for every two or three standard cables that we sell. They have been very well received and we have had good feedback from customers on the results. The aim has always been to stick to sensible, proven improvements at reasonable prices, ie. thicker copper and silver conductors, high quality gold plugs, good shielding, etc.
Rather than me giving you my views, I will ask if other BeoWorlders who have tried them can comment please!
Thanks for your explanation Steve. Would love to hear experiences from other Beoworlders.
Could you give your opinion on using two 3 meter rca cables versus the usage of the trigerring kit with two stock mk3 powerlink cables to my BL8000's, looking at soundquality?
The triggering kit won't affect the sound quality (as its role is to force the speakers to remain activated in Powerlink mode), but it does change the way that the speakers operate.
I would normally suggest that the RCA line inputs are the best way to use Beolab 8000 speakers in most cases where they are connected to a non-B&O system, so that the speakers can automatically sense for music and turn on or off accordingly.
In around 10% of cases (usually where the speakers are being used as rear channels in a surround sound system) the switching of the speakers can become a distraction to the music, in these cases I suggest using the triggering kit to give manual control over the speaker switching.
Oddly enough I ordered a MKiii powerlink cable from Steve this week to replace a thin cable going from a BM6500 to BL2 and BL8000 - not sure if my original cable was duff but the difference is that the BL8000's now sound really clear and much better than before so I am more than happy with the upgrade. In fact nearly all my cables have been from Steve and I have been happy with them as they seem to me better quality than stuff I bought in the past.
A quick question on the trigger kit - is there anyway that could be used to drive a BL2/BL8000 through the equalizer output on a BM6000/BM8000 (the older ones) I have always wanted one but want to keep my speakers - or is there another kit available.
Hi Andrew,
Glad to hear the cable has improved the sound from your system!
Yes, you can connect a Beolab 2 subwoofer to the pre-out sockets on a classic Beomaster 6000 or 8000, this subwoofer needs a powered cable to generate the trigger signals that would normally be sent from a B&O system as it doesn't have a Line input switch:-
http://soundsheavenly.com/line-in-connection/101-singletwin-rca-to-beolab-2-7-10-2500-powered-trigger-kit.html
The Beolab 8000 speakers will then plug into the two output sockets on the Beolab 2 using standard Powerlink mk.3 cables (one cable is needed for each speaker):-
http://soundsheavenly.com/powerlink-8-pin-din-connection/20-powerlink-mk-3-compatible-8-pin-din-cable-with-4-cores-wired-low-profile-cable.html