Noise on a Beolab 18 and BeoSound Essence setup

Dear all,

I have a setup with a pair of Beolab 18 and a BeoSound Essence connected by Powerlink (RJ45).

I have noticed that there is quite a lot of background noise from this setup. I have tested the Beolab 18 speakers with a SPDIF connection instead, this makes them sound much better.

I suspect that the reason for the noise is that the Powerlink cables are run close to the power cables for the speakers and that the shielding on the Bang & Olufsen Powerlink cables therefore is insufficient. To test this I have ordered a high quality Cat7 patch cable (http://www.jenving.com/products/view/cat-7-stp-patch-1001908415).

Do any of you have experience with replacing the stock Bang & Olufsen Powerlink cables with shielded ones? Can you recommend any particular brand etc? I understand that the cables should be Cat7, I assume that the higher grade the lesser noise?

On another note. Do any of you know why Bang & Olufsen chose not to have SPDIF out on the Essence or have made a digital version of the Powerlink cable (coaxial style)? Cost cutting?

 

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Which mk of Powerlink cables do you have? They should be mkIII I think.

Dave.

Hey Dave,

It's the new RJ45 (ethernet) style cables. As far as I know they only come in one mk from Bang & Olufsen.

Ah, OK. I hadn't realised that as I don't have those speakers (yet). As they are the official cables, it does sound like outside interference then. Hope you can fix it as audible buzz/hum is not nice.

Dave.