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
Hello,
I'm new to this forum (and to home theater setups in general) and am looking for guidance on how best to manage my various AV inputs with my Bang & Olufsen speakers (2 Beolab 18s and 1 Beolab 19), which are currently being controlled by a Beolab Transmitter 1.
Short Version: My goal is to be able to switch between 2 audio inputs: 1 for music (Spotify streamed to Sonos Connect), 1 for TV (typically cable and AppleTV).
Long Version (so many questions!)
Traditionally, I would've thought that I'd need an AV receiver, but since the Beolabs are self-powered, it seems like buying a receiver would mean paying for an amp that I don't need.
(1) Is there such thing as an AV Receiver without amplification? A processor? A pre-amp? What's the difference between these things? What do most folks use with their Beolabs these days?
(2) It seems abnormal in the world of high-end speakers to not have an external amp. What's this group's thinking on the pros/cons of B&O's choice to use built-in amps?
(3) I've looked into getting a network audio streamer, something like Cambridge Audio's CXN (https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/usa/en/products/hi-fi/cx-series-2/cxn). This would eliminate the need for the Sonos Connect (since this would be able to stream Spotify directly to the Transmitter) and it could function as a very basic input-toggle (switching between two optical inputs). But it obviously falls short of the options that would otherwise come with a Receiver.
(4) The Beosound Core looks like it would sort of work. It appears to have the functionality of a network streamer (like Cambridge Audio's CXN) in that it has built in streaming for Spotify (among others). My main issue with the Core is that it's extremely limited in terms of the number of inputs and outputs it supports.
(5) As far as I can tell, the Transmitter has no means to control which inputs are sent to the speaker, short of physically unplugging/replugging those wires into the back of the Transmitter (which is what I'm literally doing today). It also doesn't have a mechanism for controlling volume. I downloaded the Bang & Olufsen app to see if this offered any further options, but I don't see the Transmitter 1 (or Beolab 18s) in the list of devices supported by the app.
(6) When I stream Spotify, I typically do so through Sonos to multiple Sonos speakers which I have throughout my house. In an ideal setup, I would be able to continue playing my Beolab18s in sync with my other Sonos speakers as part of the larger multi-room streaming setup. I'm not sure if a network streamer would allow for this or if this can only be accomplished by using Sonos Connect as the input for music to the Beolabs.
What my setup looks like today:
I realize this is clearly suboptimal. I'd love any guidance on how to improve my setup.
Many thanks in advance!
- Scott
Short answer: Buy a stereo receiver e.g. Marantz NR1200. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVXW5FBSoJ8
1) Yes there are. Usually too pricey for my taste, I just buy amps with preouts. Of course there are cheaper preamps, but usually those don't have many audio inputs or hdmi input/outputs. A processor does tuning to the sound from any device using digital filters and makes it better (to each his own) and also Dolby digital, DTS, Atmos are all from processor :) A pre-amp is low noise amplifier that amplifies weak level signal to more higher level that it can be processed further or power amplied for loud speakers without increasing the noise. I use Marantz SR6014 with my 4x beolab 8000 + 1x beolab 7.2 and B&W PV1 subwoofer.
2) https://www.whathifi.com/advice/active-vs-passive-speakers-whats-the-difference-which-is-better Why not devices like beosound 3200 would have not been possible without active design.
3) no comment Marantz NR1200 has built in streamer and there are many other.
4) same as 3)
5) Just plug the transmitter to stereo receivers preouts.
6) Plug sonos connect to stereo receiver via sonos connect audio outs.
Probably decent solution.
edit. You can most likely use your tv remote to control the Marantz NR1200 or some other amp.
- Arttu
4x Beolab 8000, 1x Beolab 7.2, 2x Beolab 4000, Beomaster 6500, Beovox RL 6000