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
I have an iMac with all my music on connected to a pair of Beolab' 3's
the connection is through cables sold tome by the B&O store that connects to the iMac 3,5 head phone socket..
Colleagues tell me I could install a headphone amplifier that would allow me to use 'phones when I want to with all the power that a pair of an amplifier could supply & also fed speakers..this wouldn't use the headphone socket but use a USB connection...currently I have to unplug "one" to use the "other"
The reason I asked was I sometimes get an interference (hiss sound ) onto speakers when not in use playing music - even with iTunes "off"
are there any sources that could tell me the best way to improve things ?
can the experts on here tell me what to do ? (I realise I may be making huge mistakes & assumptions
any assistance appreciated - Thanks
Hi and welcome to Beoworld.
The sound of your BL3's would definitely benefit from a small USB-soundcard.
If you need the headphone-out too, go for something like this:
http://www.cnet.com/news/audioengines-terrific-tiny-usb-dacheadphone-amp/
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
When I had my Beolab 4000 with my Macbook pro, I was using this one:
http://www.marcmart.com/ebay/a/AM191/AM191-4m.jpg
It has a sturdy volume knob on it, which gives volume adjustment a great feel.
You can connect your mac through toslink or USB. It also gives you the opportunity to connect other devices, for example a record player.
It has gotten pretty good review. Only issue have with it, it that it needs to be turned of and on sometimes due to syncing issues with the optical connection.
"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"
BeoNut since '75
And alerts of all kind wake up the speakers.
This can be avoided using the USB-DAC - as I suggested.
Gentlemen
Many many thanks for the advice...
I plunged & bought an AudioEngine D1 (a colleague has used one & speaks very highly of it...) its an awesome piece of kit.
Steve from Heavenly was most helpful suggesting what I needed + suggested how I can integrate the Belolab 11 subwoofer. So I have eliminated the hissing noise & improved my system a whole bunch. A mega rapid service too.....
This an iTunes question so may be out place here...to connect a DAC the iMac settings have to be switched to USB...this disables the F10, 11 & 12 keyboard buttons & the Apple remote from controlling volume. Which is sort of OK when at the keyboard with 'phones on...but if sat elsewhere remote from the Mac all you can do remotely is to swap track.....no option to adjust or mute the volume.
I realise that being a B&O site I ought to be looking at a B&O player which allows me the remote control options...but is there any was of getting around the volume control issue ?...to be fair my wife is thrilled with the on/off & volume control being "there" just below the iMac.
Are there any advantages of using an optical link from the iMac to the DAC ? above freeing up a USB port...is the sound improved ? (iMacs have an optical out in the head phone 3.5 socket)
Has anyone used Amarra software ?.(www.SonicStudio.com)..they do Sonic Studio an alternative to iTunes which is 32 bit.....but also do an equaliser (sQ)...am I wasting my time ?...being a B&O rebel ?....or something else that wastes $'s for little gain ?
If this isn't the place or forum for my query please tell me....
Actually the DAC & cables have made me realise just how good my Beolabs really are.
Thanks guys
The AudioEngine D1 was a good choice - for the price it is a perfect device (you will hardly need more DAC, than that) - and Steve for sure is the man
Trying to give you some short answers to your questions, I first of all would recommend you to use the hardware volumen control of the DAC.
Set the volumen control in your player at max and leave it there.
I know that it would be nice to do the controlling with the remote, but the above gives you the best sound quality.
If you really need to remote control the volumen, you would need a preamp for the BeoLabs with ir-controlling.
A BeoMaster (with PL-outs) of some kind could be used. You would have to route the sound-output from the DAC (again with a fixed near max level) to the Master, and control the volumen with the B&O remote.
Depending on your setup - I guess this could be too much 'efford'.
The small Apple remote works well for pausing and skipping, as far as I know. Alternatively you could use the Remote app for this.
Note: for the desktop version of Spotify there is a plugin for the Apple remote....
Using the optical output of your Mac will - imo - not give you a better sound, than the USB.
Whether a software like the Amarra will improve the sound from your BL-combo, I am not sure.
Best try it out to see how it feels. I guess that it would be 'a waste of $'s for little gain' - especially if your music collection is not entirely lossless quality files.
I am not a friend of equalizers - I like to let the mixing/mastering engeneers do that job. Some people, however like to fiddle with these things
Enjoy your setup - you already have done a lot to improve it.
Thanks Guys - yet again
True words of wisdom..
I have accepted the volume control is by "knob"..
Also I have accepted the Amarra Sq software was a mistake..
I have successfully removed this from my iMac
This software is very invasive & was a sod to remove..
The sound from my Beolab 3's is simply superb
You'll benefit by switching from USB to optical S/PDIF out if you are experiencing crackling sounds during music / sound playback. A common problem with e.g. USB-audioInterfaces and a not ideal (audio) configuration of the computer - no matter how good / expensive the interface is. I don't know if USB-DACs suffer from the same problems as I have no experience with them.
I'm using a- T.C. Electronics Desktop konnekt 6 as a monitor controller on my iMac http://www.tcelectronic.com/desktop-konnekt-6/?setLanguage=true
and the - Novation Audiohub. http://us.novationmusic.com/audio-interfaces/audiohub-2x4If you want to go all digital, I can recommend e.g. the - T.C. Electronics BMC-2http://www.tcelectronic.com/bmc-2/It's my experience that the professional studio electronic companies often have solutions that are harder to find in the consumer market and for fairer prices! And a big plus: You don't have to fear about lousy quality or bad support.And don't worry about "the knob" for controlling volume... it's much faster than keyboard and mouse ;-)