Beolab 8000 connected through Line In - power oscilates between on and off when sound source stopped

Reply

piresdafonte Posted: Sat, Jan 31 2015 4:16 PM

rated by 0 users

I have recently set up  my Beolab 8000 speakers via the Line in source on the speakers, connected directly to my ipod. Each speaker is connected to a powerpoint via an individual power cable. I am not using any powerlink cables. When I remove the ipod from the jack / stop the sound, after a minute or so, the speakers automatically switch off. Rather than staying off however, they oscilate between on and off in a very short cycle (5-10 seconds or so). Is there something else I need to add to the system? Do I need to add a powerlink cable to the setup.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Reply

Jeff replied on Sat, Jan 31 2015 4:48 PM

rated by 0 users

Does it do this if the iPod is off but still connected to the wire leading to the Beolabs? If not, the problem is the plug when disconnected from the iPod is acting line an antenna and picking up hum and noise, a common problem. If you touch your fingers across the connectors on the plug you will probably get a buzzing and hum as your body improves the antenna and increases the amount of noise.

I'd suggest getting an iPod dock of the type used to connect an iPod to a stereo, usually just a small thing to slip the iPod into that has wires out the back. Often these seem to ground better when you remove the iPod.

At any rate it sounds like a fairly normal issue albeit an annoying one. Lots of hum and noise radiating from power lines and such.

Reply

piresdafonte replied on Sat, Jan 31 2015 5:22 PM

rated by 0 users

I've just tried leaving the ipod plugged in - this seems to solve the problem. I'll purchase a dock and see if this allows me to fully resolve the problem, allowing my to disconnect the ipod and have the speakers stay in the off/ standby mode.

On another subject, I'm looking into replacing the cast iron stands on my Beolab 8000 with a timber block aesthetic, using the inner part of the B&O base as the weight. You may consider the idea of modifying a B&O system blasphemy. In the event that you forgive me, do you know of anybody that has already done this / sell such a retrofit solution?

Reply

Jeff replied on Sat, Jan 31 2015 5:26 PM

rated by 0 users

I wouldn't spend a ton of money on a dock, just in case it doesn't work. But the old Philips one I have seems to work, of course it's the old connector type so won't work on my new devices.

Don't know anyone who's done that to the bases of a set of BL8000s, but they're your speakers, if it makes you happy go for it. If the frets weren't such a pain to get off and on right I might have switched mine to white from black but so far it hasn't seemed worth the bother.

Reply

piresdafonte replied on Sat, Jan 31 2015 5:48 PM

rated by 0 users

I just changed my frets to white as my black frets were competely stretched and looking very tired. Makes them a lot lighter as an object in the space. No regrets. That's also why I wanted to replace the visually heavy base to something 'softer.' Replacing the frets was quite simple though - I simply pushed the fret upwards from the bottom (with a bit of force) and the fret slides right off. Putting new ones on was almost as simple - the difficult part was ensuring the the fret was correctly aliged with the top clips on the speaker. Once those first clips are aligned, the new frets slides on easily, again with steady force.

Reply

Jeff replied on Sat, Jan 31 2015 7:56 PM

rated by 0 users

Interesting, I may have to try that after I get caught up with my multiple projects. I still have a pair of Beolab 6000s to rebuild, as well as a pair of Beovox 3000s. White would look better in my dining area where the BL8000s live.