Would you ever use a none B&O receiver as part of your system?

Hey all, i've recently got set up with a B&O stereo set up and have been super happy.

Beolab 8000

AV7000 receiver

Beogram 3000 turntable

Beogram CDX

 

HOWEVER, recently the sound has been fading in and out of the speakers between R and L channels. There is clearly something going on with my AV7000 receiver.

 

My question to all is:

a) Do i spend the money getting my B&O AV7000 receiver repaired risking it spending $200+ and it still not making the most of the amazing speakers?

or

b) Do i buy a none B&O amp to run the turntable, CD player, and my WIFI receiver out from?

AND if b, any recommendations for which unit i should buy? Will be willing to spend up to $500 ish.

Since you seem to only use the AV7000 for audio, you could buy a similar preowned Beomaster (6500/7000/4500/3500) as a replacement.

MM

Does it make any sense to by a none B&O receiver or does it just complicate things?

djhayes2004:

Does it make any sense to by a none B&O receiver or does it just complicate things?

It's no problem to use Beolab speakers with a non B&O system. The receiver only needs "pre outputs" (RCA/Cinch sockets).
If you need a special cable you can ask Steve from soundsheavenly. If you have a Beolink 7000 or a Beo 4 you'll lose remote control ability. If you have a Beo 5 or Beo 6 there are enough ways to copy the remote control codes of e.g. a Sony remote, make a XML-file out of it and program the Beo 5 / 6 like you want to control the Sony, too.

Back years ago, late 90's, when I bought my BS9000 and Beolab 8000s, I went to an AV7000 to integrate the audio and video system. I never thought the AV7000 sounded that good or was that good of a processor, my Fosgate was far better, it even had a mode that supported stereo surrounds unlike the mono of the AV7000/Dolby ProLogic standard of the day. Eventually I tired of the compromise, and separated the two systems, going with an AV Receiver and a LCR soundbar for the video setup, and leaving the B&O stuff to handle stereo/music. Big improvement. To this day I do this, though at times I consider merging the two again, but I'm happy with how each sounds so haven't been too motivated other than a thought experiment.

I currently use a Marantz AVR with the auto setup mic and such, which does a fine job. I could recommend one of the Marantz AVRs that have pre outs (mine is a low end one that doesn't) as I find them reliable and easy to setup. It also integrated my sub very well automatically (only used for video, don't really need it with the Beolab 9s I currently use in my main setup). With the autosetup mic you average 6 positions, the listening position and 5 others in a box configuration around the main listening seat, and it did a bang up job of setup.

 

If you don't mind the bulkiness of the box, what about a Beosystem 1? I had an AV7000 years ago, and moved to the BS1 and found it better and easier to integrate.

I've since moved to a Beosystem 3, as many others, and there are plenty available for cheap. You could use it as a video engine (if you only need 1080i) as well.

I have an AV7000 and It's indeed a most finicky unit. I wouldn't bother having it fixed (providing you can even find somebody able to do so. )

Mine has since been retired to my office and serves as a paperweight as I have another system that works well there already  and I don't want to deal with installing it.

If you only use the setup for listening to audio, just change it for a Beomaster 5500/6500/7000.  You'll have a nice classic system that many of us still enjoy every day.... If you can, find one with a phono amp build in. These work great with all B&O turntables and use the beo4 remotes.

If you need video connections, skip the beosystem1 (now fully outdated and the thing is ugly, huge and heavy.) but go for the Beosystem3.