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
And some of you will surely laugh at this approach, and that is fine, no harm in trying it out...
I've been looking for a second-hand BS5E for a little while now, and here in the states they just don't come up for sale very often. This was going to be at the expense of not having a BS9000 anymore as I can not have both for financial reasons. But as time has worn on I have been A). less impressed with the capabilities of the BS5E, B). read several threads regarding problems with the device, and C). don't use Masterlink (which isn't available on the BS5E anyway) or B&O video products, which can interconnect nicely with BS5/E. I also don't have a NAS nor any desire to establish one.
So I got to thinking about how much I dislike products with low resolution screens after having switched all of my Apple equipment to Retina displays, including my 13 inch MBP. Then I thought about how close the screen size is of the BS5E to the 9.7 inch iPad and the fact that an iPad also always has a data connection present just like the BS5E, except that with the iPad music can be purchased as well. Not only that, the iPad has twice the screen resolution and a beautiful LED lit IPS screen unlike the BS5's CCFL (I presume, based on the loose LCD itself which I've seen for sale) backlight which is likely to dim as the years press on. The iPad can also be streamed to from the master iTunes library, access the music on the device itself, AND propagate any purchased music to the whole network giving incredible flexibility.
So, much as I'd like to have another chunky device with the B&O logo on it I just can't bring myself to get rid of a product as iconic as the 9000 for something where an iPad could handle 90 percent of its duties. So the next question that popped in my head was "surely someone makes floor stands for the iPad...the floor stand is part of what gives the BS5 its beauty and presence"... And sure enough I found the stand at the bottom of this page (sorry I'm on the ipad as a matter of fact so I don't think I can upload photos from here) which follows the B&O form surprisingly well... http://www.tablethire.co.uk/ipad-floor-stands.htm
And that is one of many. So instead of going whole hog on the BS5, I think I am going to give the iPad on a stick a shot as I think it would be beautiful with a pair of BL8000s, and the Playmaker allows me to keep some semblance of "B&O-ness" in the mix, while at the same time being able to hide that rather ugly box relatively out of sight. And really, the playmaker is there primarily to interface with the speakers (and I presume it has bass treble and loudness control available from the Beo4) so the iPad could even be plugged to the line input of the Playmaker for consistent playback, and friends who have iPhones or DLNA compliant Android devices could stream their playlists to the Playmaker when they come over. At least that's the way I'm assuming it would work.
Hi,
I really don't understand how you can "critisize" a bs5 because of its display resolution.
This is just a minor detail. It looks perfect to me.
Even without a floor stand , your ipad solution ( or any other android solution) combine with a playmaker will perfectly do the job.
I hope that you will have the opportunity to find a second hand bs5 as soon as possible.
I owned a bs9000 and bought a bs5/bm5 last month. I reselled my bs9000 mk3 on saturday without any regrets.
Have a nice day
BR
Olivier
4 beolab 5, beolab 9, beolab 10, beolab 5000, beolab 8000 mk2, beolab 6002, beolab 3500, beovision 7 55 mk2, 2 beovision 11 46 mk4, beotime, beosound ouverture, beosound essence, beoplay A8, beomaster 900 RG de luxe and the collection continues...
olvisab: Hi, I really don't understand how you can "critisize" a bs5 because of its display resolution. This is just a minor detail. It looks perfect to me. Even without a floor stand , your ipad solution ( or any other android solution) combine with a playmaker will perfectly do the job. I hope that you will have the opportunity to find a second hand bs5 as soon as possible. I owned a bs9000 and bought a bs5/bm5 last month. I reselled my bs9000 mk3 on saturday without any regrets. Have a nice day BR Olivier
Hmm. Olivier it's not a criticism so much as a personal preference. You have to understand that for me even going from a Retina iPad to an iPad mini is "jarring" for my eyes. So it stands to reason that if an 8 inch display at 1024x768 is less than optimal, a 10 inch display at the same resolution would be even less so. That doesn't mean it's not a perfectly acceptable resolution for what BeoSound 5 does, and I do still want one, I just think the iPad might do the job too. Maybe I will hate the iPad and Playmaker, don't know until I try it.
olvisab: Even without a floor stand , your ipad solution ( or any other android solution) combine with a playmaker will perfectly do the job.
Exactly the solution I chose, recently - see my thread about being impressed with the Playmaker.
I traded in my BeoSound 4 (with floor stand), connected a Playmaker to the BL3s/BL11, stream radio, music and other audio either from an iPad Mini or direct from my NAS drive. The iPad Mini can run for a week, streaming audio, without requiring a recharge! And it's right next to me, on my desk. Ideal.
I guess there's a "little" detail you are missing while choosing the Apple solution:Quality sound!you don't need Beolab 8000 or anything from B&O to listen to some MP3 or AAC Files...
moxxey: olvisab: Even without a floor stand , your ipad solution ( or any other android solution) combine with a playmaker will perfectly do the job. Exactly the solution I chose, recently - see my thread about being impressed with the Playmaker. I traded in my BeoSound 4 (with floor stand), connected a Playmaker to the BL3s/BL11, stream radio, music and other audio either from an iPad Mini or direct from my NAS drive. The iPad Mini can run for a week, streaming audio, without requiring a recharge! And it's right next to me, on my desk. Ideal.
Since I haven't found a BS5E, I did a bad thing tonight and bought a pair of BL3s too because they were a good deal and included the floor stands :( I hear you talking about them frequently Moxxey so I had to take the plunge as one of the last pairs of B&O speakers I have not yet heard.
The Pentas have, I think, cemented their positions. But love the BL8000 as I do, I will be very curious to find out how the BL3 stacks up with them. Because I don't have room for both.
TWG: I guess there's a "little" detail you are missing while choosing the Apple solution:Quality sound!you don't need Beolab 8000 or anything from B&O to listen to some MP3 or AAC Files...
Yeah, fair point, and I figured someone would bring that up. But MP3s and AACs are all I have currently, and if I'm not mistaken the Mk I version of the Playmaker has support for FLAC.
Hi Playdrv4me,
why such a long story?
Just buy a Playmaker - connect it to the A.AUX of the BS9000 - hide the PM away - use your iPad for AirPlay-back - press A.AUX to hear any sound played to the PM through your LS.
Greetings MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Hi TWG,
you are right, IF we only read the last part of your post
BUT, regarding to the possibilty to hear "Quality sound" with "the Apple solution", you had better inform yourself on the subject before writing such nonsense.
1: ALAC is equal to FLAC.
2: you can play FLAC files on/via an iDevice from a NAS/PC/MAC with ease - in several different ways.
3: you can play FLAC files stored locally on the iDevice with the FlacPlayer app.
4: AirPlay uses ALAC when transferring to the AirPlay receiver - which means: no loss of quality when AirPlay-ing FLAC or ALAC files from the iDevice.
Grrr! Millemissen
Playdrv4me: I did a bad thing tonight and bought a pair of BL3
I agree with Moxxey.BL3 are a very good purchase if you use a bl11 or bl2 (too powerfull for me) with them.
Penta 2 or 3 could be a better choice but not a pair of 8000.
Sound quality with wireless solutions is true in theory but not in daily use. You won't avoid some latency or perturbations from outside.
Maybe you don't notice it or hear it but it is a fact.
THE ONLY PERFECT SOLUTION for audio and video quality is cat6/cat7 wiring.
As for 'Video': Yes! (but what about HDMI?)
As for 'Audio': Bullshit! (and what about USB/optical or coaxcial digital connections?)
Grrr!MM
Millemissen: Hi Playdrv4me, why such a long story? Just buy a Playmaker - connect it to the A.AUX of the BS9000 - hide the PM away - use your iPad for AirPlay-back - press A.AUX to hear any sound played to the PM through your LS. Greetings MM
Yes totally agree. The beauty of this solution is that it still allows me to keep my BS9000 and use it elsewhere and then have the PM and the iPad on a stick connected to the BL3s (or 8000s etc). Where I could only have one system before, now I can have two. The iPad thing is for the same reason as the BS5E. I find it very cool to walk into a room, press a button and have an entire library of music at hand from a dedicated device that is always there. My favorite thing about the BS5E is the way it looks on the stand. I just want to replicate that look with the 9 inch iPad.
Millemissen: As for 'Video': Yes! (but what about HDMI?) As for 'Audio': Bullshit! (and what about USB/optical or coaxcial digital connections?) Grrr!MM
Lol Millemissen, you always give me a chuckle, even if you do not intend to. :)
"cat6/cat7 wiring", was just an example. Any good wiring will do the job perfectly.
CAT6/7 wiring can be used at the beginning for transmission between rooms and it is future proof.
@olvisab -
By the way, my favorite setup for music is:
LMS (server) on my NAS (FLAC files) hardwired to the Squeezebox Touch, which is hardwired to the Playmaker, which is hardwired to the BeoMaster. The iPad/the iPad app 'Squeezeplay' is merely the controller/the remote!
But I AirPlay as well - Spotify, podcasts and NetRadio....
...through WiFi
@Playdrv4me - Miaw 🐯
Hreetings Millemissen
Millemissen:By the way, my favorite setup for music is:
I was sure. I don't need a proof of it because I know you are smart. :)
I must admit that these little apps are usefull as remote.
Millemissen: TWG: I guess there's a "little" detail you are missing while choosing the Apple solution:Quality sound!you don't need Beolab 8000 or anything from B&O to listen to some MP3 or AAC Files... Hi TWG, you are right, IF we only read the last part of your post BUT, regarding to the possibilty to hear "Quality sound" with "the Apple solution", you had better inform yourself on the subject before writing such nonsense. 1: ALAC is equal to FLAC. 2: you can play FLAC files on/via an iDevice from a NAS/PC/MAC with ease - in several different ways. 3: you can play FLAC files stored locally on the iDevice with the FlacPlayer app. 4: AirPlay uses ALAC when transferring to the AirPlay receiver - which means: no loss of quality when AirPlay-ing FLAC or ALAC files from the iDevice. Grrr! Millemissen
Please stay polite!I know about ALAC - but it's as closed as the rest of the Apple world. I prefer FLAC but OFFICIALY it's not possible "out of the box" to use with Apple products. As you said: Only with possible 3rd party software.If you want FLAC: You'll need a 1st generation Playmaker (as stated above)
TWG: Please stay polite!I know about ALAC - but it's as closed as the rest of the Apple world. I prefer FLAC but OFFICIALY it's not possible "out of the box" to use with Apple products. As you said: Only with possible 3rd party software.If you want FLAC: You'll need a 1st generation Playmaker (as stated above)
I am always polite - although it not always seem so
I just wanted to clear up all the misinterpretations of what iDevices are capable of - often it is the user that is incompetent, uninterested or at least not curious enough.
1: ALAC being 'closed' - sure, but you asked for 'Quality' - and ALAC is quality.
You can easily convert to and from FLAC/ALAC. Speaking of 'closed': have you ever tried to convert a 'WMA Lossless' file to FLAC - that is what I call 'closed'!!!
2: "OFFICIALLY out of the box" - as long as things are possible (no hacks necessary), it is right for me - you don't have to ask for permission, do you?
And most app's are 3rd party by the way.
3: "If you want FLAC: You'll need a 1st generation Playmaker" - Yes that is right.....if you want to use the DLNA port. - (and don't blame Apple for that - blame B&O).
If you use a FLAC capable DLNA app on your iDevice and AirPlay from it, you don't need the DLNA port on a Playmaker anyway.
So no use in making war against the "Apple World". Those who are satisfied with the 'Apple-out of the box solution', may use it so (with or without ALAC).
Those who are 'clever' enough will 'tweak' their iDevices and their 2.gen Playmaker to play FLAC.
If you do not like Apple at all, stay away and find other solutions - there are plenty out there.
Greetings - in the most polite way I could today - Millemissen
Millemissen:You can easily convert to and from FLAC/ALAC. Speaking of 'closed': have you ever tried to convert a 'WMA Lossless' file to FLAC - that is what I call 'closed'!!!
How so? You just download foobar2000 and tell it to do it.
--mika
Millemissen: I am always polite - although it not always seem so I just wanted to clear up all the misinterpretations of what iDevices are capable of - often it is the user that is incompetent, uninterested or at least not curious enough. 1: ALAC being 'closed' - sure, but you asked for 'Quality' - and ALAC is quality. You can easily convert to and from FLAC/ALAC. Speaking of 'closed': have you ever tried to convert a 'WMA Lossless' file to FLAC - that is what I call 'closed'!!! 2: "OFFICIALLY out of the box" - as long as things are possible (no hacks necessary), it is right for me - you don't have to ask for permission, do you? And most app's are 3rd party by the way. 3: "If you want FLAC: You'll need a 1st generation Playmaker" - Yes that is right.....if you want to use the DLNA port. - (and don't blame Apple for that - blame B&O). If you use a FLAC capable DLNA app on your iDevice and AirPlay from it, you don't need the DLNA port on a Playmaker anyway. So no use in making war against the "Apple World". Those who are satisfied with the 'Apple-out of the box solution', may use it so (with or without ALAC). Those who are 'clever' enough will 'tweak' their iDevices and their 2.gen Playmaker to play FLAC. If you do not like Apple at all, stay away and find other solutions - there are plenty out there. Greetings - in the most polite way I could today - Millemissen
Thanks for clearing up that polite thing. Please don't misunderstand: I'm not against Apple products in general as my home computer is from that company - but on the other side I would never ever buy an iPhone and an iPod again. I've learned that they are clearly not the right solutions for me.There are plenty of solutions and it's clearly an aim to find the best solution for your personal situation. This implies a little bit of research - no matter which kind of solution and at which area you are searching a solution.Have a nice day and enjoy the polite conversation.
tournedos: Millemissen:You can easily convert to and from FLAC/ALAC. Speaking of 'closed': have you ever tried to convert a 'WMA Lossless' file to FLAC - that is what I call 'closed'!!! How so? You just download foobar2000 and tell it to do it.
Used to have foobar2000 on my WinXP machine as default player - best player on Win.
Actually - at that time - I never had a WMA Lossless file.
A short while ago, after 'converting' to MAC - which I haven't regret - I tried to do a conversion , and did not have any success.
Have to grab my old roaring win machine again, if ever in need.
So I simply forgot it right now
Many thanks for reminding me!
And that doesn't change any of my arguments for using "FLAC to iDevice to Playmaker".
Greetings Millemissen
TWG: Have a nice day and enjoy the polite conversation.
Have a nice day and enjoy the polite conversation.
You too
Gretings Millemissen