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
Hi Everyone,
I just bought some Beolab 9's over the weekend in Denmark, they seem to be very reasonably priced there. I am from the UK but live in Norway.
Anyway, I got a pair from 2011 ,as new, for around 3000 GBP. My brother-in-law studies there and recommended this site: http://www.dba.dk/, its the Dainish ebay to put it simply. Anyway I highly recommend it if you are looking for a good deal. Super happy with the result! And of course I have no affiliation with the site but just want to let everyone know in case they were looking for a bargain.
Anyway to the main point I am really having trouble looking into what the best solution is for me to interface the Lab 9's into my setup. I have tried searching the forum but am not really finding the right answer. I called the Bang and Olufsen store in Oslo and they didnt seem to want to recommend anything beyond the Playmaker and Beosound 5.
I currently own a Samsung F8505 LED which I would like to link in. I would also like to use a mix of DLNA; Airplay, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth and perhaps even dock into the system for music. Not all of these are a must just a general thought and obviously sound quality is also another bid consideration here especially when using no B&O equipment. I have looked into the Playmaker and I am not 100% convinced, my network goes down quite often so it would be nice to have other options available.
So I guess my question: does anyone with any expertise in this area have any suggestions for Pre-Amp/Streaming solutions or something to that effect that facilitates any of this? If people outright recommend the playmaker as the simplest set up that I can consider it further but I would like to know if there are any particular other companies that work well with Beolabs. I really liked the look of this solution (http://www.myoliveone.com/) but its not release yet. Finally budget wise I really dont want to go over 600 GBP.
Thank you in advance for any advice you can provide!
My advice would be a Sonos Connect.
Cheap, easy to use, lots of functions including Spotify and Radio, good quality and much much more stable than a playmaker. (Which I had previously)
Regards,
Joost
BeoVision 11-55, BeoLab 8000, BeoRemote One BT, AppleTV 4, 2x BeoPlay A2, BeoPlay A1
Since you will have no problems understanding danish - have a look at this:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=c4-feed-u&v=UZe3f7gcwSI
You can (probably) find any cable you need there - and inspiration.
Or contact Steve at Sounds Heavenly (link is beneath).
Enjoy your BL9's
i - too - can recommend the Playmaker. Connect it to your router with an ethernet-cable if you have trouble with wifi at home.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Wow - I was too fast (or the interface of Beoworld on the iPad too slow).
Sorry - double post.
I have researched this for a while because I wanted to get the Beolab 12s previously and now I am just confused
One that is best suited for your needs is the
Pioneer N50
I hope I have more recommendations but it seems like the only option out there now with the whole suite - DLNA, Airplay, Bluetooth, Spotify , digital input provisions and even a dock.
You should just go ahead and marry that DAC. You practically listed everything underneath the sky and it got it all. Plus it is just a dollar short of your budget at 599.
Thank you Amazone, Millemissen and wonderfulelectric very much for your input. I really appreciate it, much more helpful than the B&O store .
Unfortunately I cannot hardwire the Playmaker, typical new build Norwegian apartments, the Wifi is built in on the other side of the apartment away from the living room and its hassle with the cables.
I am definitely going to take a look at the Sonos Connect and Pioneer N50. The latter really does cover my list! Will also check with Heavenly Sounds regarding cables as I am in the UK often. Will see if I get anymore suggestions for the moment.
Anyway I am really excited to get them set up, I have come close to purchasing them on a number of occasions but it never happened until now
Ill let you know how it progresses or if I come across anything else. Thanks again!
Although it is missing Airplay out of the box I would also include the Cambridge Audio Stream Magic 6 in the comparison. It does everything else and does it extremely well.
Ban boring signatures!
I would buy an Oppo 103 and use it as the control center. $499 US max. That machine is of the proper quality to drive the BL9. Connect the TV and either an Apple TV or a Roku ($50-$100) to it, and wirelessly connect.
BTW, I am shocked that a B&O dealer from whom you didn't buy the speakers promoted a Playmaker and BeoSound 5. Greedy *** trying to sell his own line.
Ammier:Thank you Amazone, Millemissen and wonderfulelectric very much for your input. I really appreciate it, much more helpful than the B&O store . Unfortunately I cannot hardwire the Playmaker, typical new build Norwegian apartments, the Wifi is built in on the other side of the apartment away from the living room and its hassle with the cables. I am definitely going to take a look at the Sonos Connect and Pioneer N50. The latter really does cover my list! Will also check with Heavenly Sounds regarding cables as I am in the UK often. Will see if I get anymore suggestions for the moment. Anyway I am really excited to get them set up, I have come close to purchasing them on a number of occasions but it never happened until now Ill let you know how it progresses or if I come across anything else. Thanks again!
Ammier: I am definitely going to take a look at the Sonos Connect and Pioneer N50. The latter really does cover my list!
I am definitely going to take a look at the Sonos Connect and Pioneer N50. The latter really does cover my list!
No it does not!! Unless you enjoy extreme loud volumes. The N50 has no volume control. Same goes for the Oppo.
It is also wise to look what kind of audio out your Samsung TV has. If it has digital out only, the Cambridge would be an excellent choice.
DoubleU: Ammier: I am definitely going to take a look at the Sonos Connect and Pioneer N50. The latter really does cover my list! No it does not!! Unless you enjoy extreme loud volumes. The N50 has no volume control. Same goes for the Oppo. It is also wise to look what kind of audio out your Samsung TV has. If it has digital out only, the Cambridge would be an excellent choice.
As well as a streaming hub the Cambridge unit is intended as a "digital preamp" to connect your various sources to either a separate power amp or, as in this case, active speakers.
From the Oppo Manual
1. On the BDP-103, the volume control only affects the analog
audio output. It does not apply to digital audio output (HDMI,
Coaxial and Optical) either in raw bitstream format or in
LPCM format.
2. The VOL +/- buttons on the player remote control are
provided as an alternative way of controlling the audio
volume. It is recommended that you use this control to make
the audio volume from the player the same as from other
sources, such as TV programs or a VCR.
x Press the VOL – button to decrease the volume.
x Press the VOL + button to increase the volume.
Okay Symmes, I stand corrected!
DoubleU, Good point, I actually just assumed it would have the volume control this is obviously important. Ill check the TV. Its the actually the same as the F8000 from this year, just a design variant.
Vince, I could actually also try and improve the network situation as you suggest.
Adding Cambridge Audio to the list of potentials. Decision, decisions! Mind you, with such speakers I dont want to get the sound source wrong. Just our of curiosity the playmaker is now on MKII, if I am not mistaken, any major upgrades over its predecessor. The review were not that great I curious to see if they improved it at all?
symmes: I would buy an Oppo 103 and use it as the control center. $499 US max. That machine is of the proper quality to drive the BL9. Connect the TV and either an Apple TV or a Roku ($50-$100) to it, and wirelessly connect. BTW, I am shocked that a B&O dealer from whom you didn't buy the speakers promoted a Playmaker and BeoSound 5. Greedy *** trying to sell his own line.
I love B&O but their stores not so much, you go in with one product in mind and they try and get you to buy the store. This has been my experience in both Norway and with some of the UK dealers anyway.
Oh my goodness well that was a major oversight for the Pioneer N50! It really does not have a volume control.
Albeit you can control volume via airplay or bluetooth.
I can't find a single decent Airplay Dacs with volume control in your price range now actually.
But there is the Nad D7050 with a built-in amplifier in it with pre-amp outputs which I intend to get just because.
It is similar to the Pioneer N50 but with a built-in power amplifier without a dock. It is very new and I am not sure how good the sound quality is as a Dac/Pre-amp. And it is a little bit out of your budget.
BTW the powerDAC built into the NAD is extremely well regarded and is built on a technological platform that is light years ahead of anything that is out there so... Give it a listen.
If you can bear it just a little longer I am sure NAD will bring out a version without a power amplifier. But I think the market might not allow that just like it doesn't allow the Pioneer N50 to have a volume control. The technology is there for sure but the market doesn't allow.
I think Cambridge audio is now your best bet.
Or if you don't want to compromise and don't mind an extra box, simply pair the cheaper Pioneer N30 as a digital media transport to a Pre-amp/DAC of your choice.
How are you going to wire up the roku 3?
I recommend a good preamplifier (Stereo or AV) which manages all connections.I'm using my old and trusty Sony TA-E2000ESD preamplifier where all components are hooked up to.The customizable display has the big bonus that you can name every source by your own which makes it easy for all family members to know what to choose as it can display e.g. "iTunes", "Bluetooth", "Airplay", "PS 3", "Beosound" or whatever you like.Than you can hook up every component YOU like to the preamplifier and have it your way. http://sekinesan.ddo.jp/av/gif&jpg/E20001.jpg
other pictures of the display: http://www.audio-extasa.eu/popup_add_image.php?imagesID=4493