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
Hello all,
Recently I've considered finally upgrading to the Beolab 5 however in doing research I've come to realise they're sort of unique in the B&O range in terms of connectivity.
My current set up is a Beolab 8000 pair and Beolab 2 sub, fairly decent sound and for sure more 'fun' sound than the precise studio monitors I also use in the second room. My set up is with a non-b&o TV and pre amp so this is going to get complicated I fear.
Anyway in looking at old threads I gather the BL5s are sort of a hybrid digital design, correct me if wrong but in order to use PL I need a b&o unit that can send power link data for volume control? Which models do this? Also in theory I can still use my 'hacked' power link and continue to control volume in analogue like today but do the Beolab 5 not work this way?
Another option I have is to use the spdif and use a Beo4 remote for volume control. I can convert toslink to coax spdif easily but volume control needs to be done somewhere, is my thinking correct?
Seems to most "ideal" set up is using a Beosound 5 connected via spdif & PL but I'd like to avoid such redundancy.
I do appreciate your input and hopefully my message is not lost
bl5 can be used with digital cinch. the volume control is done directly with the beo4 because there is an ir receiver built inside the bl5.
in order to use them in digital mode you have to set the l.opt to 1 ( 0 is for the powerlink)
just take the beo4 in front the bl5 and press at the same time the red dot button and list button, select option, select l.opt and press 1.
the led of the bl5 should blink.
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...
Hi davidr,
Beolab 5 are very flexible when it comes to input connections, as you can use either Powerlink, analogue RCA line in (either fixed line or volume regulated) or digital S/PDIF.
If you can please let us know the details of your pre-amp, then we can give you a better view of how to connect the speakers.
Kind regards, Steve.
Steve.
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@olvisab
Thanks, this is simple advice basically the beo4 can control everything. Question, does the input setting get memorised? So the next time, I simply need to press "CD" I think and they'll be ready from standby?
Basic I know though just curious about the usability aspect.
Also as far as I know any beo4 remote should work, nothing I need to look out for?
I am aware to get the 'newer' Beolab 5 models with sync sockets to ensure volume levels are equally set.
Steve you're right let me detail my set up.
Today:
AppleTV toslink > Rotel RC1570 toslink, > variable RCA pre out &12v > Powmas RCA trigger to PL > PL Beolab 2 > PL x2 Beolab 8000.
We found to be only using the AppleTV anyway so I actually removed a bunch of complexity and simply using that. All our music is streamed digitally either via airplay or net radio so additional analogue sources are not a concern.
Tomorrow:
Now my thinking with the Beolab 5 is actually to remove the Rotel and directly source from digital. So I can skip an AD conversion. I gather that means a small toslink/spdif converter then a coax spdif to Beolab 5. In future I can get an spdif auto switcher if I require more digital sources. Doubtful if I will ever add analogue sources.
AppleTV only outputs fixed level 48k/16 audio so should be fine to use with Beolab 5 which will act as a DA internally. My tele is a LG OLED which also outputs either HDMI ARC or toslink. However at this time I don't make use of any other sources.
You can only use the radio button to wake them up. No other button.
This is the only solution when you use them with spdif digital input.
Any beo4 remote should work. Unless you need to change the setting option, you can also use a beolink 1000 or even a beotime.
Excellent precise info, operation sounds simple enough
So it seems my desired set up is actually workable? spdif is perfectly working with non-b&o kit and I am not envisioning a false set up?
Thanks..
David.