Will BeoLab 8000 speakers work with Marantz Melody Media Networked CD Player?

Reply

rsb123 Posted: Tue, Jan 17 2017 10:55 AM

rated by 0 users

B&O newbie here. Really liking the look of the B&O active speakers. I was looking at picking up a pair of BL6000s or BL8000s second hand on eBay (hopefully collecting in person to listen before buying).

However I am not so thrilled with the B&O options for receivers/systems though. The BeoSound 4 is probably closest to what I'm looking for but a bit out of my price range, even second hand. I would like something that has flexibility to play: CDs, DAB/FM radio, Bluetooth, Airplay, Spotify connect built in, NAS interface, Wifi etc. A big ask I know but I don't see any B&O kit that will do all that without adding on a bunch of messy cables and boxes.

So I found this Marantz networked media player which seems to do it all: http://www.richersounds.com/product/mini-hi-fi/marantz/mcr611-melody-media/mara-mcr611-wht

It does appear to have preamp outs via RCA jacks in back panel. Would that suffice to run to run BL8000 speakers? I see the 8000s accept an RCA/phono input so I just need a power lead for the speakers?

Is there sound degradation using RCA connections vs B&O Powerlink cables?

Are there any other systems like the Marantz Melody Media that I should be looking at?

thanks!

Reply

Steve at Sounds Heavenly replied on Tue, Jan 17 2017 11:21 AM

rated by 0 users

Hi rsb123,

Welcome to Beoworld!  If you are looking at the M-CR611 network music player, this doesn't have pre-out sockets fitted (the Audio Out sockets are fixed volume line outputs for use with a separate pre-amplifier, so they are not suitable for connecting Beolab speakers).

Although this network player doesn't have pre-out sockets fitted, you can still connect the speakers by one of the two methods below:-

1) Connect two Beolab 8000 speakers to the headphone socket of the receiver with this cable: http://soundsheavenly.com/line-in-connection/77--trs-2rca-.html

2) Connect two Beolab 8000 speakers to the red and black speaker terminals on the back of the receiver using this special Attenuated Converter: http://soundsheavenly.com/line-in-connection/33--attenuator-.html and then use this cable to connect the speakers to the output sockets of the Converter: http://soundsheavenly.com/line-in-connection/6-av-processor-pre-amp-sonos-to-beolab-rca-line-in.html

Option 1 is cheaper, but the cable will be visible at the front of the receiver and this will disable any other speakers connected to the receiver.  Option 2 allows the cables to be hidden and the Beolab speakers can be used along with your other speakers if required.

Please set both speakers to “Line” mode using the small switch near the input sockets, there is no loss of sound quality when using the RCA inputs on the Beolab speakers.  Each speaker requires its own mains power cable, please feel free to get in touch if you don’t already have these as I keep these in stock in a wide choice of lengths.

Reply

rsb123 replied on Tue, Jan 17 2017 11:42 AM

rated by 0 users

Hey Steve - Thanks for the quick and detailed reply. 

I happened to find the online manual for that Marantz unit and it appears the analogue RCA outputs on the back can be switch between variable and and fixed:

http://manuals.marantz.com/MCR611/NA/EN/OBAOSYozlmjfug.php

If this is true, do you think this would prevent the need for any converters/adapters so I can just use a simple RCA cable?

I'll let you know if I need the power cables (if they don't come with the speakers I buy).

Thanks again

Reply

Steve at Sounds Heavenly replied on Tue, Jan 17 2017 12:03 PM

rated by 0 users

Hi,

Thanks for this.  Yes, if the analogue output is set to "variable", then the speakers can be connected directly using this cable:-

http://soundsheavenly.com/line-in-connection/6-av-processor-pre-amp-sonos-to-beolab-rca-line-in.html

Please set both speakers to “Line” mode using the small switch near the input sockets, there is no loss of sound quality when using the RCA inputs on the Beolab speakers.

Kind regards, Steve.

Reply

Millemissen replied on Tue, Jan 17 2017 1:13 PM

rated by 0 users

Funny - I looked up the user manual for the named 611 player.

This clearly states (on page 24), that it has a line-out connection.

This can furthermore (see page 96) be configured as fixed or variable (variable being the default and the one to use in this case).

As I see it, it will surely be possible to use the 611.

Just take some good cables (note: I did not say expensive!) for the connection to the BL8000 (assuming that you have the ones with line-in connection).

I am sure that Steve can provide the right cables ;-)

MM

Reply

rsb123 replied on Tue, Jan 17 2017 2:10 PM

rated by 0 users

Yes, now just need to ensure my kids don't switch from variable to fixed, making it full volumne, blowing my expensive speakers!