After 25 years – My challenges upgrading my B&O Ecosystem

[Jakes]

Hello all,

After 25 glorious years of B&O with a number of their flagship (at that time) items I am finally and acutely aware that the 4K definition in various friends homes (example a 65″ LG G4 Smart TV) has got to me. My B&O Ecosystem is of the HD ilk.

Living in Melbourne Australia (half my system came from when I was in the UK 2002) to which I added a number of items in Australia.

My key challenge is upgrading now to the 4K Definition ecosystem but retaining a number of my older (flagship items) for on going use. It is particularly difficult to get information and practical knowledge in Australia for the upgrade path. I have tried !!

Any views from the veterans and others in this forum is greatly appreciated. I dare say there may be others in a similar situation to me, so your views and knowledge will help them too.

My current ecosystem.

– BeoVision 5 (now relegated to a bedroom – considered the flagship TV in 2000)
– Beosystem 3.
– 2 x Beolab 5s (Considered the flagship speakers when launched)
– 2 x Beolab 3s.
– 1 x Beolab 10 Centre Speaker.
– 1 x Beosound 9000 (iconic still)
– 1 x Beovison 4 – 50″ TV Monitor.
– 1 SIM 2 Projector )approaching flagship)
– 1 x 103″ Stewart Film-screen self tensioning drop down screen.
– Accessories including the BV5 hooked up to the Beosystem 3 .
– Master Link and Powerlink used through out.
– Brodersen timer etc used to trigger the Video output from the Beosysetm 3 to to the 103″ display drop down screen and SIM 2 Projector.

So… any thoughts on my 4K upgrade path. Questions to assist you to assist me …

1. Do I need the mighty Beosound Theatre ($ AUD 21,000) as I know this would “drive” and integrate with a …
2. Will the Almondo black box take the place of my current Beosystem 3 and the only thing I then upgrade next is the LG TV ??? (Solution 1 maybe)
3. New LG G4 77″ TV (replacing the BV4 Display).
4. If I did get the Beosound Theatre with its built in gizmos, will it operate and trigger …
   – The SIM 2 Theatre.
   – The drop down cinema screen.
   – Flick the sound to the Lab 5s, The Lab3s, and is it overkill to have the Beosound Theatre in the role of just the centre speaker..
5. Will the installation need custom PUC files ?
6. What about the brodersen timer and other manual over ride switches I have on the odd occasion when sometimes the cinema screen throws a wobbly and doesn’t drop down….
7. I already know that I shall contact Sounds Heavenly for any “custom cables” that might be needed…

I would love to get your thoughts.
With your collective inputs I will work on putting together a wiring diagram schematic that I can desktop-test the viable “signal flow paths”- audio, video and triggers etc. which I plan to upload to this forum in order that it may help others.

Thanks for reading this long post.

PS: Many of the veteran installers of B&O in Melbourne have either retired, or choosing to do the greenfield new installations (the big jobs in the wealthy households) or (as two put it to me (they are unable to get B&O support down under for “complicated installations” so have given up on B&O work for their living.

PPS: Make no mistake and for clarity – I am willing to pay for someone to attend locally just to take a look and advise me on the choice, upgrade path including any custom “boxes” and cabling etc. !!

• This topic was modified 1 week, 5 days ago by Jakes.

[pepps]

Hi Jakes, I’m watching this thread because soon I fear my BV-7 will fall ill and need replacing perhaps with something more modern.

 

Location: Kent, UK

[NoursBear]

Not sure which thread this should go on but am also in a situation where I need to make a change to my old system.  I wonder if someone would be able to advise.

I don’t know much about how that stuff works. I purchased all my stuff in year 2002. I have the following equipment:

2x Beolab 6000
2x Beolab 8000
Beosound 9000 CD tower
2x Beolab 3 (this is in a different room and is connected to some sort of amplifier (hidden in a cupboard)
1x Beolab 3500, connecting directly via a cable through the wall.
Beovision Avant

I also have Bose speakers (outside on terrace) connecting into the living room via a Converter Amplifier Type 1741.

I also have a Playmaker

The TV is the central piece managing everything (the thorn in my foot)

The Beolab 6000 + 8000 can do surround via the remote control, I think this is only possible with the TV piece.

I want to get rid of the TV as it is of no use to us since many years and do not wish to have a tv replacement, it is a big lump I really can do without. I wonder if this is possible and what I would need to purchase to connect everything together and also what will not work, maybe I will have to lose some functionality like the surround.
Is there some amplifier from BO which would do the trick of connecting everything ?  There is a BO shop in my area where the system is, maybe I can ask them too.

Thanks

[Jakes]

Hello Pepps and Noursbear,

Thank you for reading my post and responding.

Here is where I have got to.

Almando provide a solution to replace the Beosystem 3 and 4 if needed.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://almando.com/%3Flang%3Deng&ved=2ahUKEwjMpOu574OLAxVT4zgGHYTtDTIQFnoECBEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1zpmOQlQT6oHcKni_dV7qz

There is a retailer in Melbourne that has already utilised an Almando Decoder (Version 1 without Wireless and Version 2 with). This multi-play decoder box is recognised in Europe for integrating B&O Audio and Video with non-B&O TVs etc. Their website (hopefully you are able to access the link) also provides the essential custom cables and converter adaptors.

This would provide a significant part of the solution for most. In my use case I still need to be confident that there is local expertise for the final 20% which is for me, the Almando box providing the triggers to switch over to the Projector in its Lift that drops down and the Stewart Filmscreen screen. My search continues ….

[Jakes]

Hello Pepps and Noursbear,

Thank you for reading my post and responding.

Here is where I have got to.

Almando provide a solution to replace the Beosystem 3 and 4 if needed.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://almando.com/%3Flang%3Deng&ved=2ahUKEwjMpOu574OLAxVT4zgGHYTtDTIQFnoECBEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1zpmOQlQT6oHcKni_dV7qz

There is a retailer in Melbourne that has already utilised an Almando Decoder (Version 1 without Wireless and Version 2 with). This multi-play decoder box is recognised in Europe for integrating B&O Audio and Video with non-B&O TVs etc. Their website (hopefully you are able to access the link) also provides the essential custom cables and converter adaptors.

This would provide a significant part of the solution for most. In my use case I still need to be confident that there is local expertise for the final 20% which is for me, the Almando box providing the triggers to switch over to the Projector in its Lift that drops down and the Stewart Filmscreen screen. My search continues ….

[Jakes]

Another visualisation of Almando decoders being the centre of the B&O and Non-B&O ecosystems integration.

 

 

[Jakes]

Here is the English Version of the Operating and set up manual.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://almando.com/support/manuals/almando-Multiplay-Surround-Decoder-II_EN.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjR1MbN84OLAxXhxzgGHSu2OOcQFnoECA4QAQ&usg=AOvVaw2FXh1zMypS8kChuAW1j6ou

 

[kallasr]

You might want to check the neomesteren.dk website:

Neo TV Surround | The NeoMaster
https://neomesteren.dk/en/neo-7-surround-sound

An upcoming product that sounds very interesting.
We have the Neo 7 to make use of our BeoVision 7-40/7-32 stands with the motor function

Best regards from Germany
Ralf

Location: NRW, Germany

[pepps]

Jakes, great find with the Almando people. It certainly looks to cover off your main concerns. Mine too, I noticed there’s a setting to send data (for displays I assume) to Penta speakers which is cool.
Also to be able to connect my BS6500 too is fantastic!

Location: Kent, UK

[pepps]

Hi Kallasr, the Neo product sounds cool with stand integration. Not a lot of info out yet, but it’ll be interesting to see how they integrate with B&O music systems too.

Location: Kent, UK

[petermc]

Hi Jakes

We had a similar issue when looking at upgrading our BV10.

We took the Theatre route as at the time it integrated with the other speakers we have without the need of extra boxes etc. We have BL5’s and BL8000’s attached to the Theatre which works extremely well. We have the Theatre and Tv mounted on a BV 7 double pole stand as we prefer the look. The motor on the stand doesn’t function but we didn’t use the motorised stand that much before anyway. The tv is 55”.

I suppose you need to think about what you want to achieve. Full integration like you have now or a bit of making do with a few less functions? What do you watch on Tv? Is it free to air, DVD’s or streaming? Do you listen to music etc? CD’s, Spotify etc? Do you listen in other rooms too?

There’s endless possibilities but I suppose it’s a matter of getting it working seamlessly and playing well together.

Peter

 

 

 

Location: Australia

[Millemis]

The Almando products have been discussed here several times throughout the years.

There are mixed reviews….often people returns to a B&O solution (the BS Theatre) after a while.

I would advice to wait for posts with positive reviews for Almando, before purchasing – in the meantime you could search the forums including the old ones.

Personally I am looking forward to the solution from Neomesteren. – the products, that they have up ‘till now, are excellent.

Anyway – it will be very hard to get the integration with projector/screen and tv, that you aim for.
Tv’s are getting bigger and bigger, which leaves less need for B&O to provide this kind of solution.
That said….it might be possible with a great deal of DIY.
Some have used a BeoSystem 4.

Running a BS Theatre with a projector/screen solo, however is not a big problem, but you will probably need a professional installer for that.

As for ‘Brodersen timer etc’ – I have no idea…never heard of that.

Finally:
I agree with Peter in his post: “you need to think about what you want to achieve”.

Best luck finding the best solution.

MM

• This reply was modified 1 week, 4 days ago by Millemis.

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

[Peter]

NoursBear wrote:

Not sure which thread this should go on but am also in a situation where I need to make a change to my old system. I wonder if someone would be able to advise. I don’t know much about how that stuff works. I purchased all my stuff in year 2002. I have the following equipment: 2x Beolab 6000 2x Beolab 8000 Beosound 9000 CD tower 2x Beolab 3 (this is in a different room and is connected to some sort of amplifier (hidden in a cupboard) 1x Beolab 3500, connecting directly via a cable through the wall. Beovision Avant I also have Bose speakers (outside on terrace) connecting into the living room via a Converter Amplifier Type 1741. I also have a Playmaker The TV is the central piece managing everything (the thorn in my foot) The Beolab 6000 + 8000 can do surround via the remote control, I think this is only possible with the TV piece. I want to get rid of the TV as it is of no use to us since many years and do not wish to have a tv replacement, it is a big lump I really can do without. I wonder if this is possible and what I would need to purchase to connect everything together and also what will not work, maybe I will have to lose some functionality like the surround. Is there some amplifier from BO which would do the trick of connecting everything ? There is a BO shop in my area where the system is, maybe I can ask them too. Thanks

The Beosound 9000 should manage this bar the surround. I would guess you have a MCL system in the house using the Avant as the master – that is if this is the CRT Avant. If it is, all you need is an ML to MCL converter and I suspect you already have this (amp in cupboard!) Will need to look at the way it is wired but did something similar myself with little in the way of problems.

[NoursBear]

Thanks for the heads up.  I am not at the location of the TV right now, I believe it would be this model

https://bangolufsenassistentgohe.blob.core.windows.net/manuals/TELEVISIONS/BEOVISION_AVANT_(1995-2005)/BeoVision_Avant_Real_Flat_Version_English_UK.pdf

It has scart but not sure about CRT.  I’ll probably go to the shop and explain my situation.

I was thinking that no one would be interested in this TV, even if I would give it away, especially the impossible task to transport it,  should I have people clear it away or should I put an advert locally in case someone might be interested  ?  What do people think ?  When I sell the house it would be nice if that was already sorted lol.

[Peter]

Yes that is the Cathode Ray Tube Real Flat Avant . Superb set – I gave mine away – mine was the DVD version. Still has a great picture but ‘only’ 32″ and is a large bit of furniture and heavy. The chap I gave mine to wanted it for video gaming as he needed a SCART socket for the console he was using. We have a system called freecycle and one puts an advert up on there and invariably someone comes and gets it! In this case definitely put ‘needs collection’!

[Author]

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