link

OK, thanks. I was hoping that I could use a better DAC that’s in my pc.. That’s why I bought a Audioquest Dragonfly so I could use that instead my pc as an Roon endpoint. (when listening with headphones f.e) Really hope that BO could be a Roon Ready product soon.. I then have to reconsider what I should do with the A5, sadly as it really is a good speaker with nice punch.

Just to be clear, even without using the Dragonfly, you still wouldn't be using the DAC of the computer or the DAC of the iPhone.   Putting the Dragonfly in the middle (computer/iPhone -> Dragonfly DAC -> Beosound A5) would be completely useless and actually a bad practice, as you'd run the sound through two DACs. The Dragonfly and the internal DAC of the A5. It's good practice to do the digital-to-analogue conversion (i.e. what's done by the DAC) as few times as possible (ideally, just one), so the perfect and most high quality" way to listen to music on the A5 would be to use only its internal DAC.   How do you ensure you're only using the speaker's own DAC? By ensuring that everything you feed into the speaker is pure digital and has never been converted to analogue. And how do you do that? Just by connecting the speaker to the source in the most direct way possible, that is by using digital audio over USB-C.   An external DAC such as the Dragonfly makes sense only if what comes after it is a purely analogue audio device (i.e. passive wired headphones, or an analogue amplifier connected to some speakers - or to headphones).   Placing a digital audio device at the output end of another DAC? Very very very bad choice :)   So, just use a Lighting to USB-C cable (I think a normal Lightning to USB-C wouldn't work as Apple made them only capable of signaling the iPhone to a host device, while in this case the iPhone itself would be the host device, so you either need a Lighting to USB-A camera connection kit and then a USB-A to USB-C cable connected from the camera connection kit to the USB-C input of the speaker, OR a Lightning to USB-C cable specifically made for this purpose - as I think as I mentioned earlier a standard one wouldn't work).   If you want to use a computer instead, just use a standard USB-A/USB-C to USB-C cable and that's it. No need to worry about the Dragonfly, for the best sound out of a Beosound speaker you won't use it. Hope it's clearer now ?   Edit: for iPhone, a Lightning to USB-C OTG cable should work (bear in mind they're not "Made for iPhone" certified as Apple really wants to sell you the camera connection kit), such as FiiO LT-LT1 or LT-LT3 (different length).

The problem is….that you on the A5 only have 1 USB-C port.

As long as the battery is full, you - theoretically - can use this for feeding audio (has to be tested, though).
But having to swap cables to charge * in the midst of an album, would be a no go for me.
(I am not aware of a solution/dongle that could charge the battery and pass audio through at the same time).

The A5 was made for wireless feeding of audio.
Imo there is nothing wrong with that……unless you absolutely want to connect a turntable (or an older Beosystem ?)

 

*Would be interesting to know, if connecting to a computer also includes charging?

MM

Hi MM,

The A5 does not allow feeding analogue audio into the USB-C port.  However, it can connect to a computer using a USB-C cable and thhis will play the computer audio to the speaker, as well as charging the speaker.

Kind regards, Steve.

link

OK, thanks. I was hoping that I could use a better DAC that’s in my pc.. That’s why I bought a Audioquest Dragonfly so I could use that instead my pc as an Roon endpoint. (when listening with headphones f.e) Really hope that BO could be a Roon Ready product soon.. I then have to reconsider what I should do with the A5, sadly as it really is a good speaker with nice punch.

Normann, With all due respect to you and your equipment selection is that there is a need to buy into a system". I think it is unreasonable that some OEM produces a quality entry-level product with all the standards, connections, superior DAC and Beolab90 quality loudspeakers. The A5 is targeted a relatively simple (but sophisticated) User who requires to connect a simple music source (say a mobile phone with any given App, or attach to a system with DNLA compliant broadcast) to a useful semi-portable soundbox. Roon does not support DNLA. Nor does BlueSound. As for AQ Dragonfly - Im sure they are good but their intent is really for filtering noisy PC output or mobile phone outputs to headphones. I think as per MMs post, if you want to play the game of comparing external DACs to the one inside the A5, go ahead but I dont really think you will achieve anything. Ditto bitrates. As for USB-C connections, I believe B&O designed the connect for powering the A5 rather than adding on countless peripherals. If that is something you require....why not buy a USB-C hub from Amazon to compliment the A5? Im not sure if you can still get this - I only remember it vaguely but iFi did once do a Roon to DNLA bridge. (iFi Bridge). Failing that, the iFi Stream may also help.

I ordered the dark oak today!!  Cannot wait!! I also own the Level so it will be interesting to compare them.

Has anyone been able to compare the sound of the A5 with the sound of the Level?
That would be an interesting comparison…

Thanks ??

What would really be interesting for me, in the future when the Theatre will work with Mozart speakers, is to use 2 A5's as additional temporary surround speakers. The battery would allow for placement where a power outlet is not available.