No point using a dac, sice the Beolab 5's will use their internal DAC either way.

Feeding them the digital SPDIF signal will take away one additional step in the signal processing.

You can control them directly with a remote, and sync the sound level, but make sure they are not early versions if you buy used.

Mine are early versions, they have the volume sync out I/O but don't support it... A no brainer, yes. 

As above, I really wouldn't waste you're time with a standalone DAC.  In simple terms, the BL5 signal path either goes:

Analogue Line in -> ADC -> DSP -> DAC -> Output

or

Digital in -> DSP -> DAC -> Output

So putting a DAC in to convert to analogue immediately before it gets converted straight back to digital is a bit of a waste.

@Bayerische - corrected with a sw update if I recall.

9's are more than suitable for 90% of environments IMHO, but if you have available funds and want that extra 20% then wny not?

I have also been considering upgrading from 9s to 5s. My sense is that if the room is not overly larger, and/or extreme volumes are not desired there is not much noticeable improvement?

As mentiond in the 90% comment above?

As many will know I have exposure to these products on a daily basis, my view is that unless you have a really sizeable room and enjoy reasonably high volumes then the Beolab 9's are more than adequate  - the 5's are lazier and more powerful granted, but the benefits are often lost on the non-audiophile.  I have lost count of how many sets of 5's I have picked up where the owner has ordered post 5's purchase, or been convinced to order at the time of buying the 5's, a Beolab 2.

My perspective is somewhat different from others - I just think that bank for buck Beolab 9's are better value.  In my view, which if course is not definitive, money is better spent elsewhere.  For the first time ever I am holding four pairs of Beolab 9 in stock - however they are more rare than Beolab 5's in the pre-owned market, and that might say something, it might say nothing, depending on the ratio of Beolab 9's that are sold to Beolab 5's.

Put it this way, if driving a Porsche Carrera 4 floats your boat and makes you grin from ear-to-ear, why push yourself to own a Carrera 4s or Carrera Turbo just for the sake of it, unless that is your thing?

My room is 8 meters long by 3.8 although the main listening area is about 5 meters or so back..my impression of the beolab 5's were better transparency and imaging...the only real criticism of the beolab 9's are a slight shut in and nasal vocal which is being picky...the beolab 5's are very effortless...and with the built in dacs etc this is potentially the deal winner as simply a digital source only required is a big plus IMHO..

Well the digital input wins it then, I have got a pair of 5's in stock anyway.

Quote:.... real only real criticism of the beolab 9's are a slight shut in and nasal vocal which is being picky....

Hi Swiss Tony,

Not sure what you exactly mean. Would very much appreciate if you could explain this in more detail.

Thanks,

Teletom