2V RMS is the standard output level of hifi-components. But a lot of manufacturers are cheating, and deliver higher VRMS. Their hope is to get consumers to pick their component when compared to another, as louder playback is often taken as "better detail, more power, etc."

If you can't manually control the output from the new preamp, then you should put an attenuator between the output and the feed to the BeoLab 5s, in order to protect them from too high an input. If you don't get an attenuator, then you should always ensure that the output volume from the preamp is never set to maximum.

The BeoLab 5 is forgiving, but that particular specification should be respected, in order to protect your loudspeakers.

It's quite a cheat that the so-called audiophile hifi-manufacturers are engaged in. I've seen DACs with 17V RMS output!

Bravo Soundproof! You're unfortunately one of an all too small number of people who know this dirty little secret about level matching and such. 🤒

soundproof wrote:

2V RMS is the standard output level of hifi-components. But a lot of manufacturers are cheating, and deliver higher VRMS. Their hope is to get consumers to pick their component when compared to another, as louder playback is often taken as "better detail, more power, etc."

If you can't manually control the output from the new preamp, then you should put an attenuator between the output and the feed to the BeoLab 5s, in order to protect them from too high an input. If you don't get an attenuator, then you should always ensure that the output volume from the preamp is never set to maximum.

The BeoLab 5 is forgiving, but that particular specification should be respected, in order to protect your loudspeakers.

It's quite a cheat that the so-called audiophile hifi-manufacturers are engaged in. I've seen DACs with 17V RMS output!

Either set the volume at max, and then use an attenuator that halves the output level from your RCA out connectors on the preamp.

Or don't have the volume knob over 50%.

Here's what an attenuator does:

Maab wrote:

My preamp is sick and I'm considering to purchase a preamp about which the manual states 5.5 VRMS via unbalanced analog output.

I remember reading that B&O says that it shouldn't exceed 2 VRMS. What does that mean- is there a risk of damaging something?

Hi,

The BeoLab 5 can be put into a mode where it will accept up to 4.0 V RMS maximum at its line input. So, your first step would be to change to this mode.

Then, you can consider that the difference between 5.5 V RMS and 4.0 V RMS is only 2.8 dB. So, either you have to:

- drop the level of your preamp by 3 dB to be sure that you don't exceed the 4.0 V RMS max allowable input for the BL5. you can do this by never setting the preamp's volume on Maximum - never go higher than -3 dB relative to max.

- drop the level between the preamp's output and the BL5's input using, for example, a voltage divider. If you're handy with a soldering iron, then this is an easy project using only two resistors in series, potentially inside the RCA connector itself. If you're not, I'm sure that Steve at Sounds Heavenly can make one for you.

However, I would have no worries about putting a 5.5 V RMS signal into the RCA input of the BL5. It'll clip and sound bad, but you won't break anything. I've put MUCH more than that into the RCA input (our semi-pro mixer in the listening room can push out something like 12 V RMS or so...)

Cheers

-geoff

Hi again,

I should have added that the instructions to make the 2.0 to 4.0 V change can be found in the BL5 manual, downloadable from

Remember too that in order to do justice to a speaker of this caliber when you make your voltage divider you must use silver wire, silver core solder, and only the finest metal film resistors known to man, rated at 1000v...and then debate endlessly whether it sounds better with the divider closer to the speaker or closer to the preamp, while the internet experts will insist it be midway between and the cable elevated on stands...😮😉😎

Hearing from Geoff on the topic should calm all nerves!

Thanks.