Beosound 3200 and AirPlay

18 replies

Hi 

I have a Beosound 3200 that I would like to stream music to from my iTunes library on my PC / IPads etc using AirPlay - is this possible? If so what equipment would I need and would I still be able to play it via the different B&O speakers I have around the house.

thanks for any help you can give.

Thank you -  I will get a airport express , do I need to get a specific cable for this to work ?

The cable you need is a 3.5mm jack plug which connects to the Airport Express. The other end needs to be a 5 pin din. (Your BeoSound 3200 auxilliary socket has 7 pins but the extra two are not required). You just need to determine how far away the mains socket is to work out length of cable.

The only setting up required is to register the AE to your network. When you start streaming simply select the AUX function on your BeoSound 3200. This can be done manually on the unit itself or via the Beo4 remote if you have one.

You may need to add the A.AUX command to your Beo4 if it isn't already there. If you need instruction on how to do this just ask, its a simple process.

Regards

Opman

Opman wrote:

The cable you need is a 3.5mm jack plug which connects to the Airport Express. The other end needs to be a 5 pin din. (Your BeoSound 3200 auxilliary socket has 7 pins but the extra two are not required). You just need to determine how far away the mains socket is to work out length of cable.

Steve from Sounds Heavenly one of this sites sponsors can supply these cables 🙂

Be aware that while the Airport Express will work, it's audio quality from its analog outputs is not the best. The Playmaker sounds much better, or you can run the AE digital outs to an outboard DAC and run the analog outputs of that into the Beo. There are a number of inexpensive but good sounding DACs out there that will work.

I agree; it is certainly worth using an external DAC with AirportExpress: Musicla Fidelity V-Dac or Cambridge Audio DacMagic are both highly regarded and reeckoned to be exceptionally good value for money.  I have both and the sound quality is superb from each. The V-Dac stays on all the time but the DacMagic switches to standby when no digital signal us present.

I've no experience of using a separate DAC but I do have three Airport Express devices streaming to different B&O systems with BL8000 and old RL speakers. Audio quality seems fine to me. The Airports are also simple to set up and integrate and are robust in operation. I'd recommend you try one before investing in more complex solutions - may be fine for you.

Hardwriter wrote:
I've no experience of using a separate DAC but I do have three Airport Express devices streaming to different B&O systems with BL8000 and old RL speakers. Audio quality seems fine to me. The Airports are also simple to set up and integrate and are robust in operation. I'd recommend you try one before investing in more complex solutions - may be fine for you.

Agree!

I have two AE. One connected to my old BeoVision LX5500 via RF modulator and one connected to the stereo in the jacuzzi. I don't use DAC and no needs of getting one. The sound quality is OK for me.

AE to BeoMaster 5000 driving 2 x CX100s ... gets lots of use and no complaints

As per my original post about AE. I have one connected to the Aux socket of my BeoSound3000 which plays through BeoLab4000 (mark 1) and is also linked to BeoVision7 32.

We don't use the AE a lot but its nice to have when we want to use it. I have no complaints about the sound quality. My advice would be to try it on its own first and then assess if you feel the need to improve the sound quality.

Regards

Opman

or
BeoWorld Gold Membership card
Join BeoWorld

Register to access the forums, reference material, and exclusive member benefits — including our monthly prize draw.

Become a Member

December 2026 Prize Draw

Gold Members Only

As a Gold member you're automatically entered into our exclusive prize draw — your chance to win iconic Bang & Olufsen products. A unique benefit of BeoWorld Gold membership, every draw brings a new opportunity to win something special.