BS5/BM5 combo vs. BS5 Encore

19 replies
JS
Offline
js
Bronze
Posted April 20, 2015 at 13:42 GMT
#2039934

I am considering either a BS5/BM5 combo or a BS5 Encore (it is incredibly cumbersome to browse very large libraries, but I love the design and I am not always rational...).

I will use it as a simple stand-alone player in a remote location and the most convenient would be to use a USB drive containing a copy of my library, so the BS5E would probably better suit my needs. But I am still hesitating:

1.  Is the DAC/overall sound quality of the BS5E as good as that of the BS5/BM5 combo?

2. Which one has the most robust hardware? I want one that will work flawlessly during several years, but I read on this board that the BM5 motherboard is prone to failure and is not easy/cheap to replace. So I am wondering if the BS5E will be more reliable?

Many thanks  🙂

Millemis
Offline
Millemis
Bronze
Posted April 20, 2015 at 14:15 GMT
#2039935

 

I am sure you will get different opinions on this!

 

Here are my thoughts:

1: never heard anyone compare these - or claim that one is better than the other.

I doubt, that you will notice any difference.

Which speakers to you want to connect?

With the BS/BM5 you would have the possibility to connect an external DAC (if that is what you want) - or go directly to the BL5's.

 

2: Robust? Well - the BS/BM5 hardware is getting old(er) and maybe a bit fragile. Will be hard to get spare parts for the BM5 in the future....

The Encore is pretty simple. Nothing really to break - apart from the 'mechanical parts'. But this will be the same with the BS5.

- 

If you connect a USB drive directly to the Encore, do remember, that you will have to remove it, when you want to add something or change something (tags in the files...). Best use it with an external DLNA server (best on a NAS).

The Encore is well suited, if you just want to use it as a standalone device ------ if you have no need for it to be linked up to other B&O devices.

If you consider using Spotify, you will have to go for the BS/BM5 - don't forget that either.

 

Overall - why do you want to buy a device, where it is 'icredibly cumbesome to browse very large libraries'?

Does the design really mean that much to you?

 

A lot of decisions for you to make.....

Please keep us informed how things turn out.

 

MM

 

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

ST
Offline
steve1977
Bronze
Posted April 20, 2015 at 18:01 GMT
#2039936

The BS5E has the great advantage of not requiring yet another big black box. It is very unfortunate though that it does not come with masterlink, which prevents me from connecting it with my BV5 (and have the BV play through its attached speakers without turning it on). if you don't need this, I think the BS5E is brilliant as it is much cheaper and accessing music from a NAS is most convenient anyways.

F(
Offline
Fulgore (archived2)
Bronze
Posted April 20, 2015 at 18:33 GMT
#2039937
Hi,

Interessting question, just discussed that with my wife - as we own a BS5/BM5.

Our dealer told us that b&o provides spare parts approx. 10 years so if that's true the next ten years are "safe".

My hope is that b&o provide us with a new beomaster that supports the BS5.

Fulgore

(Btw. My brother bought the Encore.....)
S(
Offline
Sal (archived2)
Bronze
Posted April 20, 2015 at 18:40 GMT
#2039938

steve1977 wrote:

The BS5E has the great advantage of not requiring yet another big black box. It is very unfortunate though that it does not come with masterlink, which prevents me from connecting it with my BV5 (and have the BV play through its attached speakers without turning it on). if you don't need this, I think the BS5E is brilliant as it is much cheaper and accessing music from a NAS is most convenient anyways.

There is this:

Millemis
Offline
Millemis
Bronze
Posted April 20, 2015 at 21:28 GMT
#2039939

True, but js wrote in his initial post, that he 'will use it as a stand-alone player'!

I guess the decision will be either the simple Encore player (with an additional NAS/USB-drive) or the more sophisticated BM/BS5.

None of these will be futureproof.

10 years for spare parts - I doubt that!

MM

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

S(
Offline
StUrrock (archived2)
Bronze
Posted April 20, 2015 at 22:53 GMT
#2039940
js wrote:

I am considering either a BS5/BM5 combo or a BS5 Encore (it is incredibly cumbersome to browse very large libraries, but I love the design and I am not always rational...).

I will use it as a simple stand-alone player in a remote location and the most convenient would be to use a USB drive containing a copy of my library, so the BS5E would probably better suit my needs. But I am still hesitating:

1. Is the DAC/overall sound quality of the BS5E as good as that of the BS5/BM5 combo?

2. Which one has the most robust hardware? I want one that will work flawlessly during several years, but I read on this board that the BM5 motherboard is prone to failure and is not easy/cheap to replace. So I am wondering if the BS5E will be more reliable?

Many thanks

Enjoy whatever you buy, but pay no more than £1 for an Encore.

P(
Offline
Puncher (archived2)
Bronze
Posted April 21, 2015 at 08:26 GMT
#2039941

StUrrock wrote:
Enjoy whatever you buy, but pay no more than £1 for an Encore.

Can you elaborate?

Millemis
Offline
Millemis
Bronze
Posted April 21, 2015 at 09:10 GMT
#2039942

StUrrock wrote:

Enjoy whatever you buy, but pay no more than £1 for an Encore.

If you can get me 5 of these for £1 each - I'd be interested 🙂

MM

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

S(
Offline
StUrrock (archived2)
Bronze
Posted April 21, 2015 at 11:07 GMT
#2039943
Puncher wrote:

Can you elaborate?

Ban boring signatures!

Just a tongue in cheek comment, as it had the shortest production runs ever!

One of my pals, a dealer, still has some of the original demo stock as new boxed🙂
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