This was stuck in moderation for a few days so I'm replying to myself to bump it back to the front page. 

While it was in moderation, I did a bit more research and I'm now leaning toward just getting a Core, and not messing with anything else... unless there's a popular, well regarded, low cost alternative.  It seems like most of the "quality" streamers are ~$500-ish (and up), and they will not have Network Link.  I'm having so many problems with Chromecast lately (devices disappearing and re-appearing for no apparent reason) that I can't see having to rely on it. 

Did I just say that?  B&O's software is actually behaving better than Google's?  Yes, I did.  Strange world.

Stan

I have similar issues and was thinking the same.

I cannot help but will follow your experience here ;-)

Hi Stan,

I’d say, it all depends on what it is, that you want to acchieve, what your needs for ‘streaming’ are.

 

One part of the Core is the built-in support for GC/ChromeCast.

This means that the BS Core can be used similar to the ChromeCast Audio dongle, that you already have.

Since your experience with casting is as described, that probably is not the first thing to try out.

The Core also supports Apple’s AirPlay technology, which only works with iOS devices as the streaming device.

Apart from this the Core brings you easy access to netradio station.....which is essential to many users.

(And then, there of course is the NL functionality, when you have further B&O/NL devices).

 

I have a similar situation at home with the BS Essence MK2 feeding an older Beomaster and cooperating with other NL devices.

I also have/have had a couple of the ChromeCast Audio devices, which have been working fine here.

I certainly would not call those poor, even if they are/were pretty cheap.

 

So, first thing is to find out, what you need for your daily use....there also are AirPlay receivers on the market - or maybe you could get hold of one of the now discontinued AirPort Express devices on the second hand market, if AirPlay/iOS is what you’d prefer.

 

In general I can recomment the BS Core or - if you need to spend a little less money - a second hand Essence MK2.

 

Don’t give up - these devices are quite stable......provided that you have a well working wireless network, which is the Alpha and Omega of streaming (or use them hardwired),

 

MM

Stan wrote:

This was stuck in moderation for a few days so I'm replying to myself to bump it back to the front page. 

While it was in moderation, I did a bit more research and I'm now leaning toward just getting a Core, and not messing with anything else... unless there's a popular, well regarded, low cost alternative.  It seems like most of the "quality" streamers are ~$500-ish (and up), and they will not have Network Link.  I'm having so many problems with Chromecast lately (devices disappearing and re-appearing for no apparent reason) that I can't see having to rely on it. 

Did I just say that?  B&O's software is actually behaving better than Google's?  Yes, I did.  Strange world.

Stan

Hi Stan, I also have a chrome cast audio but connected on line in to one of my NL/Ml converters.I then have this distributed to Masterlink and NL.

I also have an essence mk2 , which is like the core, however annoying the integrated chromecast cannot be distributed/joined so this was the main reason for adding the CCA to the line in. Nowadays though we tend to only use it for playing music via voice command to our google home display and instead use airplay or deezer using the BeoLiving app, both allow for beo remote playback control too.

I used to have that issue when the WiFi signal wasn’t great, I think it was switching back and forth from 5gz to 2.4 bands. I’ve since upgraded my WiFi to TP Link ceiling access points and it hasn’t happened since. You can however get low cost micro usb Ethernet adapters for them if it’s near a network cable? There’s one on amazon called BEVA that works with it as is around £15. I have one in use on my Beoplay M3.

 

Rob. 

Hi,

Many routers broadcast three SSID's (network names) such as:

 

NetworkName

NetworkName_2.4Ghz

NetworkName_5Ghz

 

Configure CCA with 2.4 GHz. Connect all your mobile devices to 2.4 GHz. Make sure to 'forget' any other network on those mobile devices e.g NetworkName or NetworkName_5Ghz.

 

I have seen many cases as yours.

I have always solved it this way. Always.

 

Regards.

Ravsted

 

Thanks Ravsted.  Unfortunately, my router only broadcasts SSID, not SSID_2.4GHz and SSID_5Ghz.  I might also have a hard time convincing all of the locals to switch their phones to not use 5GHz... as the 2.4GHz spectrum is pretty crowded.  I do see my CCA is connected to the 2.4GHz network while my other CC devices are using the 5GHz.  At the moment, everything is working just fine.  A few hours ago, the CCA was not to be found.  Then again, I am broadcasting to a group while writing this, and it stopped midstream and needed to be restarted.  I don't have the problems with NL.

MM,

Spotify and TuneIn (netradio would work, and could be better since one of my favorite stations has left TuneIn, but still works on my BS5's netradio) are my primary use cases... although I'd be willing to use Deezer if the user experience was better.  I mostly use Android so no Airplay, but my wife and kids do use AP from time to time.  I do see value in NL as I would like to sometimes broadcast my Eclipse audio (from the TV program, not the SoundCenter).  This is really a nice to have vs requirement, but if I'm going to upgrade and spend more than ~$500, then I might as well spend some more to get this.

For those bored and sitting at home, let me tell you my full story of how I got here:

My real issue is my speaker in my kitchen.  I have a BL3500 connected to my BS9000 (in another room) which my CCA is connected to.  The kitchen is where we often hang out, and my wife and I like to listen to music when we cook.  My wife has given up on the CCA and gives me the business about how I have "all this fancy B&O, but it doesn't work".  I explain it's really the $30 CCA, but she doesn't care.  She just remembers the fairly frequent experience of trying to cast to the CCA, and it's not there.  We have a little Alexa device that was free with our doorbell which she is now using for music in the kitchen.

My original solution was to replace the BL3500 with a BS35.  This would be an upgrade in the sound, and should be easier to use.  However, in searching for a BS35, a dealer strongly recommended a Stage instead (newer software, much better sound, similar price) even though he had a ex-demo BS35.  However, my wife prefers the smoked oak, and this will require a new remote and some electrical / wall work to move the outlet for the Stage.  I know this will sound much better than the BL3500 (and BS35), but the oak + remote + install work makes this quite a bit more expensive, and the Stage might be overkill for my relatively small kitchen (small by US standards (14 X 16 feet), probably quite large in the rest of the world).

Enter the Level.  Almost bought one yesterday.  Wife can talk to it just like the little Alexa, and I will no longer die inside hearing music from Alexa.  However, I'd like to be able to link it with the BL3500 for parties (some day when we have parties again), and I have no faith in using the CCA with speaker grouping.  It would also be nice to get the TV sound back in the kitchen (something we gave up when we swapped out a BV for the Eclipse).

This brings me to the Core.  If I swap out the CCA and replace it with the Core, then I get (hopefully) more reliable streaming and TV sound (delayed) to my kitchen.  If and when the Level gets NL, then I can add that to the mix, and use the Level for most cooking (which also probably sound better than the BL3500), but still have the BL3500 when I need more coverage...  Or, I can just get the Level because it's new and cool, and seems a lot more fun than a Core :D.

 

What do you stream to your chromecast? If it is Spotify, I do have a Gramofon that I don’t use. I could trade you for your chromecast 🙂

I’ve been thinking about this for years and tried all kind of options (4 CCAs and 4 AE). I’d just go with the core. Once your home is all NL, life is beautiful!

If you only have one SSID the router broadcast both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz with the same SSID. Your devices will dynamically switch between the frequencies all the time. That is causing your problem.

The problem seems bigger if using Apple mobile devices.

Login to the router and see if you can disable the 5Gz radio.

I bet all you issues will be solved.

2.4Ghz is more stable, has longer range, and is less sensitive to obstructions in the building. Give it a try.