Hello :-)

Passive speakers require an amplifier.

The Apple Airport Express is not an amplifier, it provides the equivalent of a LINE-OUT and needs to be plugged into B&O active speakers or someone else's powered speakers (e.g. external powered PC speakers).

Since you have a B&O amplifier, you could attach the Airport Express via a mini-jack cable to either RCA plugs or a DIN plug for linking to the AUX-IN port of your B&O.  This is what I did with my Beosound 4.  I was then able to use my existing MasterLink cables and speakers for both "Apple" music and "B&O" music.

Hi hans

The easy way would simply be to connect the airport express to the amp depending which one you have if it's and older amp then it will be a 5pin din to 3.5m jack. If the din socket is a.aux then all you need to do via the b & o remote is select a aux when you are in the link room then sound will come through the speakers.

Hi again, thanks for your interest in my question. As I suspected see I was not able to describe my existing products, and what I would like to do. Sorry.

 

The amplifier I was talking about was named MCL2P: http://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=979

I have my passive speakers (http://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=774) connected to the MCL2P with masterlink-cable and what I would like to do since the built-in speakers are not so easy to reach would be to activate the amplifier so I can attach a Airport Express to each set of speakers. 

How can I activate the MCL 2P (it doesnt matter if it has to be powered on 24/7) so I can use my speakers?

Can I attach a Airport Express to the Masterlink cable (I have a Masterlink cable to each set of speakers) so I can get the sound to my speakers?

 

A simple solution would be to buy a small, separate amp ( 

Hans, 

If you check the schematics of the MCL2P, you'll see that there is a simple trigger on the powerlink socket to turn it on. On the schematics I have, it says pin 4, but my circuit board actually uses pin 1. I forgot the trigger voltage (4V maybe?) but you could probably just wire up a resistor from the exisiting circuit to provide a constant trigger voltage and the amp would just remain on. By the way, are you sure you have a master link input? Both my MCL2Ps only have powerlink inputs.

Eric

Hi Eric, many thanks! And I think that is true, that the MCL2P just uses powerlink. Mine is located at the attic so it is a while since I actually saw it. But I am 99% sure, because I also have an ML/MCL converter, and that is to take care of the masterlink connections.

I am not sure what you mean with your circuit board? Maybe it is my english...?

Do you have any suggestions how I may be able to get the sound from the AE, through the masterlink cable, and to the IWS 2000 speakers?

Thanks again, and best regards

Hans

Hans, I was referring to the internal electronics of the MCL2P. If you're comfortable with soldering electonics, look at the schematics of the amplifier. 

If not, you're probably better off purchasing a solution from Sounds Heavenly, they are a sponsor here. This should work, but talk to Steve first and he can confirm: