Could not agree more about the conclusion that the old B&O DNA is gone! My last purchase was a Beovision 10-40 in 2011 together with one of the last BeoSound 9000’s produced. I bought one of these great CD changers in 2000 and when I heard it was being discontinued, I sold the old one and got a new BeoSound 9000.
These units combined with masterlink to 4 audio link rooms and 1 video link room is just perfect for me. After some practice and with great help from members on this forum, I have been able to do all link jobs myself. Just yesterday I got a mint condition Beolab 2000, that I bought on Ebay for only 45GBP. A masterlink cable from Steve, a bit of splitting and soldering and all works just great!
To complete the whole setup, I connected a Beogram 7000 and Beocord 7000 to the AUX of the BeoSound 9000, again with a cable from Steve. I am still using multiple LC2’s, a Beotime and a BeoSound 2, so it’s a true and original Beolink system throughout the apartment.
Nowadays I just don’t feel the deep connection that I used to have with the brand. I bought some Beoplay items, such as a headset and a Bluetooth speaker, but that’s all. I read here about so many problems and software issues with newer tv’s and audio systems, such as Beomaster 5 and BeoSound Moment, that I just don’t feel that I can trust the B&O quality like before. What I have now works fine for me and I just hope that I can keep it running for many years to come.
Prices of older equipment have come down a lot, so still a lot of possibilities to expand my old style masterlink system. Regretfully this price drop also resulted in LifeStyle AV having to close. They sold me a great little BV6-22, motorised stand and Beolab 2000 last year and delivered great service, for which I am still very thankful.
B&O no longer offers an entire “closed” home integration solution, produced solely by B&O. Too many other companies and developers involved, resulting in compatibility issues and software mess. The current B&O range is just all over the place. Extremely high end (& high price) speakers. Medium priced speakers that miss the “wow” design. Some badly designed televisions and a range of Beoplay items. All together a messy line-up.
I’m sad that B&O and I, have estranged from each other, but that’s the reality. Throughout the company’s history they have always come back from difficult times, so I hope that the old DNA will return one day.