n00b Here: AV Receiver Options (Alternatives?) for Beolab18s?

2 replies
B(
bakescakes (archived2)
Bronze
3 posts
Posted April 14, 2020 at 19:40 GMT
#2136891

Hello,

I'm new to this forum (and to home theater setups in general) and am looking for guidance on how best to manage my various AV inputs with my Bang & Olufsen speakers (2 Beolab 18s and 1 Beolab 19), which are currently being controlled by a Beolab Transmitter 1.

Short Version: My goal is to be able to switch between 2 audio inputs: 1 for music (Spotify streamed to Sonos Connect), 1 for TV (typically cable and AppleTV).

Long Version (so many questions!)

Traditionally, I would've thought that I'd need an AV receiver, but since the Beolabs are self-powered, it seems like buying a receiver would mean paying for an amp that I don't need.

(1) Is there such thing as an AV Receiver without amplification? A processor? A pre-amp? What's the difference between these things? What do most folks use with their Beolabs these days?

(2) It seems abnormal in the world of high-end speakers to not have an external amp. What's this group's thinking on the pros/cons of B&O's choice to use built-in amps?

(3) I've looked into getting a network audio streamer, something like Cambridge Audio's CXN (

I(
icuzz (archived2)
Bronze
1 post
Posted April 22, 2020 at 04:31 GMT
#2136892

Short answer: Buy a stereo receiver e.g. Marantz NR1200. link

1) Yes there are. Usually too pricey for my taste, I just buy amps with preouts. Of course there are cheaper preamps, but usually those don't have many audio inputs or hdmi input/outputs.  A processor does tuning to the sound from any device using digital filters and makes it better (to each his own) and also Dolby digital, DTS, Atmos are all from processor :) A pre-amp is low noise amplifier that amplifies weak level signal to more higher level that it can be processed further or power amplied for loud speakers without increasing the noise. I use Marantz SR6014 with my 4x beolab 8000 + 1x beolab 7.2 and B&W PV1 subwoofer. 

2) Why not devices like beosound 3200 would have not been possible without active design.

3) no comment Marantz NR1200 has built in streamer and there are many other.

4) same as 3)

5) Just plug the transmitter to stereo receivers preouts.

6) Plug sonos connect to stereo receiver via sonos connect audio outs.

Probably decent solution.

edit. You can most likely use your tv remote to control the Marantz NR1200 or some other amp.

- Arttu

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