Sounds like you need a BeoSystem 3 and BeoSound 5 😕

Maab wrote:

Denon a1hdci

According to google hits, this unit is a 10 channel power amplifier ?

If so I believe you should not attach it to the BeoLab 5s as they have their own built in power amplifiers.

Maab wrote:

I looked for a preamp-processor but I can't see any listed by B&O.

The Beomasters and Beosounds and Beoports all output line level signals for BeoLab speakers (with their inbuilt power amplifiers) to amplify.

With suitable cables it may be (I am not an electrician nor a electrical/electronics engineer) to feed a BeoMaster/BeoSound/BeoPort to your Denon for driving your existing unpowered speakers.

Maab wrote:

I'd like to stream music using a NAS instead of CDs

The answer for this is either (as posted above) one of the two types of BeoSound 5, or perhaps even a BeoPort (this is relatively inexpensive!) connected to your iMac and your BeoLab 5s.

Maab wrote:

Is there a list of universal remotes that handles B&O devices?

The Beo 6 is B&Os reverse option, a B&O remote that drives the rest of your non-B&O devices ... but I do believe there are some universal remotes that support the infrared range that B&O uses as its standard (i.e. the issue is not just the commands, it is the actual signal frequency)

Maab wrote:

I will further investigate my options, I'm afraid....

If you want a "purist/audiophile" solution just for music, you might consider this:

Source & Data storage:
  BeoSound 5 & BeoMaster 5 (1TB internal HD)  

Audio connections:
- digitally via SPDIF from BeoMaster 5 <> BeoLab 5#1 <> BeoLab#2 
  (Role on BM5 must be set to from "NETMUSIC" to "CD")

- analog via fully mounted PowerLink cables
  necessary to send source data "telling" the BeoLab 5s if "CD" is selected
  to switch to the SPDIF instead of using the analog PowerLink input.
  And of course to transmit the sound when "NETRADIO" or "A.AUX" has been
  selected. 

Speakers:
  your pair of BeoLab 5s

Remote:
  Beo 4 or Beo6

Vienna wrote:

Audio connections:

- digitally via SPDIF from BeoMaster 5 <> BeoLab 5#1 <> BeoLab#2 
  (Role on BM5 must be set to from "NETMUSIC" to "CD")

- analog via fully mounted PowerLink cables
  necessary to send source data "telling" the BeoLab 5s if "CD" is selected
  to switch to the SPDIF instead of using the analog PowerLink input.
  And of course to transmit the sound when "NETRADIO" or "A.AUX" has been
  selected. 

Interesting ... I've never tried or even thought of trying this with the BeoMaster 5.  I'm assuming those that have are reporting good results?

Alex wrote:

Interesting ... I've never tried or even thought of trying this with the BeoMaster 5.  

Only working if there is NO other CD Player configured as an audio master in the ML setup
(eg. a BeoSound xxxx in "A.OPT 0/1/2")!

Vienna wrote:

Maab wrote:

I will further investigate my options, I'm afraid....

 

If you want a "purist/audiophile" solution just for music, you might consider this:

Source & Data storage:
  BeoSound 5 & BeoMaster 5 (1TB internal HD)  

Audio connections:
- digitally via SPDIF from BeoMaster 5 <> BeoLab 5#1 <> BeoLab#2 
  (Role on BM5 must be set to from "NETMUSIC" to "CD")

- analog via fully mounted PowerLink cables
  necessary to send source data "telling" the BeoLab 5s if "CD" is selected
  to switch to the SPDIF instead of using the analog PowerLink input.
  And of course to transmit the sound when "NETRADIO" or "A.AUX" has been
  selected. 

Speakers:
  your pair of BeoLab 5s

Remote:
  Beo 4 or Beo6

 

 

 Thank you for your input.

That's about what I have in mind.

However, how come the Beomaster doesn't have a digital output? They say (B&O) beaolab 5 are better connected digitaly.

Also, how about a MacMini. Can it be integrated with the BeoSound 5?

Maab wrote:

However, how come the Beomaster doesn't have a digital output?
They say (B&O) beaolab 5 are better connected digitaly.

1) not true for BM5
2) true 

If you prefer a "classic" CD/FM-Radio audio system - both, the BeoCenter 2 and the
BeoSound 9000 have digital SPDIF and analogue PowerLink outputs. (BSd 4 and all the
other audio systems have only analogue PL outs)

If you prefer a "digital age" storage/internet radio audio system - the BeoSound/BeoMaster 5
combo has SPDIF and analogue PowerLink outputs. (BSd5 Encore has only analogue PL outs) 

In a B&O setup the BeoLab 5 uses the digital SPDIF input only when "CD" has been selected.

-> you have to select stored music ("NETMUSIK") via the command "CD".

-> You need a fully mounted PL cable to transmit this information from the source to the BeoLab 5s 

-> All other sources eg. "NETRADIO" will still be tranmitted via the analogue PL cables.

-> To use the digital SPDIF it's EITHER a BSd5/BM5 OR a BSd 9000/BC2 - you can not use a 
     BSd 9000/BC2 as a further audiosystem for your mainroom setup in parallel.

-> You are in dire need of a good dealer / installer - this will cost money ... 

PS: For a BeoSound 9000 you should hurry up, it's the very last batch that soon will be sold out
(these days?/weeks?/months?)