I'm afraid not, the beomaster 5 is the guts of the system without you will just have nice head unit that can't do anything.

Maab wrote:

I apologize for coming back with questions,

If you didn't have questions, the other members would have nothing to answer! 😁

Don't apologise. Ask as many as you want, that's what the forum is here for!!

Thank you very much.

Maab wrote:

Can a Beosound 5 (not the encore) be on his own driving the beolab 5 digitally,
without the bm5?

It's possible the other way round.

You can use a BeoMaster 5 without a BeoSound 5 eg. by connecting the BM5
to a B&O TV and using the TV as display and IR-receiver.

But then the user interface won't be the same - it then will be very similar to the one
of BeoPlayer/BeoPort installed on a PC.

I'm still thinking whether to go bs5/bm5 route. I must say thou, the number of options intimidates me.

I'm still looking for some kind of digital preamplifier that would input all sorts of digital signals and output them correctly to the bl5, all the signals not just CDs. Is this utopia of is there a device do it all that I am not aware of?

Anyone here experienced Tact digital preamps?

Maab wrote:

I'm still thinking whether to go bs5/bm5 route.
I must say thou, the number of options intimidates me.

Elephant's post is spot on - it's either BSd/BM5 or *G* the Big-Mac or Mini-Mac "Menu"

Sorry folks, 

during all the discussions about details I forgot to mention that 
a BSd/BM 5 combo connected digitally to a pair of BLb 5s requires 
an essential setting to be done first:

Enter the "customer service menu" by pointing at "MODE"
turn the whel down to "SETTINGS" and press ">" ">" "GO"
turn the whel down to "SPEAKER TYPE" and press "GO" 
and select "BEOLAB 5".

Maab wrote:

I'm still thinking whether to go bs5/bm5 route. I must say thou, the number of options intimidates me.

 

 

I'm still looking for some kind of digital preamplifier that would input all sorts of digital signals and output them correctly to the bl5, all the signals not just CDs. Is this utopia of is there a device do it all that I am not aware of?

 

 

Anyone here experienced Tact digital preamps?

 

 

Well,

i'd consider a B&O TV ... it can handle most of your digital signals and distribute it. I think you don't really need a preamp/AV-Reciever in the setup you described ... it can also integrate a lot of 3rd-party gear via PUC, if you want it to. That was one of the reasons i have chosen a B&O TV. It is the master on my system and reduces complexity and boxes a lot!

Regards

 

I wish I knew that months ago, before I purchased one of the last Kuros on the market.

In the future, perhaps yes, but not now.

Simplification is indeed my goal, that's why I am a little reluctant to buy a two boxes system (bm5/bs5).

This is my deduction after all these posts, and I thank you all indeed:

Until settling things down, I'm receiving the speakers only next week, I will connect my iMac, from the other room, directly to the BL5. I just bought the needed converter optical >coax. And play music using the iPhone.

For the rest I will be using the Denon avp via analog connection.

At least for now this configurations will let me going until I decide whether to go all the way B&O.

Maab wrote:

Until settling things down, I'm receiving the speakers only next week, I will connect my iMac,
from the other room, directly to the BL5. I just bought the needed converter optical >coax.
And play music using the iPhone.

For a non-B&O setup you'll have to order a "Sync Cable BeoLab 5 (10m)".

The cable ensures that both loudspeakers always play at the same volume level
when connected to non-Bang & Olufsen equipment and volume is controlled via
your Beo 4. B&O item# 6270901.