Beomaster 6500 to Beolab 3500 -simple connection via MCL please

9 replies

Hi Beoworlders,

The B&O bug has bitten again; this time in the form of a Beomaster 6500, Beogram 6500 CD and Beolab 6000s and Beo1000 and Beo4 remote controls.  I now want to connect a Beolab 3500 to the Beomaster 6500 as simply as possible. I do NOT need a multiroom installation, also not in the future... and I would prefer to avoid the MCL to ML conversion.  Before buying the Beolab 3500, I want to be sure that I can easily connect it. 

I have read many forum entries for what feels like days.  The B&O manuals for these components don't really answer my question and B&O's MCL Handbook confuses me (based on multi-room).

Here's all I think I need:  a B&O adapter cable 6370298 or 6270295 (B&O reference from MCL Manual). This cable consists of two 3-pin MCL plugs wired into one 8-pin DIN plug.  Connecting the MCL plugs to the Beomaster 6500 and the 8-pin DIN plug to the Beolab 3500 (looks like a Powerlink) should surely be all that is needed -or am I dreaming?

Specifically, please could you help me with:

1.   Is the above connection correct? 

2.   If so, where can I obtain the adaptor cable?

3.   Can I buy any model Beolab 3500 for this MCL connection to work or does it need to be an early model (or a LCS9000)?

4.   If an early model Beolab 3500 is necessary, up to which serial no. can I buy?

I'd be very grateful for any help,

Regards,  Normann              

ackthun wrote:

Hi Beoworlders,

The B&O bug has bitten again; this time in the form of a Beomaster 6500, Beogram 6500 CD and Beolab 6000s and Beo1000 and Beo4 remote controls. I now want to connect a Beolab 3500 to the Beomaster 6500 as simply as possible. I do NOT need a multiroom installation, also not in the future... and I would prefer to avoid the MCL to ML conversion. Before buying the Beolab 3500, I want to be sure that I can easily connect it.

I have read many forum entries for what feels like days. The B&O manuals for these components don't really answer my question and B&O's MCL Handbook confuses me (based on multi-room).

Here's all I think I need: a B&O adapter cable 6370298 or 6270295 (B&O reference from MCL Manual). This cable consists of two 3-pin MCL plugs wired into one 8-pin DIN plug. Connecting the MCL plugs to the Beomaster 6500 and the 8-pin DIN plug to the Beolab 3500 (looks like a Powerlink) should surely be all that is needed -or am I dreaming?

Specifically, please could you help me with:

1. Is the above connection correct?

2. If so, where can I obtain the adaptor cable?

3. Can I buy any model Beolab 3500 for this MCL connection to work or does it need to be an early model (or a LCS9000)?

4. If an early model Beolab 3500 is necessary, up to which serial no. can I buy?

I'd be very grateful for any help,

Regards, Normann

1. This is correct. I have used this solution for many years.

2. You can order it at your dealer, at Steve from SoundsHeavenly ( our sponsor of BW) or make it by yourself.

3. Only with LCS9000 or an early BL3500

4. till around year 2000 (s/n 14xxx)

But with newer models you need a Beolink converter type 1611 to use the masterlinksocket. You can use on early models or the mcl- socket or the ml-socket. Not both at the same time.

Perhaps your software of the bl3500 should be upgraded to get the most out of it (n.music/n.radio/aux in the display of the bl3500). The update is a hardware one with a rom-chip.

Make a decision about the cable you want to use. MCL is very out of date. (still works) but it is hard to find this cable. ML is more common and still available and used.

Look at Lifestyle AV for pre-owned equipment or otherwise at you dealer or ebay.

Succes with your project!

Hi Norman and Beofan,

Yes, Beofan is correct, I will be pleased to build this cable for you to use with either an LCS9000 or an early Beolab 3500 (some later Beolab 3500's also have the DIN socket fitted under a blanking cover).  I would recommend using a short Speakerlink (2 x 3pin) to female 8pin DIN adapter, then you can use a standard fully-wired mk.2 Powerlink cable to link to the MCL socket of the speaker.

Important Note: As an update for anyone reading this post in the future, please note that the DIN socket on the LCS9000 and Beolab 3500 is NOT a Powerlink socket, it is a specially-wired Master Control Link socket.  The adapter that I will provide to link to the Speaker 2 sockets of the Beomaster will be wired to match the MCL socket, which is the reason that a mk.2 Powerlink cable can be used with this adapter.  It is NOT possible to connect LCS9000 or Beolab 3500 to a Powerlink socket on a newer audio system or TV!

Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

Kind regards, Steve.

Location: The cable workshop, England

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If you don`t want a multiroom installation, you will install the BL3500 in the same room, where your BS6500 is installed..?

You must know, BL3500 is not just a Beolab, it`s a linkstation, completely controle via it`s own IR eye.

If you want to install it in the same room, you have to set the BL3500 to L.OPT 4. Activating the BL3500 by pressing LINK - CD (-RADIO, -A.TAPE....)

Activate your BL6000 by selecting CD, RADIO....

Stefan

That's the way I use it stefan. You're correct with this.

Another solution is to connect a BL7.1/7.2 etc. directly to your Beomaster via Powerlink. There is no ir-eye on the Beolabs. Add also a table/wall mount because of using the subwoofers beneath these beolabs for the best sound.

But, . . . Its small and does not give a really good stero-image and soundstage. The speakers are to close to each other. This is also for the BL3500.

You can also add some pre-owned speakers to the BL (e.g. BL4000). Much cheaper and a better sound. Have a look at the Lifestyle AV website for the current speakers.

As you can see, there are many options.

Dear Beofan53,

Many thanks for your complete and detailed answers and tips.  I have no more issues now....

Happy Beolistening,

Normann  

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the additional info here.  As you know, I have just ordered the cables and some other stuff from you.  It's people like you who motivate and allow us to keep on going with our favorite AV equipment. 

Greetings,

Normann from Holland

Dear Stefan,

It is very good that you spotted my situation and bothered to reply.  The BL3500 would indeed be in the same room as the Beomaster.  Thanks for pointing out the pitfalls (and the solution!).

Best regards,

Normann 

Hi Steve,

 

trying to find out more about the BL 3500 and Powerlink socket issue. So i already found out there is a version of BL 3500 with a powerlink socket instead of the MCL, but am not sure if i could connect directly to powerlink on my bs3 (using BL3500 as center speaker). Do you have more info to that point? And as well the question of using ML when PL not in use so i could still use the ML for radio and cd and only for video sources i would then use PL socket. Would be so greatful for some information as it is really confusing me at the moment. Thanks

Mariusz

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