Beolab 3500 with MCL to PowerLink Convertor.

[Kristian Buckhøj]

Hi B&O loving people,

I have a Beolab 3500 mk.1 where the IR doesn’t work, so I can’t put it in MCL input mode. Which means I can’t add a music source to it. But I have seen a few used MCL/ML to PowerLink convertors online, which are fairly cheap. This made me think that I could use one of those to trigger and direct my music source to the speaker via a good old ML cable.

Do any of you have experience with this solution? does it work?

Or would a 8 pin DIN to RCA and 5v trigger, wake up the system? Would be a cheaper and simpler solution.

I know I could get a “new” beolab 3500 for around the same money, but I don’t wanna throw my current speaker when any thing else work fine.

All input or ideas are welcome.

[Madskp]

Hello

First of. the MCL/ML converter will not work for this scenario. The powerlink plug is an input as it can also be used as an amplifier for passive speakers.

 

This thread has a description of different solutions https://forum.beoworld.org/forums/topic/bl3500-and-the-mcl-pl-connector/

Since the IR is not working there are not many solutions available. Several attempts has been made by me and other members to trigger the Beolab 3500 with 5V signals without luck.

The only working solution I know of for a MK1 is the Almando Masterplay (my experience described here https://forum.beoworld.org/forums/topic/bl3500-and-the-mcl-pl-connector/#post-44537 ) but it is not being produced anymore, so you should be lucky to find one

Location: Denmark

[Kristian Buckhøj]

Hi,

Thank you for your feedback. I will definitely take a look at your thread in detail.

It sounds weird that you can trigger it though the ML or MCL ports, since that’s how other B&O products talk to it. Especially since it doesn’t have a build in source player.

I have read that many of these trigger+RCA to DIN doesn’t work with the BeoLab 5, but think that’s because of its internal dsp. Which the BeoLab 3500 doesn’t really have. So again, why wouldn’t it work??

Do you by any chance have the pin out documentation for the ports on the BeoLab 3500? Might try with an esp32 dev board.

I now wonder if my beocenter 9000 can talk to it, but it doesn’t have ML or MCL. It does have link capability via the Beolink (type 2046) box and datalink, which I have. Also the beolink does say MCL 2A on it. Since both devices was able around the same time period, one would think.

Otherwise I might need a new front panel on my BeoLab 3500. Or maybe the IR eye can be connected?

Again thanks for the feedback.

[Kristian Buckhøj]

Okay, so my engineer brain went down a rabbit hole….

There was at some point something called an ML Gateway, which allowed you to control ML device via the network. Sort of Beo intelligens but earlier. To add to this someone as made an Home Assistant (HASIO) integration, which allows you to control it via HASIO. This could be way cooler than my Chromecast audio streamer with some weird cable solution that might not work…..Also I do use HASIO so…  I Have attached the ML gateway Installation guide and here is the HASIO integration 

Also Someone has made a hat for a raspberry pi for controlling ML/MCL device. They also have some documentation for how the data signals look like. Check this link.

With this in mind, it could be possible to make a streamer which and wake and play music on the beolab 3500 using an ESP32. NICE!

I’m unfortunately not good at programming, so I might start with looking at the ML Gateway.

 

Attachments:

You must be logged in to view attached files.

[B3OHACK3R]

Hi,

repairing the BL3500 IR is not that complicated if you know how to solder.
https://forum.beoworld.org/forums/topic/beolab-3500-sometimes-responds-to-remote-control-sometimes-it-doesnt/#post-52572

The ML Gateway alone won’t help you much as it requires a master system (video or audio) to provide power to the ML bus.
The Raspberry adapter can do that and plays well with a BL3500 stand alone (without the MLGW).

[Author]

Posts