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Inspired by different threads I want to explore the subject of Powerlink compatibility for certain situations where in all cases a fully wired Powerlink MK2 cable is needed:
1) Functionality to turn on the passive speaker amplifiers like MCL2P and Beolink Passive
2) Functionality to drive a MCL network of the Powerlink connection via a Beolink Passive
3) Display the source and volume in the speaker displays (Beolab 3000/4500/5000/Penta)
The info provided in this post is to start with is from my own testing and input from other threads which I have tried to link to. Any input from other users are very welcome and I will try to update this first post accordingly.
Powerlink MK2 VS MK3
First I just want to point of the differences of Powerlink MK2 and MK3 cables that has influence on this subject.
Powerlink MK2 cables are fully wired, meaning that all 8 pins in the DIN connector is in use:
Pin 1 Power up
Pin 2 Ground
Pin 3 Left channel
Pin 4 Speaker on/off (I have also seen this referred to as mute)
Pin 5 Right Channel
Pin 6 Data
Pin 7 Data ground
Pin 8 Power Failure/Overlad
Powerlink MK3 cables are not fully wired, but only have the following pins connected:
Pin 2 Signal ground
Pin 3 Left channel
Pin 4 Speaker on/off
Pin 5 Right channel
Pin 6 Data (not present in the ø2.5mm Powerlink cables)
Pin 7 Data ground
Note that all pin numbers refer to DIN connectors. For RJ45 Powerlink connectors the pin numbering is different than for the DIN connectors.
As the MK3 Powerlink cables do not have Pin 1 they can not be used for activating the passive speaker amplifiers mentioned in this thread
1 Powerlink activated amplifiers
The Powerlink connected amplifiers referred to in this thread are:
– MCL 2P type 1741- 1745
– Beolink Passive type 1655-1658
– ML/MCL Converter type 1650-1653 (the unit is the same as the Beolink passive just with an other product name and type numbers)
All these amplifiers can only be activated by pin 1 in the Powerlink connection as pin 4 is not connected internally in them.
herefore it is crucial to use a fully wired Powerlink MK2 cable to activate these amplifiers. However the source also has to supply the activation voltage on pin 1 in it’s Powerlink connection for this to work. This is the case for a lot of B&O products with Powerlink. However there are a few outliers that does not supply the voltage on pin 1, and therefore pin 1 and 4 in the Powerlink cable has to be switched in one end for it to work.
2 MCL via Powerlink
In some B&O system the datalink86 connection in the AUX connection is connected internally to the speaker 2 connectors data connection for use with a MCL system, and to the data connection in the Powerlink connectors. In these cases the datalink signals are transmitted to all these connections, and MCL products like the Beolab 3500 MK1 can with the correct wirering be connected directly to a Powerlink connection on a compatible audio system like explained in this post https://forum.beoworld.org/forums/topic/bl3500-and-the-mcl-pl-connector/page/4/#post-44614
On the Beocenter 2300/2500 that came without a built in power amplifier the Powerlink ports could be connected to a Beolink Passive to amplify the sound to MCL speaker levels. The data signals are just passed through from the Powerlink input to the MCL data connection on the Beolink Passive.
This was probably a transitional feature to support existing MCL link room system until built in Masterlink became a thing on B&O audio systems.
However on some other systems the same conversion from Powerlink to MCL can be done. This is as far as I know not documented, but this thread should help to give an overview of what is possible. Although it does not make much sense to have this feature in link room products like the Beolink Active, Beolink Wireless 1, MCL2AV etc. I have tried to test it just to be sure.
3) Display the source and volume in the speaker displays
For speakers that has a built in display like Beolab 3000/4500/5000 and Beolab Penta a data signal is needed in order for the displays to work. Therefor Pin 6 has to be present in the Powerlink cable for these speakers. Therefore a Fully wired Powerlink MK2 cable is also necessary for this to work.
I do not have any of these speakers myself, and have therefore not been able to do any testing of this myself. I may look into other threads to find info, and other users are very welcome to share their experience with this.
Comptability overview
*1 When used as an amp for local passive speakers the amp will also be turned on if a link room is activated whereas local speakers will normally be muted. A work around is to make a special Powerlink cable where pin 1 and 4 is switched around)
*2 Based on: https://forum.beoworld.org/forums/topic/beolink-passive-ir-eye/page/3/#post-45824
*3 Based on: https://forum.beoworld.org/forums/topic/beolink-active-1636-pc-input/page/2/#post-43139
*4 At startup of the NL/ML converter the amp is powered on, and has a delay before going into standby. Both tested with the NL/ML converter setup as V.master and A.slave.
*5 Based on testing Beomaster 4500
*6 Pin 1 and 4 in the Powerlink connection have to be switched in one end https://forum.beoworld.org/forums/topic/beoplay-connection-hub-beolink-passive/#post-52181
*7 The amp is activated when the BM5 starts up, but will not start up again after standby in my test
*8 The display will show LOAD TAPE at startup and when switching source, and then show A.TAPE2 regardless of N.music or N.Radio playing
Great information – many thanks for starting the thread and posting the data above!
My BC9500 works the same as BC2300 – turns Passive* on/off but no muting – see here . I haven’t driving MCL, nor have I tried the modified (pin 4 to 1) PL lead but will do so next time my BC9500 is set up.
My Essence Mk2 turns Passive on fine – fully wired RJ45 PL lead used. Hopefully @CharlieWednesday is testing MCL compatibility.
* EDIT: Was actually tested with MCL2P.
My BC9500 works the same as BC2300 – turns Passive* on/off but no muting – see here . I haven’t driving MCL, nor have I tried the modified (pin 4 to 1) PL lead but will do so next time my BC9500 is set up.
Great info, thanks 🙂
My Essence Mk2 turns Passive on fine – fully wired RJ45 PL lead used.
It was actually that I had picked up from another thread, but I can see now that I have made the YES for the MK1. That will be corrected in the next version of the list
To my knowledge and experience all Beosounds / Beomasters will switch on the MC2P / Active / ML-MCL converter when connected with fully wired PL (even the BS Moment).
Note: never tested it on a BS5 or BS5e, but presumably it won’t work on a BS5 when “master” is set off.Also all MCL capable Beomasters will support MCL. That said: why use a seperate amp if the Beomaster is MCL ready (f.e. 4500, 6500, ….)?
My RJ45-to-DIN fully wired powerlink cable arrived today from Sounds Heavenly (thanks Steve!), so I’ve started performing some tests.
To begin with, I went into the settings of my BS Essence and turned off the Integrated Setup option, then I connected that new PL cable to the PL1 socket.
Test 1 – BS Essence > BL Penta – Pass
This passed, with sound and display. The Penta’s came out of standby when I selected a source, and went back into standby when I put the Essence into standby. The displayed first showed LOAD TAPE when I powered it up, and also did that when I switched source between N.Radio and N.Music, but then after a few seconds displayed A.TAPE2, and the volume. It didn’t matter if I was listening to N.Radio or N.Music – both displayed as A.TAPE2 on the Pentas (Of course, I forgot to change the sound level settings in the Essence before I tested this, so now my entire village know the true power of the Penta!).
Test 2 – BS Essence > BL Passive > BV CX50 – Pass
Just a quick test to ensure that the new cable was able to power up the BL Passive, and drive the speakers. I connected a pair of CX50s. When I selected a source on the Essence, the BL Passive powered on and the source was heard.
Test 3 – BS Essence > BL Passive > MCL2AV > BL Penta – Partial Pass
When I selected a source on the Essence, the BL Passive powered on and the source was heard. No display on the Penta’s here, but I wouldn’t have expected that. I was not able to control anything via the IR Receiver (the old rectangular type) with my BEO4, but the Mute button on the IR Receiver did toggle the sound on and off, but you had to press it twice each time to toggle! The LEDs in the IR receiver worked, including the Timer LED, but I didn’t test if the timer was having any effect.
Test 4 – BS Essence > BL Passive > MLL2A > BV CX50 – Fail
In this test I got no response – the LEDs did not light up on the IR receiver and I got no sound. BUT: this is an MCL2A that I have only just got my hands on, and this is the first time I have tested it – it might be faulty, but I used this one as it is already fully wired up. When I have more time I will wire up another working MCL2A that I already had (but it is not currently wired up) and perform the same test again.
Test 5 – BL Essence > BL Passive > BL 3500 Mk1 – Unable to test
I have a BL 3500 Mk1 which has a DIN input for MCL, but I don’t have the right cable to test this and not enough patience or skill to create one myself, so this one will have to remain untested!
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