Powerlink output used for non B&O speakers

[Blhu]

Hi,

I am trying to find out how to use the powerlink outputs on a Beosound 3000 to connect to a non B&O amplifier to drive passive speakers with the volume control through the Beosound. Could someone advise what cables to use.

I have not been able to find any Powerlink to XLR cables.

[Evan]

Hey Bihu – Powerlink signals are single ended, not able to send balanced signals that an XLR connector would usually carry. Of course you can use XLR if you want you will just have to make do with the positive and ground wired only.

Each Powerlink jack/cable/plug will carry both left and right channels.

For more details on the connector, see the Powerlink diagram here.

For a quick solution, visit Steve’s site linked at the bottom of this forum.

Location: San Francisco
My B&O Icons:

[Blhu]

Hi,

thanks for your response.  I understand the signal will be unbalanced but it will work.

 

 

[geoffmartin]

“balanced” is a dangerous word that is typically mis-used.

A cable carrying a “fully balanced” signal has a differential signal (meaning that there are two signals and a ground, and the two signals are opposite in polarity) AND their termination impedances are identical.

It is possible to have a balanced connection that does not have a differential signal. You do this by putting a resistor between ground and the wire that would normally carry the “negative” signal (XLR pin 3, for example). The resistor must be identical to the output impedance of the circuit driving the “positive” signal.

This ensures that the interference noise that is received at the other end of the cable is identical, and therefore if the input connection is balanced, the noise will be subtracted from itself, thus cancelling. This is independent of the signal. Driving the cable with as differential signal will increase the SNR by 6 dB (because of the doubling of the signal) but this is optional in an impedance balanced signal.

For example, if you look at the outputs of the original Mackie mixers, the XLR main outputs are fully balanced. (impedance matched WITH a differential signal) but the 1/4″ outputs are impedance balances without a differential signal.

[kronzilla]

You need to be creative and make a PL cable L to output cinch L and one PL cable R to output cinch R.

it is a variable signal so you can use active speakers or a stereo power amp or monoblock’s.

or if you want to do it neat like B&O, one powerlink cable and at the other end L and R out

[Sia43]

geoffmartin wrote:

“balanced” is a dangerous word that is typically mis-used.

It is possible to have a balanced connection that does not have a differential signal. You do this by putting a resistor between ground and the wire that would normally carry the “negative” signal (XLR pin 3, for example). The resistor must be identical to the output impedance of the circuit driving the “positive” signal.

geoffmartin This sounds truly relevant in my case (not related ot the above discussion). I’m trying to define three separate zones in a large room (120 square meters) and address the acoustic challenges in such a space (EQ, delays, etc). I’m planning to use a DSP (miniDSP 10×10 HD, Product Brief PDF) that can handle multiple zones, featuring 10 balanced and 10 unbalanced inputs, as well as 10 balanced and 10 unbalanced outputs. I thought to connect the B&O sound source (Beosound or sources connected to ML/NL) to the DSP and then from the DSP to three separate pairs of Beolabs (one pair for each zone), also adding signal triggers after the DSP to activate the Beolabs. I know that I can use Theater, but I would then need three separate theaters to optimise the sound or each zone (if I’m not mistaken!), and I’m not interested in films but planning for audio only. My questions are:

1- Should I use the balanced or unbalanced input to the DSP?

2. Which output form from the DSP should I use to connect to the Beolabs (balanced or unbalanced)?

[Author]

Posts