Which POWERLINK output of Beomaster 6500 to use to connect to an external amp

[Marc L]

Hello,

I have the following set:

• Beomaster 6500,
• Master Control Panel 6500 + a B&O “stick” remote control I don’t know the reference of,
• Beogram 6500,
• Beogram CD 6500,
• Nakamichi DR-3 (sorry, no B&O),
• 120 W / 4 Ohms ALR Nummer 3 loudspeakers, a former german brand of 1994, still in perfect condition.

My problem:
My loudspeakers drive certainly too much current for the 8 Ohm dimensioned Beomaster, so that the amp switches off quickly when I play symphonic music at a level above 44 or 46 (of 72 max), what is actually not that loud. That’s really frustrating!

My solution:
Use the Beomaster as a preamp for an external power amplifier that I plan to purchase (a Rotel RB-1552 MkII).

So, I need a POWERLINK DIN to RCA adapter to connect the Beomaster ouput(s) to the amp.
However the Beomaster has two POWERLINK outputs ment to be used for LEFT and RIGHT B&O active loudspeakers according to its setup guide, and the adapters that I find in Internet have one POWERLINK din connector on the one side, and two RCA connectors on the other – to be connected to the amp inputs.
For example:
https://www.danishlink.com/Powerlink-vers-amplificateur-non-BO-p-50-c-2_61.html
https://www.danishlink.com/Powerlink-vers-enceintes-actives-non-BO-p-162-c-2_61.html

My questions:

1. If such connectors are ok, according to the specs, a POWERLINK DIN connector should carry both left and right signals, which Beomaster output should I use?
   Left or Right?
   Any of them?
2. What do you think about the adapters that I have mentioned above?
   (BTW, what is the difference between both articles? Beside the price, I see none.)
   Would you recommend some other adapter?
   I seek the best possible quality.

Thank you in advance for your help,
Marc

• This topic was modified 3 weeks, 6 days ago by Marc L.
• This topic was modified 3 weeks, 6 days ago by Marc L.

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Location: Paris
Favourite Product: Beosystem 6500 (without tape desk), MCP 6500, Red 1972 BEOLIT 500
My B&O Icons:

[Madskp]

To answer the first question, powerlink has both left and right signals in the same connector. Therefore the adapter type with one DIN connector will work fine.

As for quality differences between the two adapters I am not the right one to tell.

Location: Denmark

[Marc L]

Hi Madskp,

thank you for your answer.

However, maybe I wrote too much, but my main concern is actually:

Into which Beomaster output should I plug the DIN powerlink connector?
The Left or Right output ?

Thank you again,
Marc

Location: Paris
Favourite Product: Beosystem 6500 (without tape desk), MCP 6500, Red 1972 BEOLIT 500
My B&O Icons:

[Madskp]

I understand your confussion looking at the manual where the connected active speakers are named left and right. I gues that drawing is just to show how to connect two B&O active speakers with two separete regular powerlink cables. Selection of which speaker is left and which is right is done on the B&O active speaker

Therefor  that setup would also be possible with a Powerlink Y connector only one of the Powerlink connectors on the Beomaster as alle pins in these 2 are internally connected toghther

Hope this helps understand the Powerlink connections

Location: Denmark

[Marc L]

Thank you a lot Madskp !

Yes, your reply helps me a lot and will avoid me to have to study the internal wiring diagram of my Beomaster to get the info you just gave to me.

I just need now to buy the adapter and the external amp…
By the way, I love the sound of my Beomaster as is, it’s just that it is not powerfull enough to drive my loudspeakers.

Thank you again and have a nice weekend!
Marc

• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 5 days ago by Marc L. Reason: typo

Location: Paris
Favourite Product: Beosystem 6500 (without tape desk), MCP 6500, Red 1972 BEOLIT 500
My B&O Icons:

[Marc L]

Hi Madskp and all,

I finally found a good quality Powerlink to RCA cable and bought the Rotel amp.
And I cannot resist the temptation to share with you the results. 😇
First, the sound is fantastic. In a few words, the Rotel reveals the real amplitude of the sound as well in orchestra as in small ensembles, whatever music type you can hear. John Zorn music is good to test all aspects, from subtile violin, cello, guitar or electric guitar with distorsion, percussion again subtile to very lound, etc, etc.

Furthermore, it reveals to me also the high quality of the Beomaster 6500 used as a preamp.
The specs says that it goes from 20 to 20,000 Hz, and I believe that it is really true, especially on the low frequency part. At the age of 61, even if I can still hear the annoying high frequency noise of some electronics like the one produced by former cathodic TV sets, or now by some ADSL internet boxes, I am aware that my capabilities in the high frequency end must be now limited.
(One day I will check that with my now vintage Tektronik oscilloscope. Yes, I collect – functional – vintage stuff… 😉)
Also, the “global sound” of my system did not change. Everything sounds like before, only with more … who do you say? … “ampleur, profondeur”.
What shows again the quality of the 6500 amp itself, for which it was actually only difficult to drive my 4 Ohms loudspeakers.
Finally regarding usability, I do not have to change my habits regarding sound volume. The volume is indeed the same as before. Really convenient!

In short, I am enthusiastic about my new set up.
Below the whole picture.

Marc

Yes, the walls need repainting… 😏

 

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Location: Paris
Favourite Product: Beosystem 6500 (without tape desk), MCP 6500, Red 1972 BEOLIT 500
My B&O Icons:

[AdamS]

It seems I’m too late and you have a solution, but the Beomaster 6500 should not have any problem driving your ALR speakers.

It sounds like the output stage bias settings may have drifted off and need checking and re-setting.

[Marc L]

Than you AdamS for your reply.
You are probably right but…

• I noticed the problem very quickly when I have purchased the Beomaster 20 years ago on eBay*, even only on tracks with really heavy bass use and at a certain sound level.
• From the technical point of view, the specs of both the amp and the loudspeakers, it seems logical to me that my loudspeakers are too heavy stuff for my Beomaster:
  • Beomaster:
    • Long-term max. output power IEC: 2 x 110 W / 8 ohms
  • ALR Nummer 3 (see photo**):
    • suitable for amplifiers from 30…250 W
    • Impedance: 4 Ohms
    • nominal power handling: 120 W
    • music power handling***: 160 W

Marc

PS: Anyway, I am very happy with my new setup which really brings the whole system to a noticeable higher level. 😜

 

(*) I bought the Beogram as a new item back in the 90’s and in 2005 after a big disappointment with a Yamaha amplifier which turned out to be among other things not reliable, it was time for my Beogram to be accompanied by its natural B&O companions.
(**) You may have noticed the wheels I have fitted to my speakers… There used to be spikes, screwed under the black plate, which actually weren’t very practical in a small flat where I had the need to move the speakers when I wanted good listening conditions.
(***) Whatever it means.

• This reply was modified 2 weeks ago by Marc L.

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Location: Paris
Favourite Product: Beosystem 6500 (without tape desk), MCP 6500, Red 1972 BEOLIT 500
My B&O Icons:

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