[Stan]

Unlike Geoff, I wasn’t involved in designing these speakers, but I’ll give it my best guess.  I doubt if there are any differences between the RCA and PowerLink connections. These both accept analog signals, and each probably sends essential the same signal to the same internal circuits.  Any difference might be attributable to the cable being used.  That is, there are probably more bad RCA cables out there than PowerLink.  However, if either cable is decent quality, then there should be no difference.  Use whatever is more convenient.   I’m sure Geoff will correct me if my guessing is wrong.

One nice thing about PowerLink is that it carries both left and right signals so you can daisy-chain your speakers.  That is, instead of running a cable from your source to each speaker, with PL, you can run from your source to speaker 1, then from speaker 1 to speaker 2.  Sometimes this makes the cabling easier.

Also, note that the BL18s are “digital” speakers so the analog signal you send to them will be digitized and DSPd before being converted back into analog and sent to the drivers.  You can skip that initial digitization step if you use the TOSLink connection (which must be daisy chained) and send a digital signal to the speakers.  However, if you like the sound of your DAC, you may not hear this as an improvement.  Volume control can be an issue with the TOSlink connection (it depends on your whether you source device supports).

[Stan]

Try a different, non-hdmi input.  I had a similar problem, and this fixed it.  My understanding I’d that the hdmi ports are on a different board.

[Stan]

Many of the sellers in the US know absolutely nothing about most of the B&O that they have to sale (not sure if they actually sell much).  They act more like an on-line pawn shop than a pre-owned stereo dealer.  At least at a pawn shop, you could probably talk the owner into letting you do the test before buying, but, alas, most don’t have physical locations (or they have a single far away location).

[Stan]

Madskp wrote:

Rolf2 wrote:

Hi Madskp, look here, please, that thread will help you: Beolink ML/NL version number? 1.4, 1.3 Kind regards, Rolf

Thanks a lot, great info, might have overlooked that thread while searching for it.

Madskp wrote:

Does the AUX input have audiosense for automatic playback when a source is playing?

Stan wrote:

Yes.

The manual states that this function is for the powerlink connectors, but has the software been updated since the manual was written so it also works for audio distributed to ML and NL?

I’d trust the documentation over anything I say. I owned a BLC for a few years, and I did use the AUX and PL sockets, but now that you mention it, maybe I never distributed the AUX audio.

About the software, the linked thread and an eBay listing led to believe that they are no longer user updatable. However, this could be wrong as well. After re-reading the thread, I guess no one ever says that they are not user updateable, and maybe the eBay guy is just trying to justify his higher price. Unfortunately, for me, my closest dealer is >300 miles away so working with a dealer is not an easy option.

[Stan]

Thanks Carolpa!  That works so I was able to verify that I have 2.5.3.131.

[Stan]

1. AFAIK, you can no longer download the software so I would ask about the version.  Unfortunately, my experience is that this is usually answered “I don’t know”.  I’ve been in the market on and off for a BLC for a while, and I have not bought anything because of this.
2. Don’t know
3. Aux can be distributed to both ML and NL sides as well as local powerlinks.
4. Yes.

[Stan]

Hi Morten,

I would like to echo Steve’s comments above.  It’s great to get information directly from the source.

About the reliability, on the forum, we have long complained about the little (and sometimes no so little) issues we’ve had with the NL speakers and the app. However, in researching wireless speakers from other brands, this is a very common complaint (app hangs, speakers drop out, resets, reconnects, etc.), and, I’d say in the last 2 years, my NL speakers have been quite excellent.  Keep up the good work.  You definitely seem to be on the right track.

[Stan]

Morten,

I can’t see the version beyond 2.5.3… so I assume it is 2.5.3.131. I do run LC3+. I see it was upgraded fairly recently so maybe the dropouts I recall are from before the upgrade.  I’ll keep this in mind.  Thanks for the information.

Stan

[Stan]

I definitely considered the Level, but they take up too much space.  Not their own footprint, but because I’d need to keep the area in front of them unobstructed.

[Stan]

I listen mostly to Deezer and B&O Radio, and once in a while one of the channels drop for a second or two.  I haven’t identified any rhyme or reason to it happening. This with Balances that are hardwired to the router and each other (daisy chained).  It happens infrequently so it’s mostly just a little annoying.  Software 2.5.3.

[Stan]

If they had been available in the US last year, I probably would have bought a pair for my office.  I even downloaded a sound meter to verify that I typically listened within Steve’s recommendations (and I did).  However, I got tired of waiting and sprung for a pair of Balances which have really impressed me.  However, I’m pretty sure I would have been fine with the Emerge… aside from the fact that I’ve never actually heard them.  I may someday replace my Bl4s in my bedroom, but no budget for that today (after busting the budget on the Balances).

 

So I guess B&O won this round since I bought a

much more expensive system because I was impatient

[Stan]

Yes, it’s definitely a GVA thing. My 1 ASE GVA device (a BS1 New York edition that i bought on a deep discount) doesn’t have the alarm option. Why allow a setting when you can just ask your technical overlord?

[Stan]

Great information.  Thanks!

[Stan]

I prefer the sound of a single BS2 to a single Balance.  However, I absolutely love my stereo paired Balances.  I have not heard a stereo pair of BS2s, but I was concerned that the side firing midrange drivers wound mess up the stereo.  I can’t really put to words why I have these preferences, but I hope this helps.

[Stan]

Please report back with your progress.  I’m on the fence about re-adding a BLC to my setup, but I worry about whether it will still work in a couple years.

[Stan]

Hi Steve,

Is there a reason you suggest PL to Aux rather than using the AUX output of the BS9000?

Thanks.

[Stan]

How are they connected?  PL to Aux-in?  If so, I’d turn up the volume on the BS9000.

I think it’s also possible to connect from the BS’s AUX port… you just need to make sure to find an RCA to DIN cable with 4 RCA leads (2 input/2 output).  However, as others have mentioned, the BS9000 needs to think it has speakers connected to it.

The auto-sense line-in works fine on my Balance (another Mozart speaker) – I have a turn table connected to it.

[Stan]

Times change.  Tastes change.  I have a fair bit of b&o – bl4000, bl8000, bl1, bl2, bs1, bd2, bs balances, eclipse,bs9000, bs5.  Add some headphones, and BT speakers.  I don’t much use my 4000s or 8000s, but my kids don’t want them. Too flashy, Dad.  I’d say if b&o had stuck with the Lewis design, they might not have many young customers.  My 9000 is broken, and I’m seriously challenged justifying getting it fixed.  While timeless, maybe it’s time has passed (for me).

[Stan]

I also have mk1s, and thought they were much improved with a BS2.  In fact, the BS2 was my favorite B&O purchase for quite some years – as in sound improvement for $ spent.

I haven’t used them in a few years because I replaced them with a pair of Balances because they allowed more optimal placement (and sound better).

[Stan]

Thanks for the help and suggestions.

Here’s the process that I worked out last night that seems to work pretty well (for my future reference, or other forum readers):

1.  Use MediaMonkey to rip CD to disk flac files.  MM’s tagging seems broken, or some is stored in the MM music server vs. embedded as tags in the files.  I just skip any of that and bring it in as Unknown Album with Track01 – Trackxx.
2. Use mp3tag can grab the CD metadata from “freedb” (not sure where it’s really getting it since freedb is supposedly turned off, but that’s what the menu says) and configure the tags in the file.  You can also touch up any tags that you might want to change from what is downloaded.
3. Use mp3tag to convert the “Track01” filename to the track name from the metadata.  Mp3tag has a feature that allows you to do this.
4. Use mp3tag to find album cover art
5. Copy the folder to the BS5’s Music folder using the convention <Artist>\<Album>\
6. On the BS5, find the album in RECENTLY ADDED under FAVORITES and add it to the “RED” playlist (red=Christmas, am I right?) and add it to the EXCLUDED list so MOTS doesn’t play Christmas music in July.  You need to long press GO while pointing to the album to get this option.

Wife selects N.Music and presses “red” button on Beo4.  Win!

[Author]

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