Well, there are a few B&O cd-players that don't have s/pdif out, and where you have to rely on the analog conversion in these, while sending the signal to BL5s. And the DACs inside these do not approach the quality of those in the BL5s. There are some very good processors on the market, with excellent DACs, and they're not necessarily expensive

I have BL5 and BL3 with a non-B&O processor. All are connected to the processor through LINE IN. Use the surround set-up test tone in the processor to set the same level on each speaker. This gives you a working reference for the rear channels, as well as a volume level for surround. But as you say, s/pdif plays much louder than the line in. Either

Well, as I write: (Dependent upon the quality of your external processor, of course.)

Dave Moulton should correct me if I'm wrong, but there isn't that much difference in how the BL5s process an analog signal compared to a digital one. Yes, if your source is digital, then it's good to pipe it as such to the speakers, to avoid a conversion. But if you have a separate processor for surround, just let that take care of the various

The BL5s are only rarely (1 in 10?) set up right at dealers. Get a home demo. You'd want something that properly processes a variety of signals, and then sends something to the BL5s that they understand. I'd want to have both the analog LINE-IN and S/PDIF connected.

You can listen to 2-channel using just the L/R front speakers, in a surround set-up. You'd only send sound to other speakers if it was a multi-channel mix. Personally, I prefer having the action in front of me. But my post above concerns the limitations of two-channel, with regards to what was originally envisioned by the inventor of Stereo, who

http://www.vinylrecorder.com/stereo.html

I may have misunderstood, and if so, please correct me. 1. BD is fitted in the BV7, which has a screen size that doesn't need the BD image resolution. 2. But BD high resolution audio isn't enabled, by a company which grew its reputation in audio? Did I get this right?

It is a good day - I'm going fishing! The BL5s are clever in that they detect signals, whether from Line-In or the coax s/pdif. They give priority to the s/pdif, if detected. Which means that you can have two different sources connected to the speakers. If you have more digital sources than one, then you have a challenge, but it's easily solved

Good quality reference. Properly polished rosewood, to boot.