I am considering a 'light' B&O setup for one of my places. Contrary to my other full B&O systems, this one would consist only of a MacBookPro and a pair of Beolab speakers.

I would not need a complete B&O audio master (i.e. incl. radio and CD player) in this setup: I would only need some sort of B&O pre-amp which would just enable me to:
- remote control the sound with a B&O remote control
- keep a pure PowerLink connection (in order to keep existing PowerLink cables hidden in the walls without having to add an adapter, and in order to keep the speaker on/standby code from the PowerLink)
- in addition, I do not want to add any B&O piece of software to the MacBookPro

As there exists no such B&O pre-amp to my knowledge, the idea would be to use a Beolink Active and:
- to connect a local source (for instance a MacBookPro through an Airport Express and a Cambridge DacMagic), an IR eye, a pair of Beolab speakers, and of course the AC mains plug
- not to connect the Beolink Active to an audio master (as there would be none in this setup)

My two questions to you are:
1- does the current Beolink Active enable the connection of local sources, like the MCL2AV panel did in its time? Or should I get an older MCL2AV?
2- once it is connected to the AC mains, can the Beolink Active (alternatively: MCL2AV) work as an independent, remote controlled pre-amp without being connected to an audio master?

Thanks a lot for your feedback. Kind regards, js

Why not get a Beomaster 3500/4500 to do the job?

Connect your Mac via AUX and enjoy all the audio media that is on the Mac.

Ralf

I did consider a Beomaster indeed, but this would not work for me because I want to hide the hardware and have a separate IR sensor on the wall, hence the Beolink Active idea.

The beolink active should always be connected to a beomaster somewhere.

I think a beoport is what you're looking for. Gives you control over itunes and off course you can connect beolab speakers.

An MCL2 AV works as standalone solution. I had an MCL2AV connected to MCL2P and RL 1000 speakers in a separate "sports-room".

Source was an ipod with ridax ipod docking station, that can be controlled via Beolink. Just plug your ipod onto the station and everything will start automatically - nice.... You can connect 3 local sources: CD (or PHONO), A.TAPE, A.AUX (TV) - if I remember coorrectly.

The BL active will accept one local source assigned as PC and has no Datalink. I don`t know whether it will work without audiomaster, but I can try that when I`m back home. I have a BL active installed in a linkroom.

But the best solution could be a Beoport as said before. Together with your Mac Eye TV hybrid and the great new Link Player you will have N.RADIO, N.MUSIC, CD, DVD, TV...all controlles by Beo4/5. Should also work as audiomaster as you can select A.OPT 1, 2.

Hope this helps

Stefan

Hi Stefan, I am glad to read that the MCL2AV can work standalone. I would be thankful if you can try with the BL Active as well, that would be very much appreciated.

I understand that Beoport would be the recommended option, but I for some reason I may not follow this route.

Again, many thanks in advance for testing your BL Active standalone.

Kind regards, js

js, I`m sorry to say that BL active doesn`t work as standalone. It could not be activated from standby by pressing PC.

After disconnecting power and masterlink from BL active I reconnected mains and tried to activate it by Beo4 - no luck.

Then I tried to activate it by pressing the PLAY button on the IR eye - again no luck. After replugging masterlink everything worked as usual.

So I think the MCL2AV is the way to go....

Stefan

Are there Link Options that would affect its Standalone behaviours ?

Stefan, thank you so much for havings tested you BL Active for me. That was very kind of you.

elephant:

Are there Link Options that would affect its Standalone behaviours ?

Interesting question indeed... I could not find any installation guide/user manual on the site.

No problem. You`re welcome.

For the Link options: I tested it in L.OPT 2 - 4 - 6. It didn`t even start up by pressing PC (L-PC in L.OPT 4).

Stefan

stefan:

I tested it in L.OPT 2 - 4 - 6. It didn`t even start up by pressing PC (L-PC in L.OPT 4).

Thank you for the test, in another thread (Beolink Active - PC Input) Keith quoted these options:

Firstly, there are/were two versions of Beolink Active. The early version without the Beolink PC socket were Type 1616 depending on country and the mark 2 version was Type number 163X

The latest software version for the Type 1616 was 1.3 and the following problems were resolved when taking the software from 1.1 which almost everyone purchased to 1.3:-

• Listen-in when using the volume up and down buttons
• Option 5; to be used if the product is placed in the same room as a non-linkable B&O TV (not connected to the BeoLink)
• Option 6; to be used if the product is placed in the same room as a TV of another brand

The software 1.3 was introduced from serial no 94109567 for Type 1616 only

So - if I understand this correctly - 1616 has no PC input at all and 1636 with 1.1 does not work correctly....

This means: 1636 with SW 1.3 is needed?

Ralf

I have a 1636 SW 1.1 working with the PC input.

Stan