I want to buy a BeoSound 9000 or a BeoCenter 2. Does anyone have expirience with both systems and can tell me which one is better concerning the sound? I have BeoLab Pentas at the moment and want to buy BeoLab 5's next year.

 Flenser

hi,

 

I have both systems. I cannot tell you wheter or not there is a difference in sound but all I can say is that both systems are amazing IMHO!

There will be no difference in sound if you connect both with a digital connection, although this doesn't account for the radio.

It rather depends on how you plan to use your music. I have a BC2 because I use N.Music mainly: I have a large HDD with 20,000 tracks on it. The BC2 has a better display than the BS9000 and also has DAB radio, both of which I find useful. If I mainly used CDs, I would have the BS9000. The BC2 of course can also be a DVD player. I also never liked the covered buttons on the BS9000 and the new BC2 has audio feedback of button presses which it didn't originally have and which was needed.

The 9000 is a design icon and still will be in another 20 years (IMO) I wonder if the same can be said of the BC2.
Having said that, I wonder if CDs will be readily available in 20 years

Andy T.

What would one use the digital output on the 9000 for?

cheers sandy

The digital output can be used to attach to the Beolab 5 speakers so that the D/A converter in the speaker is used rather than the one in the BS9000. It is also possible to use a different DAC if you want if using other speakers.

I have both as well. I think difference is sound is there but it comes down to taste. The BS9000 is definitely  a design icon and will always be.

I do agree with Peter, I don't like the covered buttons for usability on the BS9000, for looks it's a must though. 

What I do is, I have CDs that I like very much in my BS9000 and I do not switch much around while the BC2 I use to play what is in heavy rotation. BS9000 is in Option 0 and connected through AUX to the BC2.  Best of both worlds.

The benefit of the BS9000 is definitely that you can load a few hours of music and then just have it run without interruption. The BC2 you will meet every hour to change CDs.  Changing CDs on the BS9000 I find a bit annoying, I always struggle to find the cover but that is me and my personal chaos.

 Cheers

Jk 

Down to personal preference at the end of the day. I bought a BS9000 before Christmas and considered the BC2 because I like the fact that it played DVDs as well but for me it was an easy decision because the design of the BS9000 is a clear winner every time. I love it and listen to every day. The BC2 looks nice wall monuted and if you want to make use of playing DVDs then definitly consider this but in my case I had a 7-40 tv with built in DVD so had no need. You might want to wait until August for the new BeoSound 5 and the BeoMedia 5, which will be two seperate units similar to the two version of the BC2 (audio only and DVD playback/audio). It will look more like a BC2 than it will a BS9000. In terms of sound there is no difference I am sure, but I have only heard them in showrooms not together in my own home. I'd say choose the one that you prefer the design of and for most of us that would probably be the BS9000; dated but absolutly timeless and in a class of its own.

Simon. 

Thank you all for your contributions, they are very helpfull!

You mentioned some things that I was not really aware of. The hidden buttons of the BeoSound 9000 may be a little bit unpractical in everyday use. The BS9000 is definitly a design icon. Sooner or later I will buy it. The idea to have both is tempting...

Because of the delicate nature of the mechanical parts of both of this systems I dont dare to buy them at ebay. I will rather buy a new one.

 

Flenser

I would not recommend Ebay either. Why I think the BC2 can be easily shipped, most sold are MK1 and I would want MK2 as there were significant improvements in the user interface.

For BS9000, it is fragile and while I got mine off ebay the discount was so large that some 500$ for repairs would still have made it a good deal.

Both is really really pleasant if it fits your budget.

 

JK 

 

Ebay is a complete joke. I sold antique golf balls on their up until recently when I decided to close my account and use professional auction houses instead, or deal privately. People want something for nothing on Ebay. If they are not complaining about the price they paid for the item, the unreasonable postage costs, or the packaging, they are complaining about something else. The listing fees, reserve price fees, Paypal fees and other fees in between are an insult. The time required to photograph items then describe them all is a bit too far fetched for me and I can't be bothered with all the effort for such little reward. You only ever contribute to Ebay/Paypal's business, not your own. While I have had some pleasant and straightforward transactions with polite and friendly people, many others I have had to deal with are complete idiots. I have lost interest and wouldn't bother with Ebay for anything at all again.

You get what you pay for in life. If you want a BS9000 go to a dealer and buy one brand new. Then sit back and enjoy it without any unnecessary worries playing on your mind.

Simon.