Any news on the BC2 audio; exact tech.specs / date of launch in Europe ?

 

Marcel

 

I think it is available right now...

yes, it is mentioned on B&O.com that you can choose between an audio only and DVD version. No mentioning though of a new finish, that is still to come I guess.

I saw one yesterday at a dealer's window display. Looked quite similar to the original BC2. Was set up next to a pair of red BL9... I almost fell in love!

The Audio only BC2 has got the same head as the DVD version (same part number), only the socket is changing.

 There is no different finish, at least for now.

 

ph.

As stated above - the master unit is the same for both versions, only the socket unit is changed. The BC2 master unit now comes with a second finish ("steel") - this new finish is available across Europe now. You can tell them apart when placing the "steel" version next to the "alu" version, but I failed the A-B test when products were placed further apart - so the difference is not what I would call obvious.

Dealers can keep one stock of master units, but will need to keep two stocks of socket units.

Roger

What is the price of the BC2 audio only?

It is in the revised price list that runs from June 1st - not too sure about the UK price, but approx £500 less than the DVD version.

Roger

Merci Roger

In the Netherlands: € 3210,-

Rombeek:

In the Netherlands: € 3210,-

That's almost the price of a BS3200 here in Luxembourg. The prices should not differ to much between these two countries. Somehow strange IMO. I think the BC2-audio should be cheaper than the BS3200, because the BC2 is only a player with radio (and digital out), whereas BS3200 has an inbuilt harddisc. Strange B&O price-policiy...

The aluminium manufacturing process of the BC2 is very complex.

The BS3200 has a hard drive, but that is about it: It is still based on David Lewis' entry-level BeoSystem 2300/2500 from 1991, still has the "so-80's" poor display, tacky rubber buttons and plastics worthy of only an entry-level model. The BC2 is in a different league when it comes to materials used, display/user inteface and technology (cd/dvd-drive quality).

Roger

This is a quote from www.bang-olufsen.com (the BeoCenter 2 page):

If you have chosen BeoCenter 2 without the DVD option, the sources like radio and CD can be selected independently in different link rooms

Does this mean you can listen to radio in one link room and to CD in another link room?

I do believe they mean you can listen to radio in a link room and to CD in the master room or vice versa (which you can´t with a BS 9000).

You belive correctly - the current ML cable can only handle one audio source at any given time.

Roger

Just what I thought. It would´ve been nice with a Multi Source Link, but I guess B&O isn´t there yet.

They should rewrite that sentence.

Roger:

You belive correctly - the current ML cable can only handle one audio source at any given time.

Roger

I was told in store yesterday that with the beosound 4 you can listen to an sd in one room and a cd at the same time in another room... isn't that the same thing? 

The new ML cable will sort this out - but this was "expected" to be released more than a year ago. To take advantage of this new cable system a new A/V product must be able to deliver multiple audio signals at once, so the text is correct - but the current ML cable and protocol limits this. Anyone with a BeoCenter 2 can try to play a CD in one link room and press RADIO in another link room...

Roger

Do I have to exchange all ML cable also to have this?

It was said, on the old forum, that you only had to replace the main cable running through your house (the "highway"), but any lateral cables could be kept. The strategic question may be whether they release this product or put everything on hold for the Wireless 2 product.

Newer products are prepared for this new standard - so it must be coming, one way or the other.

Roger

Roger:

 that you only had to replace the main cable running through your house (the "highway")

I have many meters hidden all over the house (attic, walls and basement). Have prepared severals room already. Need much money and time to change.

It´s hard to be a Beophile! Anyone want to buy some (old) ML cable?

The concept for the BC2 is interesting, but I miss a few things. The player should be able to interpret SACD, that B&O haven't gone for that format is mysterious. It's a quality brand, and it directs itself towards people concerned with quality. Nearly all classical and jazz releases from good labels are now available either as stand-alone SACD or as hybrid disks with both CD and SACD encoding. Given the quality of B&O's loudspeakers, going for a more enveloping SACD sound would make sense ...

And I know "everything" about the new audio formats, etc, that "are worth waiting for" - but right now I'm still buying most of my music on CDs and I would have loved it if the BC2 audio did SACD.