For years I have had a dream of building a bridge between my new B&O world (BS4 and now BV8) and my old B&O world.

Part of this dream is to try and create link rooms that have their own sources ...

Today I assembled this setup and tested it ...

... and apart from some hum and crackle from a loose connection somewhere ... I was happy !

I was able to play on my "link room" BeoMaster 5000's BeoLab 4s music from the CD50, AM radio, and FM radio ... and then by pressing TP2 I was able to access the Master Link and its sources: A.Mem, Radio, and CD on the BeoSound 4

I would appreciate comments on the wisdom of this crazy test !

How did you do this? As I recall the BM 5000 is not even MCL but pre-MCL. How do you convert the signals? Are you using the datalink signals or master control signals?

I'm am truly very impressed!

/Lars

LarsJensen:

How did you do this? As I recall the BM 5000 is not even MCL but pre-MCL. How do you convert the signals? Are you using the datalink signals or master control signals?

The "trick" is that when a link session is established between say the BS4 and the BV8 for say Net.Music, the ML is therefore already carrying audio R+L on 4 of its wires, and I tapped into those wires and routed them as input R+L to the TP2.

Unfortunately controls are not exchanged because you are quite correct the BM 5000 is MCL-82.

It has always been my opinion the the link concept was one of B&O's greatest strengths, but human beings also like their private music (looks at the iPod phenomena), and so I have always felt that link rooms should also have independent sources.

Very nice done but a pity about the controls.

I do agree, the link concept is brilliant and even after so many years still surprises alot of people.

Congratulation elephant. Nice idea.

I assume, you connected masterlink direct to datalink of the TP2 socket? Could you explain a bit more? How do the system react, when you press CD (for example) in the mainroom. Will your CD50 also start up?

I did a similiar test with a Beolink Video MKII connected to the audio aux input of a BM4500. BM4500 was set to A.OPT 1. Mainroom sources: BS9000, BS5, BV7-40.

Pressing TV, DVD, DTV, V.AUX let BM4500 start up in A.AUX mode and mainroom TV,DVD,DTV.... start up, exactly as I wanted it to do.

Pressing RADIO, CD, TAPE...will activate BM4500 in RADIO, CD...mode.

Pressing LINK - RADIO (CD....) activates BM4500 in A.AUX mode and mainroom audio source (RADIO, CD...). Great!

Unfortunately it didn`t work with my BM7000, that I have in a linkroom and wanted to connect to my Masterlink system

So maybe your configuration would help - thanks in advance.

Stefan

One thing to note, is that the ML system sends its audio around in a "Balanced" format, so if you pick up the left and right channels into the "Unbalanced" MCL system, it will result in a 6db reduction in sound levels in the main room ( the earth connection from the MCL system effectually shorting out half of the balanced system). A good idea would be to put Balanced to Unbalanced 1:1 transformers between the 2 systems.

langleyav:

A good idea would be to put Balanced to Unbalanced 1:1 transformers between the 2 systems.

Thank you !

This is the technical detail I was seeking.

Do you have an example of what such transformers look like ?  Can I buy them assembled or must I build them from parts ? 

Can be bought off the shelf.

for example :http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/555-7574

stefan:

I assume, you connected masterlink direct to datalink of the TP2 socket?

Actually I connected to the R+L RCA inputs in the photo above.

(the DIN cable is actually the CD50's connection)

I am pleased to hear to your test.

I am convinced that the different ML/MCL systems must share some common heritage. 

So you can`t control your main system via your 5000`s link room. I`m now using a Beolink active 1636 in my 7000?s link room. It is st to L.OPT 4 and the Powerlink out are connected to audio aux link input of BM7000 (instead of Beolabs). Pressing A.AUX activates BM7000 and opens the BL active port. Pressing LINK - CD (N.MUSIC, N.RADIO...)will activate my main room sources. In addition I got an extra PC input on BL active for my Mac mini in the link room. The control on the BL active`s IR eye can be used as an additional volume control and on-off switch. You won`t need a transformer to convert the balanced masterlink signal.

Stefan