Based on your example, and assuming that all items are in the same room, the 'correct' method is:

BeoLab 5's via PowerLink to the BV-7.

BeoSound 9000 via Masterlink to the BV-7.

BV-7 in 'option 2'.

In addition, with this set of equipment, you can also run S/PDIF co-axial cable from the BS-9000 directly to one of the BeoLab 5's and then daisy-chained to the other.  This will let the 5's 'see' the raw digital stream from the CD drive and gives you the cleanest signal. 

Russ 

Hi Russ,

this is exactly what i was thinking about - that the signal from BS9000 isn't as clean when it has to go through BV7 to BL5s. In the case you described ( S/PDIF option ), i presume the BL5s are still somehow connected to the BV7 - how?

And if I wanted a pair of BL3s in the back, for a surround sound setup, which would use only be used for movies, I guess the BL3 would go into the BV7 via PowerLink and the BL5s would stay connected to the BS9000 via S/PDIF cable?

Sorry for the newbish questions, but I haven't really found any material on this topic, so if anyone knows where I could, please let me know.

Read carefully Grasshopper....
 

I said 'In addition....'  not 'Or instead....'

In a room with a BV-7 MK-3/US EVERYTHING in the room connects to the BV-7.  All of the BeoLabs via PowerLink, the BeoSound 9000 via MasterLink.  What most don't know is that the fully wired PL cables which ship in the BeoLab 5 box allow the BV-7 to 'tell' the BL-5's which source is selected.  If the S=P/DIF cables are connected, and the BV-7 indicates 'CD' then the BL-5's look for the digital signal, but continue to monitor the PL input for volume information.  In all other cases they use the PL inputs as normal.

 By the way, I wouldn't worry too much about the audio quality of the ML connection, as it bypasses the BeoSound 9000's pre-amp section entirely and is shielded and balanced output.

Russ