I purchased my current B&O A/V system in 1994, with the following components: (1) Beosound 9000 CD Player, (1) AV 7000 Tuner, (2) Beolab 4000 Speakers, (2) Beolab 8000 Speakers, and a Beolink converter. Although esthetically pleasing, the AV7000 is somewhat dated in its technology and functionality.

When I originally purchased the equipment I had a multi-room application. I now have a have a single room surround sound application. I want to incorporate the two pair of speakers in a 6.1 channel speaker system powered by a Sony STR-DG 1000 tuner. I want to utilize the Beolab 4000's as "Center" speakers, and the Beolab 6000's as "Front" speakers. 

In the original system both pairs of  these "Active" speakers were connected via 8 pin "Powerlink" cables. Both pairs have optional RCA "LIne" jacks, so I assume I can connect them to the Sony tuner using RCA type line cables with "Banana Jacks", and changing the on-speaker switches to "Line". My problem concerns the output of the Beosound 9000 to the Sony tuner. In my multi-room set-up it was linked to the AV7000 through a "Masterlink", and the Beolink Converter.

My questions are:

1) Is there an 8 pin powerlink to RCA cable adapter that will enable me to send the Beosound 9000 CD signal to the Sony tuner?

2) Is it safe to hook-up the high wattage Sony tuner to the B&O active speakers?

I would opt to continue using the AV7000, but the Sony has more bells & whistles, and I really don't want to set-up the ugly infra red sensors on my other components. I assume I would have to continue using the Beo-4 Remote to control the Beosound 9000.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

      

On the back of your sony receiver you will see a group of RCA connectors labelled PREOUT. Using single RCA to RCA cables, connect the left preout to the left beolab, the right Preout to the right, and you will need a mono Y split cable to connect both the 4000's to the center Preout. (A Y split mono cable has a single RCA on one end, and two on the other) All switches on the Beolabs should be set to line.

Connect a 5 pin DIN to RCA cable from the AUX connection on the Beosound 9000 to the CD inputs on the Sony. This will bypass the volume control in the 9000, and make operation more straightfoward. Be aware there are inputs and outputs on the AUX Din connector, if you get the wrong type of cable you will have no sound from the 9000 (no harm will occur). The best type of cable has a 5 pin DIN, and 4 RCA plugs (two RCA are inputs, two are outputs)

 If you want to use the volume control on the Beo4 remote, use a DIN to RCA cable between the 9000 powerlink output (instead of AUX) and the sony cd inputs.

The powerlink output and AUX in out/use the same pins for audio output, so the same cable will work in both cases.

Don't connect the speaker outs (banana terminals) of the Sony to the Beolabs. They are not designed to work with speaker level outputs.

 

Thanks for the very informative response to my questions. I greatly appreciate your help. I did have one additional question regarding the Beosound 9000 DIN to RCA male adapter. You mentioned it would have four leads: Two outputs to the Sony inputs, and two inputs. Are the inputs non-functional, or are they to be plugged into some device?  Thanks again.

The inputs are for connecting an extra source to the Beosound 9000, such as a tape deck or ipod. The extra source may be selected on the 9000 by pressing the Aux button under the flap, or A.Aux on the Beo4. The input pair of plugs would not be connected in your application. It is sometimes not clear when purchasing a 5 pin Din to 2 RCA lead whether it is wired as an input or an output, so it is simpler to get one which has both connections.

 

 

Hi all,

I'm too having an interconectivity issue between b&o and non b&o products. 

I currently own:

BeoCenter 2 - used as dvd/cd player

BeoLab4000

Sony av receiver (StrDB940 if memory serves) - used to decode descete dd chanels to pre outs

 

The above comments solve most of my problems however when i've tried connecting my beolab 4000 via RCA cable to the preout on my receiver I get a hum/buzz which is not present when connected directly to the beocenter 2 using the powerlink cables.

 

Do you have any ideas why this may be happening? Is this normal when connected in this way?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

niffi

Anyone have any ideas?  Should I have started a new thread?

 

Admin...If sou could you split this for me.

 

Cheers

just a quick thought...

did you flip the labs' switch to "line" rather than "R" or "L" ?

the BC2 has a digital coax connector ( Digital Audio Out ) ,  so just connect a £10 pound coax cable directly to the Sony amp according to these specs for your Sony anyway

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/147

 

Hi Davmin,

To answer your questions:-

1) Yes, you can get cables to connect Powerlink outputs to an RCA-equipped non-B&O amplifier/tuner.

2) Never connect amplified speaker outputs directly to your Beolab speakers, as this will cause very expensive damage to your speakers (and probably your ears!) [:'(]  Instead, use Attenuated Speaker Cables to reduce the signals back down to the correct level to connect to the Beolab speakers.

If you need any assistance with locating the correct cables, please ask, or click on my sponsor link at the foot of this page.

Best regards,

Steve.

Thanks for the replies, I'm currently connecting the bc2 to my sony amp via a digital coax, the problem is when connecting the bl4000 to the preout of my amp I get a background buzz.  the Sony amp is old and has been repaired, it maybe an issue with the amp, although would like to know for certain before buying a new one.

I do have another newer amp although that doesn't have preouts :(, as soon as i mention b&0 in any hifi shop they turn evil, stating I should go to B&O...nice!

I'm possibly looking at getting a processor for the dolby digital but again want to make sure that the same thing won't happen that is a buzz.

 

Am grateful for the help, It's driving me crazy...

 

P.S speakers are in line mode ;o)

 

Craig

Have finally got to the bottom of the problem, it was due to the quality of cables used.  Am now using Chord digital and phonos for the connection from beocenter 2 to amp and connection from amp to speakers respectively.

 

Thanks for the help,

 

Craig

Good quality cables can solve many problems!

Glad you've got it sorted.

Steve.