General Forum

Re: CD5500 digital output format

Jackplug — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 12:15:25 GMT

To all on here approaching 40, 50, 60 or just 34 something, and you're wondering what to buy, store this thought, life is but a small blip between to long periods of darkness. The longer you wait the less time you have left to enjoy them. What am I going to do if the Mrs says "it's either me or those speakers..." :) By my calculation I have 40 more years and should out-live the BL5s. But if I go under a bus next week then I will have had the weekend with them, which is more time than Mel B spent with Eddie Murphy :)

Re: CD5500 digital output format

Jackplug — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 12:06:00 GMT

On the gift to one's self bit. I had a new car delivered on my 30th... I'm a bugger aren't I ?

Re: CD5500 digital output format

Jackplug — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 12:04:00 GMT

I like a challenge, maybe I will wiat for the guys to leave, so they don't know what I done if it blows up. And, maybe, just maybe, until the 'new' smell has gone from them, I may just press pause before pulling wires out ;)

Re: CD5500 digital output format

soundproof — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 11:58:11 GMT

An excellent gift to oneself!

I was quite impressed that my Beogram CD6500 delivered a pure digital signal to the BL5s.

If you run both connections (PL and digital), and then disconnect the digital one from the back of your CD-player, you'll actually hear the change in sound character from digital to through-powerlink. Be curious to hear what you think of that.

(And yes - I know you're not supposed to disconnect from a running unit, but I couldn't resist.)

Re: CD5500 digital output format

Jackplug — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 11:41:11 GMT

Less not forget, Powerlink has two functions. To relay both audo and control data. Would seem reasonable that the two could work indipendently via a combination of datalink commands 'telling' the BL5s to ignore any associated audio signal within the same powerlink circuit and concentrate on a digitial one (if found). That combined with BL5 auto detecting one or more inputs with priority being placed on the digital one (even though, a perfectly good Powerlink line signal is found to be present). I will try it all, just for fun. Anyone dare me to ask the dealer and installation guy these sorts of questions on the day ::::)))) And then post their dubious replies? I shouldn't be so unkind, so far I'm a BL5 virgin, at least for another 12 hours or more :) I can see this thread becoming a monster. All I needed to know was will it work with a 20year old Beogram CD??? So I'll be amazed if I even get that far. :-) BUT, if it does, and once I've told you all it does. You won't be seeing me on here for a few weeks, because I will be busy :) and then most likely deaf - divorced.

Now, what shall I name them both. That could be a thread, a really sad one. Watch out. How about Eric & Ernie or R2D2 & C3PO.

Need a coffee (with something in it) ::::))))

Have a good weekend folks, I will be in my 40s come Monday

Re: CD5500 digital output format

soundproof — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:47:10 GMT

Follow PL.
The BL5 just takes the best signal it can find, but it obeys the source that the Beomaster/BeoCenter, etc, is playing.

I'm routing my digital CD signal through an S/PDIF switcher, that will also take the TosLink S/PDIF from my Mac mediacenter. It won't matter whether I'm playing a CD or files on my computer, the BL5s will still get a best possible digital signal to process, while the Beomaster controls them through Powerlink.

Re: CD5500 digital output format

Alex — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:43:17 GMT

This may be one for Roger to answer (or Keith, if he really does know everything! ). If BeoLab 5s are in digital mode, and the PowerLink tells them of a change of source, yet the digital PCM output from the CD player continues, do the BeoLab 5s follow the commands from the PowerLink, or do they continue chugging away with the digital signal?

Re: CD5500 digital output format

Puncher — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:38:47 GMT

Direct digital from any Cd player to your BL5's will let them sing at their (designed) best. Fear not and enjoy all they have to offer. (He said feeling particularly jealous)

Re: CD5500 digital output format

Jackplug — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:49:25 GMT

Thanks for that last post. I did wonder about all this knowing that B&O often surprise you by the thinking of everything (but not always). Since my Beomaster 5500 does not have Powerlink then I have it connectied to an MX5500 (which does) and VX5000 via Audio Aux link cable. Before I read your post, I found page 9 of the BL5 user guide has a diagram showing the set-up I need. i.e. direct digital from the CD Player to the BL5s but then the Powerlink coming from the TV (BV5 shown in the picture) with a link cable (master link or audio aux link I guess) between the Audio and Video systems. Until a saw that and read your message I was unsure how it would all work. Seems logical. Same process I guess that I have with my Bose Lifestyle 8 upstairs. That will detect Dolby Digital if present and revert to analogue input if not. I'm hoping this all works as my 20 year old CD5500 has a slight fault in the analogue audio path from time to time, summer / winter, must be a dry joint etc. Hoping that using the direct digital output will bypass that, at least for use with the BL5s. Won't be listening to it through anything else now will I :) Don't really like any of the audio systems lately and hard media is on the way out which why I got the BL5s first. I will worry about what to feed them with idc but if the CD5500 digital work that I'll stick with it for another 20 years if I can.

Once again, thanks for the helpful info and reassurance. Will report back Monday.

Re: CD5500 digital output format

soundproof — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:27:21 GMT

Even if you connect it in parallel, with the Powerlink and Digital cables carrying the signal, the BL5s will pick the digital signal when they detect it.

I'm assuming you have a master unit with Powerlink out. I have run the digital signal from my BgCD6500 direct to the BL5s, while also connecting the BgCD6500 to a Beomaster 7000. The Beomaster controls volume, while the digital signal is processed directly by the speakers.

Re: CD5500 digital output format

Jackplug — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:52:23 GMT

Hummm, thanks chaps. Not had the BL5s deliverd yet (Sat 4th, day before my 40th Birthday :-) Couldn't wait any longer and the price jump on 1 July was the killer blow (so got my deposit in on 30th June).

Didn't know the cables came with the BL5s. Was told that the Powerlink cables are included (5m) but when I asked the dealer about any digi cables he didn't say. So for £10200 I should be asking him where the cables are (if they're not in the box). Cheers.

Will let you know how I get on.

Thanks

Re: CD5500 digital output format

soundproof — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:12:44 GMT

Very simple connection job.

The RCA connector in the back does carry an S/PDIF signal. Your BL5 came with two digital RCA coax cables. Connect one between the BGCD5500 and one BL5 -- the other cable between the two speakers.
You're set.

Re: CD5500 digital output format

Puncher — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:06:39 GMT

When you get it working you can tell Peter all about it - stop him looking at these separate DAC thingymajigs

Re: CD5500 digital output format

The Stig - ver. 1.7 — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 16:57:40 GMT

the cable you need came with the BL5 speaker normal Rca will work

CD5500 digital output format

Jackplug — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 16:48:04 GMT

? So is it S/PDIF, anyone know? Only thing I can find printed anywhere by B&O is... "digital out for use with future digital equipment..." so it said back in 1987 when I bought it. Well, we're now in the future and I want to hook it upto some Beolab 5s and will need cables, and probably B&O ones or other expensive (non ordinary) RCA coax types, 5m worth or more. Also, if the answer is yes, it will work, can anyone suggest what standard of cables will be needed? i.e. £4.99 from ASDA or £££££ per metre from a shop in Oxford St etc.