General Forum

Re: BeoLab 3's and Mac tower

BeoNut1 — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 12:04:35 GMT

Bill,

Thank you so much for all your help. In the other thread in which I've been also posing similar questions, I formally thanked Soundproof and JK; I should have included you, too. Thank you again for all your insights, they've helped me make a decision. As you suggested, I'm going to go BV8, BL3s, Apple TV, and HDMI.

Also, if you have a chance to check out this set-up at the new Chicago B&O store, I'd greatly appreciate hearing an engineer's opinion of how this set-up compares sound-wise to your DAC / BC2 set-up. I haven't been to the new Chicago store, but the Oak Street store and it's employees were good friends (I miss them).

Mark

Re: BeoLab 3's and Mac tower

linder — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 10:24:40 GMT

BeoNut1:
Bill,
How would I split the audio out of the HDMI to port it through the AV3 inputs on the BV8 if this is the case (i.e. if the BV8's DAC only works on audio sources from AV3)?
Mark

Well Mark I am not exactly sure because I don't have a BV8. You may need RCA cables coming from the DAC. I will be at the new Chicago store next week and check it out.

In my setup, the toslink optical goes from the Apple TV to the DAC and then 2 RCA type cables go to the Aux port on my Beocenter 2. When I play music through iTunes, I select Aux on the BC2.

However without the DAC, your system will sound very good just using the HDMI and selecting the Beolab speakers when playing music. The best sound from iTunes is alway when ripping at the lossless rate because the playback will have the same sound as a CD. I purchased an ethernet hard drive which I have connected to an Airport Extreme to store all my iTunes music. If you have the new Airport extreme and Apple TV, you get faster data rates due to the 802.11n protocol. As you can see, I am really into Apple stuff.

I guess you have a lot of ideas from this thread and the other thread. Everybody has just about the same ideas coming from different viewpoints. Often the simplest idea works the best. That is BV8, Bl3s, and Apple TV HDMI.

Regards,

Bill

Re: BeoLab 3's and Mac tower

BeoNut1 — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 22:48:29 GMT

Bill,

How would I split the audio out of the HDMI to port it through the AV3 inputs on the BV8 if this is the case (i.e. if the BV8's DAC only works on audio sources from AV3)?

Mark

Re: BeoLab 3's and Mac tower

linder — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:42:47 GMT

BeoNut1:
Do you think that the DAC and the other components you alluded to would make that much of a difference in terms of sound quality in my Apple TV / HDMI / BV8 / Powerlink / BL3 set-up? I'd like to fully utilize the sound quality of the BL3 and the lossless audio, I just don't want a bunch of expensive, antiquated equipment and cables.

Mark,

The tricky bit is the DAC which is usually analog out. I read the directions for BV8 and it looks like you can use AV3 for the DAC with the video being HDMI. I don't have a BV8 so I am not exactly sure about the setup. Maybe soundproof and others have some ideas. I purchased a 32" Toshiba LCD TV about a year ago as a temporary TV. There was no B&O TV at the time that I wanted to spend the big money on. Anyway my Apple TV is connected to the Toshiba by HDMI but the DAC is connected to the aux port of a BC2. When I want to watch or listen to Apple TV, I turn on the BC2 and mute the TV sound. I know it is a two remote solution but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Maybe there is someone out there with a BV8, Apple TV, and a DAC already in use. Otherwise you have a cool system and can consider a DAC later time.

Re: BeoLab 3's and Mac tower

BeoNut1 — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 15:54:21 GMT

Bill,

Thank you for your kind words as well as the input you've offered regarding this concept here and elsewhere.

I'm at a point in my life where I value simplicity. Also, I love Apple computers and I love B&O hardware. I've tried to fashion a system that takes simplicity in to account and that is a wise investment in terms of equipment I can utilize in the future. With so many things in flux right now in the AV world and the advent of digital media, this isn't easy to do. B&O's reluctance to embrace new technologies and their insistance on trying to design software doesn't help either (IMHO).

In designing the "poor man's stereo", the Dave Moulton speakers were a "no-brainer", but I've found it hard to want a receiver, Beosound 5, Beocenter 2, etc. when my computers and some incredibly eloquent software can do the "heavy lifting" better (again, IMHO).

If the BV8 will do as I want, then I'll consider it a sound investment, too, despite it's lack of modern inputs.

Do you think that the DAC and the other components you alluded to would make that much of a difference in terms of sound quality in my Apple TV / HDMI / BV8 / Powerlink / BL3 set-up? I'd like to fully utilize the sound quality of the BL3 and the lossless audio, I just don't want a bunch of expensive, antiquated equipment and cables.

Mark

Re: BeoLab 3's and Mac tower

linder — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 15:12:20 GMT

Mark,

What I think you are proposing as a "poor man's stereo" is really a cool concept. The addition of DAC as I described improves the sound but does add some complexity.

I really like your idea of using Apple TV not only as a source for movies but also for music. I only wish Apple would redouble their efforts to put more movies into iTunes especially HD movies.

Bill

Re: BeoLab 3's and Mac tower

BeoNut1 — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 14:40:36 GMT

Bill,

Thank you so much for your insight.

"I think I can answer your question. I have an Apple TV take 2 connected by HDMI to a television. It is essentially just like a DVD player or any other source that is connected by HDMI. Alex is correct. The sound is lossless when streaming from iTunes. However when you play audio or video that is already on the Apple TV, it is at line level through the HDMI just like a DVD player. In either case, you will get sound through any speakers that are connect to your TV.

Are you planning on using Apple TV as a music source from iTunes also? If yes that will work also and will sound the same again as a DVD or CD player. You will also get album art and photos on the screen."

So, my concept of a "poor man's stereo" using the Apple TV via HDMI to the BV8 which is in turn connected to BL3s is actually a sound concept? If so, yahoo!

"I also have a DAC connected to the Toslink optical connection on the Apple TV. The output from the DAC goes to a Beocenter 2 AUX connector. The sound is terrific and is the best when you rip CDs into iTunes using lossless in the preferences.

Bill"

Would my proposed set-up be as good sound-wise as your Toslink to DAC to BC2?

Mark

Re: BeoLab 3's and Mac tower

Alex — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 13:35:49 GMT

BeoNut1:
Alex,
Thank you for replying to my question.
So, even if I go HDMI out from the Apple TV to a BV8 and then have BL3s connected via the PL output on the BV8, I'd still be subject to Apple TV's DAC and it's poor quality? I ask as it would seem that music in the Apple lossless format would be flowing digitally right to the BL3s, but maybe the BL3s don't have a digital to analog convertor that's inherent to them and this is required somewhere in the set up.
My goal is to try and avoid a BS3 or other "receiver" like device with this particular AV set up.
Mark

Actually, I hadn't thought about that! If you connected via HDMI then you would indeed be bypassing the DAC in the Apple TV and using the one in the BeoVision 8 instead.

Re: BeoLab 3's and Mac tower

linder — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:55:28 GMT

Dave Moulton:
Another excellent DAC is the Stereo-Link

http://www.stereo-link.com/cart/home.php

We've worked with the designer, Ron Genereaux, and recommend him and his products highly.

I hope this may be of help.

Best regards,

This is indeed an excellent DAC but I think it is for a USB connection. The USB connection on an Apple TV is not for audio. According to the directions the USB connection is for service and maintenance.

Bill

Re: BeoLab 3's and Mac tower

Craig — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:46:00 GMT

Dave Moulton:
Another excellent DAC is the Stereo-Link

http://www.stereo-link.com/cart/home.php

We've worked with the designer, Ron Genereaux, and recommend him and his products highly.

I hope this may be of help.

Best regards,

Well I don't think you can get a better recommendation than.

Craig

Re: BeoLab 3's and Mac tower

linder — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:45:40 GMT

BeoNut1:
Soundproof,
Sorry to be hitting you with questions in two threads, but thank you for the clarification and for all your insight. I sure hope that the BV8 can do good audio out from an HDMI source otherwise my idea behind designing this all digital media AV set up without a receiver is flawed.
Anybody else with insight as to how the BV8 processes audio coming in via the HDMI port and whether or not it can output well via the PL link?

Mark,

I think I can answer your question. I have an Apple TV take 2 connected by HDMI to a television. It is essentially just like a DVD player or any other source that is connected by HDMI. Alex is correct. The sound is lossless when streaming from iTunes. However when you play audio or video that is already on the Apple TV, it is at line level through the HDMI just like a DVD player. In either case, you will get sound through any speakers that are connect to your TV.

I also have a DAC connected to the Toslink optical connection on the Apple TV. The output from the DAC goes to a Beocenter 2 AUX connector. The sound is terrific and is the best when you rip CDs into iTunes using lossless in the preferences.

Bill

Re: BeoLab 3's and Mac tower

Dave Moulton — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 11:40:59 GMT

Another excellent DAC is the Stereo-Link

http://www.stereo-link.com/cart/home.php

We've worked with the designer, Ron Genereaux, and recommend him and his products highly.

I hope this may be of help.

Best regards,

Re: BeoLab 3's and Mac tower

soundproof — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:57:27 GMT

Puncher recommended this above, and it looks very good. USB from MAC to the unit, and then you just take the analog signal from it to your BeoLab speakers, and the unit provides you with a volume control.

http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?category=610&subcategory=611&product=15186

Re: BeoLab 3's and Mac tower

darioazul — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:51:46 GMT

Would you please go into more detail on connecting an external soundcard to mac computer?

Dario

Re: BeoLab 3's and Mac tower

Puncher — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 08:39:55 GMT

BeoNut1:

Puncher,
I realize that the BL3s don't have a digital input with onboard DAC, but what are your thoughts on my proposed AV set up (i.e. the HDMI from the Apple TV coming in to the BV8 and going out to the BL3s via PL connectors)?
TIA,
Mark

Sorry Mark but I'm going to have to stand down on this one - I don't know enough about the decoder/DAC in the Apple TV to give an informed opinion. On the other hand I would certainly give it a listen first before spending any more money on extra .hardware. As always your own ears are the best judge.