@ the last several posts...

The great conundrum of owning this system!

Classically speaking, I would go with the BL on top, but...

1.) Even under moderate use, I get just about -zero- heat venting from the top of the BL.

2.) I agree that the BM appears to be designed to aid in exhausting the vents on the top of the BL.

3.) I also agree that the left panel seems to be where ALL the heat is transferred (the 2200's are butted up against the sides, but look at my VOLUME control).

4.) Good point about dust collection!

5.) I think it looks better with the BL on bottom.

6.) Drumroll... I have "crush" damage to the vent area on the BL (to be fixed) So... BM on top!

Ultimately, I may try "side by side" as well!

Grrrr. CX50s are not cutting it as this amp is making my Airport Express sound good. Think I need some bigger speakers (and a bigger flat)!

Same on mine. The left hand side gets slightly warm to the touch. I also stack mine with the amp at the bottom. Some original pictures seem to have the amp on top and some show it with the amp on the bottom even in  B&O pictures so maybe they diodnt know which way to stack it either

No, you'd need CX100's and a Cona subwoofer to do it any sort of justice, and they just don't move enough air.

If you are stuck for space then you'd probably need to consider wall mounted speakers, RL140, or the Beovox 5000 panels. Pentas don't take up much ground space.

Have you seen the size of the current room they're in Dave?

I have Pentas and also have a Cona, but they're used together at the moment in my large living space with the bad boy BM8000 :)

I am taken with the idea of BV5000 panels though one day in a larger room, but they seem as hard to find as the bloody Beolab/Beomaster 5000 was in the first place!!!

P45s are very nice as well - similar in sound to the S45-2 but slim and wall mounted. Slightly bass light, like their brother, but beautiful detail. 

I think one should stack them as you wish, but did see the quite full plastic bag of components Frede had replaced when he refurbished my units. They dry out over time, and particularly from exposure to heat. Worth remembering these are over 40 years old (!), it's probably a good precaution to maintain as nice an operating temperature as possible. I also don't switch them off and on several times during a day - on in the morning and off at night, to avoid that the interior has to expand and contract more often than necessary.

I agree with what you say.

Like I said... Classically, I would put the BL on top. I also think logic dictates it as you stated.

We had a full thread about stacking, a year or so ago.
I maintain that the amp on top makes most sense, as it gives easier access to the numerous connections and rheostats.
However, if space allows, side by side sounds pretty dammned good. I think Peter and Soundproof have it this way.

I know this is probably sacrilege, but could you run active speakers with the BL5000 through attenuated cables?

Mainly these ones:

http://soundsheavenly.co.uk/bando-attenuated.htm

macjonny1:

I know this is probably sacrilege, but could you run active speakers with the BL5000 through attenuated cables?

Yes, but no.

DOUBLE POST... 

Might as well make the most of it! 

macjonny1:

I know this is probably sacrilege, but could you run active speakers with the BL5000 through attenuated cables?

It would be utterly, utterly pointless. What would one of the finest ever B&O amps be doing in this scenario?

Yes I know it was just for curiosity....not anything I would do.

One other question...could you run Bose speakers?   KIDDING!

How often do Beovox 5000s turn up for sale, and are there any issues that occur that should put off a prospective buyer (foam rot, etc.)? I am quire inspired by Gustavo's photos of his home :)

Beovox 2500s seem to be out of reach purely because they look great and are so collectable - not that I expect many pairs are actually plugged in to either Beovox 5000s or 3000s :(

Mine are!

It cuts out the tweeters on the big speakers when you plug the cubes in.
Don't think there are issues with foam rot, just the sheer size of them.  Often the chrome legs are missing, and almost always the gold B&O logo.