Now that we have explored the Beolink Converter 1611, and found some very useful 'new' functionality, I'd like to have a more in depth look at the Beolink Active 1636 - the later model with the PC input. The PC input was introduced to add a 'local source' (such as a computer) to ML linkrooms. This source can be selected using PC, and cannot be distributed over the rest of the ML system. Use of the PC input requires a 'special' connector that will send L, R and Gnd audio to pins 2, 4 and 7 respectively (rather than the more typical 5, 3, and 1). I have made a cable and tested this recently. As far as I know it is not possible to use the BL Active 'stand-alone' - with no ML connected. I have tested such a setup (with the BL Active in L.OPT 6) and there is no response to the PC input. Searching the old forum I found a post by Vienna that gives the pin configuration of the PC input as follows: "PC-Socket" on BeoLink Active 1636 - pin configuration - (Source: BeoWise) 1. SL-config 2. LEFT IN 3. Left out 4. RIGHT IN 5. Right out 6. Data - 7. GROUND / SHIELD 8. Data + So my first question before I start experimenting: Does anyone know what pins 1, 6 and 8 are for? I will have a look at pins 3 and 5 but suspect that they are either a line or PL-level output using pin 7 as ground (rather than pin 2 gnd in a normal PL output socket). I will check if they output just the local source or just the ML source, or both (or none!) A service manual for the 1636 version would be useful (we only have the earlier 1616/1618 version on the site, with two PL sockets). I will report back here with any findings.

Further to the above, it would seem that the PC input was designed to be used with BeoLink PC Office (not the later Beolink PC2 or Beoport). I would think that the extra pins in the PC socket actually gave this Beolink PC Office all the functionality of being connected to ML (and PL), without being connected to ML (or PL)! Clearly none of this was needed when the Beolink PC2 was introduced with its own ML/PL sockets. EDIT: This from the Beolink PC Office User Manual - it's the box nearest the computer: Login to view image

I'm reading carefully. Looks like we're gonna write the next B&O related book: "B&O black boxes mysteries revealed".  :-)