Beosound Essence, Core, or Playmaker - options?

CharlieWednesday

Gold

670 posts

Posted June 2, 2024 at 13:39 GMT

I've been looking on eBay for items mentioned in the subject and they all do come up quite cheap sometimes, but I am not clear on what they all do. I can see in my B&O app (which I alraedy use for my earphones and headphones) that they all appear as devices you can add to the app and therefore control them, but of course I know some are knocking on a bit and I guess support will be limited. I want to connect one of these to my Beocenter 8500, and I know Sounds Heavenly sell a cable that would allow me to connect any of these to the Aux input, so I'm okay there, but I don't know which one to choose.

Beosound Core: More recent than the Essence or Playmaker so probably has the best support. I notice it also appears to have a digital input which the others lack.
Beosound Essence: Older and does not seem to have a digital input (but does have analog), this has the benefit of the cool circular controller, but as I use Android rather than Apple devices I'm not sure how useful this would be for, say, Spotify from my mobile or tablet?
Playmaker: I can't find much info about this online but it seems to be a simpler variant of the above, with no controller. It's quite cheap looking for B&O?
Beoconnect Core: Out of my price range.
Beosound Moment: Stunning, but I'm not sure I want to spend that much. Also I think by Beo4 would be trying to control both this AND my Beocenter when I hit buttons recognised by both, such as 'Radio'.

The Essence is the stand-out for me because I can imagine exactly where on my wall that round controller would go, but would it do what I need it to do? I would want to play B&O radio from the B&O app, and also Spotify, and also potentially play from a music server, all while connected to the Aux input of my lovely Beocenter 8500 - can it do all that?

Location: Liverpool

My B&O Icons:

Old enough to have gazed at classic B&O HiFi in Plumbs shop windows in the 80s...

MA

Madskp

Gold

1759 posts

Posted June 2, 2024 at 14:27 GMT

#709955

Depending on what your needs are you could also consider Pilatomics Beotooth 5500 project which is a bluetooth receiver that can be controlled with the B&O remote via datalink and also can start the system when something is played to it

Location: Denmark

CharlieWednesday

Gold

670 posts

Posted June 2, 2024 at 14:53 GMT

#709956

My understanding was that I would not require any converters; I don't need to control the Core or Essence from my existing equipment, all I want to do is be able to connect it to my Beocenter. I'l contol the Core or Essence via the B&O app on my phone. My understanding them is that all I need is the cable from Sounds Heavenly, which is explained in this Youtube -

Location: Liverpool

My B&O Icons:

Old enough to have gazed at classic B&O HiFi in Plumbs shop windows in the 80s...

Millemis

Bronze

1330 posts

Posted June 2, 2024 at 15:15 GMT ? Edited June 2, 2024 at 15:17 GMT

#709957

Yes, the cable from Steve is the right one - just ask him directly, if you are in doubt. For the things you want to achieve, you can use the BS Core as well as the Essence MK2. They both support B&O Radio and Spotify Connect. As for the built-in DLNA player ("potentially play from a music server" ), it is rather basic, but can be used. Most people, who rely heavily on playing local stored files, tend to use another app for that - these apps will see the Core/Essence MK2 as the taget device. Since you are connecting the device to the Aux of the BC 8500, this will do the volume regulation with the Beo4. You won't need - or benefit from - the Essence Remote (which was an add-on anyway). The Core/theEssence MK2 has an option for setting the output to a fixed line-level. You do not have to worry about volume control there.....all is done with the Beo4 like with the other sources of the 8500. It is pretty simple! I have done that earlier on for many years. MM

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

CharlieWednesday

Gold

670 posts

Posted June 2, 2024 at 15:24 GMT

#709958

Thank you. I had seen an Essence Mk1 (including the rotary remote) quite cheap, but it looks like a Mk2 would be better, and as you say the remote wouldn't be much use (other than looking very cool on the wall). That's pretty much made my decision then - I'll get a Core. Thanks!

Location: Liverpool

My B&O Icons:

Old enough to have gazed at classic B&O HiFi in Plumbs shop windows in the 80s...

MA

Madskp

Gold

1759 posts

Posted June 2, 2024 at 17:44 GMT

#709964

Location: Denmark

DT

DT79

Bronze

103 posts

Posted June 2, 2024 at 18:49 GMT

#709967

The essence mk2 lacks chrome cast support in comparison to the Core if I’m not mistaken, is that right?

Millemis

Bronze

1330 posts

Posted June 2, 2024 at 19:24 GMT ? Edited June 2, 2024 at 19:24 GMT

#709968

Login to view image

MM

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

CharlieWednesday

Gold

670 posts

Posted June 2, 2024 at 19:31 GMT ? Edited June 2, 2024 at 19:34 GMT

#709969

Digital radio solutions for B&O These various devices offer compatibility with older and newer B&O kit, and can add DAB+ with Bluetooth controllable with your B&O remote, and other models that also offer internet radio. The basic one with the correct connections to my Beocenter 8500 works out at about out £250. They also have some other handy looking B&O compatible stuff, such as a phono stage that allows Beolink commands to work through it. Wish they had a UK dealer though.
Location: Liverpool
My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png
Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovox.png
Beovision-11.png
Beotime.png
Beosound.png
Beosound-Moment.png
Beosound-9000.png
Beosound-5.png
Beosound-4.png
Beoremote-One.png
Beoplay-Portal.png
Beoplay-EX.png
Beoplay-Earset.png
Beoplay-A2.png
Beogram-400x.png
Old enough to have gazed at classic B&O HiFi in Plumbs shop windows in the 80s...

CharlieWednesday

Gold

670 posts

Posted June 2, 2024 at 19:32 GMT

#709970

Location: Liverpool
My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png
Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovox.png
Beovision-11.png
Beotime.png
Beosound.png
Beosound-Moment.png
Beosound-9000.png
Beosound-5.png
Beosound-4.png
Beoremote-One.png
Beoplay-Portal.png
Beoplay-EX.png
Beoplay-Earset.png
Beoplay-A2.png
Beogram-400x.png
Old enough to have gazed at classic B&O HiFi in Plumbs shop windows in the 80s...

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