Beolab 50 and Beoconnect Core USB or PowerLink

6 replies
Hi, I've recently purchased a Beolab 50 and Beoconnect Core as a streamer. In the Beoconnect Core manual it suggests using USB-C to USB-B to connect to the master for of the 50 (or 90) and then connect the master to the slave using DPL. However some sound control from the Beoconnect Core seems to be missing and the dealer says I could only get those control if I connect the Core to the 50 using Powerlink (analogue). I'm thinking that the USB-C to USB-B should be the better way signal wise as we get the digital signal straight to the 50 and let the 50's DAC do the job, as supposed to using the Core DAC and then tranmitting the signal via the analogue Powerlink, even if it means losing some control on the app. Which way would people recommend please? Thanks in advance!

Location: UK

My recollection of testing the BC-Core with the BL90s via USB was that you connect the USB (Audio) sockets together and run the BeoApp. The App "knew" that a BC-core and BL90 were connected together and ran a special sub-routine in the App. Once done, the BL90s were "owned" by the BC-Core. (I imagine the in-built Core calibrations etc...are bypassed for the BL90 Calibrations which will be superior) I imagine the BL50 will be very similar to the BL90 in that process?   p.s. The Core via USB to the BL90s sounded pretty good. (comparing to my full-fat Auralic G2 streaming system). My recommendation is not to connect analogue powerlink. It will sound several order of magnitude poorer quality. Run the compare and contrast yourself and see!
What sound controls are you missing? I have this set up with USB connection and am not seeing any missing?
In the technical sound guide I believe it says that most control is transferred to the 90s/50s when using USB connection, including sound mode etc. So you may get better audio quality, but you’ll be missing sound mode settings and maybe volume control(?) from the Core. When using PL you get full control from the Core, at a (probably very slight) downgrade in audio quality

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