THE SECRET HIFI HACK I USE IN EVERY STEREO SYSTEM! (and it’s cheap)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 พ.ค. 2024
- I will never build a HiFi system without the Douk Audio VU3 “ONE Little Bear”! Here’s why…
Speaker & Amp Switch DOUK VU3 Get it here…
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What's your HIFI HACK? Let me know in the comments...
As little unnecessary junk ( like this ) in the signal path as possible.
It's a great unit for comparing a combination of 2 amps X 2 speakers... The important thing is it presents a LOAD to the tube amp when it is not selected. CRITICAL for tube amps that always require a load when powered on....
As in, it's safe to use with tube amps? Was always curious to use one but hesitant because of risk.
I’ve used it with the new Luxman tube app, that being said it may or may not work well with vintage tube amps
Do you know why this is?
@@barrybrennan2135 I've used mine for a couple of years. My tube amp always REQUIRE a load presented to it when powered on and this unit does that even if the other amp is selected.
@@ptg01 Thanks, I think I'll pick one up!
I've been A/B testing a lot lately and switching boxes like these are priceless for doing that. I've got an optical splitter so I can run one source into multiple dacs, then the rca of the dac into a rca switcher running to a single amplifier to easily compare dacs. I can also run this through a speaker switcher to compare speakers or amplifiers. The combo options are ends but the easiest way to compare everything.
These devices use relay switching to route the signals. The Designer has selected a low-cost power relay. These parts have silver alloy contacts and are rated at only 5A. Switching between speaker pairs with a current flow to the speaker load might result in arcing at the contacts and permanent damage. Thus, it would be wise to avoid selecting the speaker output whilst playing music. Furthermore, contact ageing will degrade the audio performance due to oxidisation of the surface material. Save your money and buy better quality speaker cables or interconnects!
I love this little box. I use one in my desktop setup. On the amp side I use it to switch between a tube and a SS amp. On the speaker side I switch between speakers and headphones. You can only use balanced connected headphones and you’ll want to keep an eye on that volume control but it’s worked a treat for over a year now. Running headphones from the speaker outputs of an amp can sound freaking fantastic. My lil 8 watt tube amp driving the T60 Argons from Modhouse is one of my favorite music delivery devices. Even with headphones I have heard no added noise or noticed the sound being altered in any way.
Alway a good option to add to a signal path. Thanks for sharing this with us all. A HiFi 'hack' I use is joining my surround speaker negative posts together while driving each speaker with their respective positive channels with no amp negative channel connection to the speakers. 'Hafler' circuit(?).
Always need things in the signal path
that thing actually looks like it would be useful for me, since I'd love to be able to test other speakers without unwiring my mains or setting up another amp to test things.
Douk makes some neat stuff. I've been looking for a mini desktop amp, with usb and analog RCA inputs as well as a line out for a powered sub. The ST-01 Pro Douk makes is looking really tempting.
I'm sure you have touched on this a Few Times!
But it Works!
Thank you for this!!
I own 1 each of these units and I like them. There big plus is the great convenience of "push-button" switching. Have to keep in mind that these units will work without the 5v, but no switching or meters. This should be a pass-thru with no signal effect from unit. I've noticed no noise or negative performance from either in the "unpowered" use, nor the normal 5v operation.
Nice little unit for switching things back and forth. Its definitely a pain to unhook and hook everything up. I was thinking the same thing about changing the sound through it.
My hack is to make the system as clean as possible…. Not to be a contrarian, but hooking up noiseboxes makes a HUGE difference in what you’re gonna hear from your system..
I think those amp/speaker selectors are useful to someone in retail, but not in a personal system.
I use it to A-B test different amps, then take it out of the circuit.
The VU2 is something I might have to look into. Great video!
Thanks Jim! Yeah they are all really good concepts.
Thanks fellas! I just bought the Douk VU3 of amazon last week to hook up and switch between my Kenwood KR-8050 / Pioneer RT-909 / Future Cassette deck and then my Intergra DTR-9.1 / Technics SL-1200 / Node 2i (roon) all between some Technics speakers. Had all the questions and concerns you addressed here, crazy that this popped up from yall today.
Have the Hifi Rose RS520 / Audiotechnica LP2022 both which I purchased from you guys, hooked into my Klipsch Forte III speakers upstairs.
GOAL: Advance Paris A12 / Hifi Rose 150b streamer / Yamaha SACD player or Tchincs (pricy) / Mofi Fender Turntable paired with the Kenwood KR-8050 / Pioneer RT-909 / Future Cassette deck all into the Klipsch Forte III speakers via VU3 downstairs. Then new speakers upstairs with current setup.
So I'll hook up the Douk soon and let you know what I think.
Keep the vids commin!!
That’s hilarious, what timing! Check it out in the link below 🤣
I haven't had VU meters in my system for 40 years, but they sure look cool. Thinking I could use this to try switching my music speakers (HPM-100's) for my Video front's (SVS prime satellites). Would need to re-run the speaker setup, but it would be interesting!
Yeah I would do it!
Got same exact one.
Great Commercial...
Nice! 👍🏽 I was wondering about the purpose of the VU2 and Y'all clarified it for me . . Thanks! 😁 Some observations about the VU3: When switched to my Fosi Audio DA-2120c integrated amp, the meters go up to about half way with NO audio signal output being sent by the Fosi! 😳 Switching the VU3 to my vintage receiver (Realistic STA-95) the meters return to the far left hash without any output signal. I believe the latter to be the assumed normal behavior for the VU3 . . . have you noticed this in your setups? 🙄 Fosi just came out with a similar meter package to the VU3 with an on\off switch. Any experience with the Fosi output meter device? Thanks Gentlemen . . . - E 😉
Glad I could help! No experience with that one but it’s the same company that makes both.
I am happy with mine 👍
Hello Captain Sub: Thank you for bringing this product to our attention. QUESTION = How many watts can you safely run through these meters ???? I have a separate 400 watts a channel amp. PLEASE ADVISE. Thank you in advance, your loyal subscriber and customer from N.J
Hmmmmm haven’t tested that, I run the sx-1980 through it, not that I’m cranking it to 11
I have 2 amps (receivers) and 2 sets of speakers but I also have a pair of subs. Will I lose the subs with this unit??
You will still have use of both subs but you won’t be able to switch them unless you add the vu2, at that point you could switch signal going to the subs that way, if it helps. Or just use it and manually switch subs
@@ThatGuyWithTheBeard I have the subs connected via (speaker B)out of the receiver to high level input on sub. Can I still use this connection?
i have the VU2 and it is noisy. also, when i would switch between the inputs, it would bleed (crosstalk) from the unselected channels if they had signal (maybe my unit is defective) so I figured, you get what you pay for. the meters were cool to have even though they are not accurate but the noise was a no-go for me. cool idea, but not for any critical listening gear IMO.
Great feedback! Thanks for sharing, so did u leave it in your system with output only going to it for the meters?
If you want to find out if this device is active or passive, unplug it. If it still plays music, its passive. If you just want meters and don't want it in the signal path, feed it a line level signal but don't connect it to anything else.
The specs for this say two different things for the power that it can handle. In one place it says 100w per channel and in another it says 300w (but doesnt specify if thats total or per channel). I wanted to use this with a pair of Fosi ZA3 amps (as monos) and two pairs of speakers, but even that blows the 100w per channel out of the water.
I’ve been using 270 watts (not that I’m cranking it) but normal listening volume and some loud has been fine
@@ThatGuyWithTheBeard 270 total? Or per channel? I believe my Fosi ZA3 setup is moving about 160w per channel.
Can you elaborate on why you say you cannot connect NAD amps to it?
It has to do with the way they build their grounds, I can’t remember off the top of my head but all their amps have warning on them when u buy them.
Yummy meters. Great video Lenny.
Thanks 👍
I have an idea hook up an oscilloscope to watch the signal to see if there's any interference from that box
If my ears don’t hear it I’m ok not knowing, but good idea nonetheless
Check out Amir at ASR. He reviewed this unit and gave it a thumbs down when measuring it.. I still love my unit as it just works and it sounds GREAT for my ears.
@@ptg01 He's a fraud. He deletes all of my posts because I prove it. ASR's only goal is to build his youtube channel in order to make more money. He does it by telling people what they want to hear.
If you want to see for yourself, go to his channel and try to find a single instance where he does something that would be considered real science, or even close to it. All you'll come up with is junk science.
Techmoan has entered the chat
I love my One Little Bear. ( Also my nickname for my 3 year old grand son) I just use it for the fun VU meters. I can't hear it. I have all my extras like the VU3 and my DAC plugged into my switched outlet. If I was Emperor of the world, my first decree would be that all new amplifiers would be required to have VU or watt meters. Omission would be punishable by massive wedgies.
Nice Mike! Haha you could just have him go back and switch everything for you 🤣🤣
@@ThatGuyWithTheBeard Like the TV channel when I was a kid! Ha!
This or the Fosi LC30?
They look about the same but the guys over at DOUK are cool so I recommend their brand.
Make sure to let people know that this will not work with a tube amp if the amp is powered on. It will probably kill the tube amp.
This is great info! Someone shared this early, I can say I use it all the time on Luxman integrated tube amp. So maybe just on separates?
I've used it with two tube amps with zero issues. And it has amazed me at the difference in sound between two (carefully level matched) amps.
Your studio lights are way to BRIGHT.. IMO that is.
Yeah they were in this one for sure
WHY THE HELLL ISNT THE THING FULL WITHE
If you want full width they have the 4 meter option for you!
Your video brings back memories of Crazy Eddie back in the 1980's. Here is some of his commercials. th-cam.com/video/Ml6S2yiuSWE/w-d-xo.html
Love Crazy Eddie’s, it’s what the personality is based off of! Thank you!
Typical youger gen carnival barker lol. He really gets into the meters, like spinning a aluminum ball on stick for a cat, he gets is memorized bt this.
I’m sorry but if I’m
Building a two channel system in my home, this a useless piece of junk that Radio Shack had many years ago… these guys are pushing a piece of junk under the notion that ‘you need it’ when it does introduce noise and by the way….those nice 400 speaker cables you use, do you have two pair of them? Two sets of the same type interface cables for your amps?? There is extra cost associated with a unit like this when setting it up. And really, these are the 3 top questions you get asked by your subscribers… I’ve never seen them asked in the comments section!!? This video sounds more like a commercial than anything. If you positioned this as “AB’ing Amps and Speakers on the Cheap?”….. but “need”….NO. And can your beards look more nasty and unkempt??
You must be fun at parties.