Just wanted to say another great review! I have been collecting / restoring audio equipment for the past 10+ years and appreciate your approach. It's nice to see a channel that includes all - those who are just starting to to those of us that have been for years without being judgemental. Keep up the great work - It's nice to see different types of products like this being added!
Sorry that happened. For me, this would be a reason to send it back and reclaim my money. After all, it's AUDIO equipment - it's purpose is to make AUDIO sound good, with the added benefit of visually displaying what's going on. If it can't properly serve it's primary function (switching between four audio sources - without messing them up), it's not worth my money.
At first, I was going to suggest that you had a bad unit, but the explanation at the end makes sense. I have a similar model from the same brand, but it just has speaker ends and outs and it works fine.
I think you got a defective unit and should return it. I’ve been using the Douk Audio VU3, which switches between two amps and two speakers. It works perfectly with no distortion. The VU meters help me to set the same volume levels when comparing speakers or amps and are fun to watch.
Interesting. I have a similar situation to you where I have multiple Amps and one set of speakers. I made a switch to switch between the 2 Amps which includes L,R and Subwoofer output. My DIY switch uses a set of 8 relays controlled by an ESP32 MCU. To switch inputs I can do it from a Web UI on my computer or through an IOS application I've been developing. Since the relays are galvanically isolated there isn't really any loss (that I can hear anyway). I'd like to integrate a VU meter however it will be tough to do without injecting into the signal path.
So sorry to see that your new 'toy' didn't work as expected, but it's made in China, so I wouldn't expect too much. I really like your videos. Happy new year!
Yoooo I just bought a Fisher portable record player from the 60s! Just couldn't pass this one up! Bought it from ebay so I don't know what needs to be fixed on it.
Enjoyed the change from turntables .. there's lots of chfi to look at .. Also I had seen these myself and was curious ..not so much now 😂 ! See you on the next one .. cognac🇫🇷
Bummer that thing did not work out as you intended. Gotta admit the VU meters are pretty cool. Still using my trusty ol Marantz pre-amp/processor, although it is considerably more expensive than that VU meter/switcher thing you were trying out. I could display VU meters on my Eversolo DMP-A6 unit. I could also display a spectrum analyzer, which from a visual point of view, looks so much cooler than VU meters.
alright new input I currently use a mechanical switch its a pain to replace with all the wiring to move eeek but I do use the douk vu meter I found it on ebay for 30.00 it works fine and like yours it is backlit and works like a real vu meter which I grew up with I love mine and will probably get another one for my other amp I like the amber lite to this one is cool and it does look old fashioned this was a nice surprise to see this I like surprise reviews this was fantastic JRo
So, being a "switcher" as well as VU's I don't know how Douk has it wired internally not having a unit to open but, your audio isn't supposed to be passed thru the VU's. They just get a parallel signal as to not interfere. If this were a standalone "pro" VU meter or meter bridge, it wouldn't have outputs, only inputs. I wonder if Douk is passing the signal thru. And yeah, the ACG in the manual is a typo. It's labeled correctly AGC on the unit.
I initially was thinking that could replace my pedestal of my bose cd-3000. Suppose not. I like having my cassette deck, record player and computer connected to the bose.
That is a shame that there is a design flaw on that Douk Audio meter. It sounds like an impedance missmatch. Most likely the loading resistors are if the wrong value. It probably is a simple fix to look up what the values should be and change them. However, I understand the principle behind it that this piece has a design flaw and Douk is charging close to $200 for this. That price alone is pretty high for a switcher / visualizer. Further, it should affect the audio signal, especially at that price. I think what I would do is build my own using one of those driver board / meter kits. They are 1/4 the price of the Douk unit and adding line switching should be pretty easy.
I wonder if your input level is too high and you are overloading perhaps the input stage. In microphone mode, I noticed the VU meters were swingiing well above 0 dB. Try lowering the input level and see if that helps.
so, newerish sub here, as an 80's kid I loved, loved the old school rack systems with the eq and spectrum analyzer. I love the dancing lights. Idc what anyone says. I have a 20 yr old yamaha 5.1 receiver with no preouts . I have been searching for a yamaha spec eq on ebay and man are they still bringing high dollar. but how would you suggest I hook one up?
BTW Does this thing colors the sound in any way? Otherwise this is a great component! I already want one with blue lights to match my Marantz. Thank you for the video! EDIT: very sad that there's a distortion, it's a deal breaker for me, but why do you need your 4 audio sources on at the same time? I mean, it is normal to be hooked up at the same time, but not working at the same time, right? I have a Turntable, CD player, Cassette player and Bluetooth player and listen to one of them at a time, not 4 simultaneously. Is it only when the 4 sources are on?
Question: I'm looking for a Vu meter and this was my leading contender until your comments about loss of dynamic range and distortion. But, my question is that I want to SOLELY for my Subwoofer that handles 25 Hz to 150 Hz. Your comments on dynamic range and distortion were general, presumably throughout the mid and upper ranges, and I am wondering if you noticed the loss and distortion in THESE bass frequencies? Any comments on this?
Well that's a damn shame. I was considering replacing my old RCA switching device for the same reason. Unless they can make it right for you I'll have to pass.
Less than $200.00 (I looked on Amazon for a similar item. Looks like $189.00). Well, for a cool VU meter costing that much money, I'll have to pass. I bought a Rockville 21 band EQ with blue flashing lights and a fake VU meters. Stopped working after two months. I guess "Once burned, twice shy" is the moral of the story.
Sad something so basic can be screwed up. Ordinary diodes can do switching and i used to use a chip called a 4066 and fet transistors. A tech could build a good circuit in your case. Old school switches are expensive to make today.
Yes, that would work, because the signal is Line level at that point… However, volume changes would not impact it because it would be reading the line level voltage, which does not change
Just wanted to say another great review! I have been collecting / restoring audio equipment for the past 10+ years and appreciate your approach. It's nice to see a channel that includes all - those who are just starting to to those of us that have been for years without being judgemental.
Keep up the great work - It's nice to see different types of products like this being added!
Thank you Randy!
Sorry that happened. For me, this would be a reason to send it back and reclaim my money. After all, it's AUDIO equipment - it's purpose is to make AUDIO sound good, with the added benefit of visually displaying what's going on. If it can't properly serve it's primary function (switching between four audio sources - without messing them up), it's not worth my money.
i was about to buy it :( thaaank you so much for taking the time! you save us a little money right there
At first, I was going to suggest that you had a bad unit, but the explanation at the end makes sense. I have a similar model from the same brand, but it just has speaker ends and outs and it works fine.
I think you got a defective unit and should return it. I’ve been using the Douk Audio VU3, which switches between two amps and two speakers. It works perfectly with no distortion. The VU meters help me to set the same volume levels when comparing speakers or amps and are fun to watch.
These are different devices. Yours has high level input and outputs, this device has line leven i/o. Promblem starts here...
It’s Awesome for what I want to use it for. I got it Just to use as a VU meter. I got the Blue backlit version
I wouldn't mind having that to go along with my vintage - or even current - audio equipment.
Interesting. I have a similar situation to you where I have multiple Amps and one set of speakers. I made a switch to switch between the 2 Amps which includes L,R and Subwoofer output. My DIY switch uses a set of 8 relays controlled by an ESP32 MCU. To switch inputs I can do it from a Web UI on my computer or through an IOS application I've been developing. Since the relays are galvanically isolated there isn't really any loss (that I can hear anyway). I'd like to integrate a VU meter however it will be tough to do without injecting into the signal path.
So sorry to see that your new 'toy' didn't work as expected, but it's made in China, so I wouldn't expect too much. I really like your videos. Happy new year!
Happy New Year!
Yoooo I just bought a Fisher portable record player from the 60s! Just couldn't pass this one up! Bought it from ebay so I don't know what needs to be fixed on it.
Enjoyed the change from turntables .. there's lots of chfi to look at ..
Also I had seen these myself and was curious ..not so much now 😂 !
See you on the next one .. cognac🇫🇷
Bummer that thing did not work out as you intended. Gotta admit the VU meters are pretty cool. Still using my trusty ol Marantz pre-amp/processor, although it is considerably more expensive than that VU meter/switcher thing you were trying out. I could display VU meters on my Eversolo DMP-A6 unit. I could also display a spectrum analyzer, which from a visual point of view, looks so much cooler than VU meters.
alright new input I currently use a mechanical switch its a pain to replace with all the wiring to move eeek but I do use the douk vu meter I found it on ebay for 30.00 it works fine and like yours it is backlit and works like a real vu meter which I grew up with I love mine and will probably get another one for my other amp I like the amber lite to this one is cool and it does look old fashioned this was a nice surprise to see this I like surprise reviews this was fantastic JRo
So, being a "switcher" as well as VU's I don't know how Douk has it wired internally not having a unit to open but, your audio isn't supposed to be passed thru the VU's. They just get a parallel signal as to not interfere. If this were a standalone "pro" VU meter or meter bridge, it wouldn't have outputs, only inputs. I wonder if Douk is passing the signal thru. And yeah, the ACG in the manual is a typo. It's labeled correctly AGC on the unit.
I initially was thinking that could replace my pedestal of my bose cd-3000. Suppose not. I like having my cassette deck, record player and computer connected to the bose.
You should review an audio mixer! I use a mackie 16 channel in my main setup.
That is a shame that there is a design flaw on that Douk Audio meter. It sounds like an impedance missmatch. Most likely the loading resistors are if the wrong value. It probably is a simple fix to look up what the values should be and change them. However, I understand the principle behind it that this piece has a design flaw and Douk is charging close to $200 for this. That price alone is pretty high for a switcher / visualizer. Further, it should affect the audio signal, especially at that price. I think what I would do is build my own using one of those driver board / meter kits. They are 1/4 the price of the Douk unit and adding line switching should be pretty easy.
I wonder if your input level is too high and you are overloading perhaps the input stage. In microphone mode, I noticed the VU meters were swingiing well above 0 dB. Try lowering the input level and see if that helps.
Rad item !! 😎👍
Very cool Vumeter
Wonder if an audio grade USB power supply such as from IFI would help the sound quality.
so, newerish sub here, as an 80's kid I loved, loved the old school rack systems with the eq and spectrum analyzer. I love the dancing lights. Idc what anyone says. I have a 20 yr old yamaha 5.1 receiver with no preouts . I have been searching for a yamaha spec eq on ebay and man are they still bringing high dollar. but how would you suggest I hook one up?
THIS! Still trying to answer this question myself.
Such a let down that you have to compromise audio quality in order to use it. Still looks sick tho
BTW Does this thing colors the sound in any way? Otherwise this is a great component! I already want one with blue lights to match my Marantz. Thank you for the video!
EDIT: very sad that there's a distortion, it's a deal breaker for me, but why do you need your 4 audio sources on at the same time? I mean, it is normal to be hooked up at the same time, but not working at the same time, right? I have a Turntable, CD player, Cassette player and Bluetooth player and listen to one of them at a time, not 4 simultaneously. Is it only when the 4 sources are on?
I purchased 2 of the One little Bear and the light went out on each of them on each side with 1 light remaining on. I don't buy them any more.
Question: I'm looking for a Vu meter and this was my leading contender until your comments about loss of dynamic range and distortion. But, my question is that I want to SOLELY for my Subwoofer that handles 25 Hz to 150 Hz. Your comments on dynamic range and distortion were general, presumably throughout the mid and upper ranges, and I am wondering if you noticed the loss and distortion in THESE bass frequencies? Any comments on this?
If I remember right, all frequencies were comprised.
Is this OK to use just for the VU meters on its own
Well that's a damn shame. I was considering replacing my old RCA switching device for the same reason. Unless they can make it right for you I'll have to pass.
If they had used relay switching, then total isolation would have resulted.
does this allow for playing back on 4 outputs at once, if doing 1 in 4 out?
Less than $200.00 (I looked on Amazon for a similar item. Looks like $189.00). Well, for a cool VU meter costing that much money, I'll have to pass. I bought a Rockville 21 band EQ with blue flashing lights and a fake VU meters. Stopped working after two months. I guess "Once burned, twice shy" is the moral of the story.
Sad something so basic can be screwed up. Ordinary diodes can do switching and i used to use a chip called a 4066 and fet transistors. A tech could build a good circuit in your case. Old school switches are expensive to make today.
Can this be put between a preamp and an amp and have the meters react more as the volume is increased like an old vintage reciever?
Yes, that would work, because the signal is Line level at that point… However, volume changes would not impact it because it would be reading the line level voltage, which does not change
@@Recordology But the volume knob is on the preamp, not the amp. It wouldn't react?
Bummer!!
thx for saving me time .... yea wtf if it adds NOISE!!!
No THX!!!
SOUND WINS OVER LOOKS .
EnjoyFi
Well, that stinks 😢 at least it looks cool!
Hi Mr RO it’s made in China that says it all !!
So are iPhones and most electronics. Quality things can be made in China but Douk is not a company that cares about quality.