Douk VU3 VU Meter Review (Updated Version)

[solderdude]

It is just a sturdy switch and is probably better in contact pressure than your average power relay.

 

[KEFCarver]

Thank you, will likely go with this option. Has anyone tested this switcher though?

Yes- I tested it after purchasing it. No real effect on frequency response or THD. Not sure what the isolation was between paths/ports, but it works well

 

[lemongrass]

So, if you just want a vu meter (without any switching functionality), and it doesn't
have speaker-level inputs, would using a line-out converter (as often used in car stereo
systems) in parallel with the speakers be the best way to avoid distortion - rather than
just using the line-level outputs?

 

[solderdude]

Just split the input signal to the power amp. use a cheap low powe speaker amp to drive the swinging needles.
Just realize that the meters are just for the show.. just swinging needles

 

[dualazmak]

So, if you just want a vu meter (without any switching functionality), and it doesn't
have speaker-level inputs, would using a line-out converter (as often used in car stereo
systems) in parallel with the speakers be the best way to avoid distortion - rather than
just using the line-level outputs?

Yes, it is a practically useful and nice way especially if you (we) would like to monitor/correlate actual relative levels (i.e. tone balance) of air sound SPL given by multiple SP drivers directly and dedicatedly driven by multiple amplifiers; I completed my DIY of 12-VU-Meter Array based on this approach. If you would be interested please visit here post #535 on my project thread for the details. You can adjust the relative gain of such multiple VU meters by playing/listening to flat white noise (or pink noise).

How does the 12-VU-Meter Array behave during music listening?

Spoiler: Dancing video of my IEC 60268-17 compatible large glass-face DIY 12-VU-Meter Array

- Dancing video of my IEC 60268-17 compatible large glass-face DIY 12-VU-Meter Array
_____Part-1: with "High Frequency Linearity Check Track" of Sony Super Audio Check CD: #750
_____Part-2: with typical "Full Orchestra Music"-1: #751
_____Part-3: with typical "Full Orchestra Music"-2: #752
_____Part-4: with typical "Jazz Piano Trio Music": #753

By the way, in case if you would use VB-Audio Matrix as system-wide audio I/O routing center, the beautifully designed "peak meters" on VB-Matrix Routing Grid are also very nice for monitoring digital level gains in each of the I/O channels.

Spoiler: Peak Meters in VB-Audio Matrix Routing Grid

- VB-Audio MATRIX (VASIO64A setup) as system-wide ASIO and other audio I/O routing center: Replacement for ASIO4ALL and VB-Audio Virtual/HiFi Cables: Part-1 #851

- VB-Audio MATRIX (VASIO64A setup) as system-wide ASIO and other audio I/O routing center: Replacement for ASIO4ALL and VB-Audio Virtual/HiFi Cables: Part-2_Further optimization in conformity with present configuration of DSP "EKIO": #854

- VB-Audio MATRIX (VASIO64A setup) as system-wide ASIO and other audio I/O routing center: Replacement for ASIO4ALL and VB-Audio Virtual/HiFi Cables: Part-3_VB Matrix VAIO4 as Windows default audio playback device feeding into system-wide DSP Center "EKIO": #858

 

[lemongrass]

Yes, it is a practically useful and nice way especially if you (we) would like to monitor/correlate actual relative levels (i.e. tone balance) of air sound SPL given by multiple SP drivers directly and dedicatedly driven by multiple amplifiers; I completed my DIY of 12-VU-Meter Array based on this approach. If you would be interested please visit here post #535 on my project thread for the details. You can adjust the relative gain of such multiple VU meters by playing/listening to flat white noise (or pink noise).

How does the 12-VU-Meter Array behave during music listening?

Spoiler: Dancing video of my IEC 60268-17 compatible large glass-face DIY 12-VU-Meter Array

- Dancing video of my IEC 60268-17 compatible large glass-face DIY 12-VU-Meter Array
_____Part-1: with "High Frequency Linearity Check Track" of Sony Super Audio Check CD: #750
_____Part-2: with typical "Full Orchestra Music"-1: #751
_____Part-3: with typical "Full Orchestra Music"-2: #752
_____Part-4: with typical "Jazz Piano Trio Music": #753

Very nice! The Audio-Technica AT-HLC-130
appears to be just a high-quality standard car impedance converter, for anyone looking for
something similar, the PAC SNI35 is a good readily-available substitute, (though only
rated for 20-20khz) that has been tested with no distortion at up to 2v output.

 

[pseudoid]

Guys at this price we are getting eye candy only.

I think I got peer-pressured [ADD: By uze'awl] and bought two of these at $1.99 each.

I positioned them under my left/right PC speakers.
You called them 'eye-candy' but they border the 'eye-sore' territory, after about 5 minutes of pulsations!

 

[jdjung]

I think I got peer-pressured [ADD: By uze'awl] and bought two of these at $1.99 each.
View attachment 331531
I positioned them under my left/right PC speakers.
You called them 'eye-candy' but they border the 'eye-sore' territory, after about 5 minutes of pulsations!

Maybe flip them around and have them as reflective mood lighting behind your monitor?

 

[Daviede]

Thank you, will likely go with this option. Has anyone tested this switcher though?

Oh, that sounds pretty cool. I've been thinking about getting a speaker switcher to use with my JBL 308P Mkii and Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2. It seems like there's a new brand, NEOHIPO, that has a similar one called NEOHIPO ET30. It has more colorful lights, seems to have a smaller impact on the amplifier, and has a larger VU meter size (which I like). Has anyone given it a test run yet?
https://www.amazon.com/NEOHIPO-Ampl...=1700191600&refresh=1&s=merchant-items&sr=1-5
Douk AudioVU3
https://www.amazon.com/Amplifier-Speaker-Audio-Switcher-Display/dp/B096KLDMCV/ref=sr_1_4?crid=ZKRFFV4PDK7W&keywords=DUCK+AUDIO+VU2&qid=1693465620&sprefix=duck+audio+vu2,aps,422&sr= 8-4

 

[KEFCarver]

Oh, that sounds pretty cool. I've been thinking about getting a speaker switcher to use with my JBL 308P Mkii and Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2. It seems like there's a new brand, NEOHIPO, that has a similar one called NEOHIPO ET30. It has more colorful lights, seems to have a smaller impact on the amplifier, and has a larger VU meter size (which I like). Has anyone given it a test run yet?
https://www.amazon.com/NEOHIPO-Ampl...=1700191600&refresh=1&s=merchant-items&sr=1-5
Douk AudioVU3
https://www.amazon.com/Amplifier-Speaker-Audio-Switcher-Display/dp/B096KLDMCV/ref=sr_1_4?crid=ZKRFFV4PDK7W&keywords=DUCK+AUDIO+VU2&qid=1693465620&sprefix=duck+audio+vu2,aps,422&sr= 8-4

Thanks for posting this. It looks similar, but different enough. I am going to reach to to them for a demo that I can test....

 

[Daviede]

Thanks for posting this. It looks similar, but different enough. I am going to reach to to them for a demo that I can test....

Oh, Amirm has already released the test for this today.Good! It looks good, with two large VU meters measuring 80*45mm, larger than Douk Audio's (60*35mm), and the size seems to be considerably larger as well.

NEOHIPO ET30 VU Meter Speaker Switcher Review

There's no headphone equivalent of this no?

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[KEFCarver]

Oh, Amirm has already released the test for this today.Good! It looks good, with two large VU meters measuring 80*45mm, larger than Douk Audio's (60*35mm), and the size seems to be considerably larger as well.

NEOHIPO ET30 VU Meter Speaker Switcher Review

There's no headphone equivalent of this no?

www.audiosciencereview.com

I reached out to the company but did not hear back from them. Looks like a nice unit- if I did not have the one I the one I do (w/out VU meters), I would purchase it. Maybe I still will as I have a pair of speakers that I switch between. Am designing my own power meter right now- large blue "mac like" analog meters- 1st go at it did not work well so am redesigning it.

 

[KaeliKoo]

DoukMall is selling the VU3 on Ebay for $108 if anyone interested...