NEOHIPO ET30 VU Meter Speaker Switcher Review

[pablolie]

...
I honestly expected a reduction in sound quality, but I could not appreciate it or the improvement of the external amplifier compared to the AVR.

The measurements support that. Anything that's over 90dB in the SINAD etc category is transparent, pretty much. We just have a lot of people that delude themselves into hearing such minute differences. The problem with people knowing about measurements is that sometimes people think they can really experience the difference. Whether a car makes 0-60 in 6 seconds or 5 seconds... they are darn fast and if you use that potential off every red light, you won't have a driver's license for long anyhow. And your first $2k tire upgrade after 4k miles will teach you to not drive like that anyhow.

 

[thegeton]

Anyone have a link? Not seeing it on Amazon or anywhere.

Try here...

 

[Hipster Doofus]

You all bunch of noobs, if you really want to VU-meter your system, don't waste your time in minimalist decoration and go the @dualazmak way

View attachment 334415

Multi-Channel, Multi-Amplifier Audio System Using Software Crossover and Multichannel-DAC

Why would this thread not be pinned?

audiosciencereview.com

PS: which also shows that in a multichannel system it can be even useful

This one is on my 65 inch tv and it’s free on the Kauna visualizer app along with a bunch of cool visual effects.

 

[beefkabob]

So the Mic on the front is a light which when on means the microphone in the back is driving the display levels rather than line levels on the speakers. So an SPL driven mode apparently. You could use that and not even connect it to anything else I suppose.

But then the microphone's mere presence will affect the microdetails of the music. No, we need top spend at least $5000 and have tubes to run our VU meters.

 

[Sound_freq]

This one is on my 65 inch tv and it’s free on the Kauna visualizer app along with a bunch of cool visual effects.

It looks like it should be free.....

 

[AzReciOn]

I want to echo the comments that it would be nice to know how well this functions as a switcher. I would love to have something that can switch the power for my tower speakers between (A) an AV surround receiver with limited power and fidelity and (B) a dedicated audio amp.

Once again, I support the idea (although I personally do not need it, but I often hear a similar question about switching). From what I see in the available measurements, this device is transparent enough for those cases where it is really necessary (in other cases, I would suggest using it parallel). The only thing is, until we have more detailed measurements and tests, I would first turn off one amplifier, and only then turn on the other.

 

[Jacob8275]

Anyone have a link? Not seeing it on Amazon or anywhere.

aliexpress link, and ebay link.

 

[Jacob8275]

The fosi LC30 seems to have similar functionality with the neohipo et30.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fositechnology/fosi-audio-lc30-vu-meter-amplifier-speaker-selector?ref=discovery&term=fosi%20audio

 

[dualazmak]

Even though personal nostalgia and preference are the major motivations for my IEC 60268-17 compatible DIY 12-VU-Meter Array, at least in my DSP-based multichannel system (ref. here for the latest setup), it also has practical role and value together with various Peak Meters in digital domain on audio dedicated silent PC screen.

In PC-DSP-based multichannel multi-SP-driver multi-amplifier fully active audio system, we should be much careful enough protecting our treasure SP drivers, as I recently described here on my project thread rather intensively.

The various multichannel Peak Meters monitoring all the I/O in digital domain on PC screen and the DIY 12-VU-Meter Array monitoring the actual SP-high-level signals of multiple amplifiers all together greatly help me in performing/confirming my proper and safe "ignition/startup sequences" and "shutdown sequences".

I assume you may easily understand what I mean here if you would read my post here on such sequences and looking at the below diagram showing the digital Peak Meters on screen and the physical IEC 60268-17 compatible DIY 12-VU-Meter Array;

 

[pseudoid]

This VU meter review and the ensuing replies need to have the word ballistics in it...

 

[Roland301]

Whoah nice, this looks like it uses an active buffer to drive the VUs instead of drawing from speaker signal and introducing distortion... is there such a box available for line level RCA/XLR?

 

[dualazmak]

This VU meter review and the ensuing replies need to have the word ballistics in it...

OK, I added it in my post #60!

 

[stevenswall]

Oooh, want! But… how would I connect this to a digital Genelec setup?

This... I would love something where I could just tune it to 100dB to watch out for my hearing.

 

[GWolfman]

How would you even set the level correctly without an analyzer to know when your amp is clipping or actually at 0dB?

 

[amirm]

How would you even set the level correctly without an analyzer to know when your amp is clipping or actually at 0dB?

You could use a dummy load and a simple voltmeter. You would need to know the max input to get to clipping point which you can get from my measurements.

 

[dualazmak]

Hello @amirm, let me ask again, please.

I still do not know the face of ET30 VU meter is glass or acrylic plastic, would you kindly let us know which?

 

[fordiebianco]

Hi! Could anyone please advise a similar device but without a level meter? I just need a reliable speaker switcher with a remote control to compare some gear.
Tried to find something on Amazon, but can't be sure if it doesn't affect signal

I have some Beresford gear. Works well for me. http://www.homehifi.co.uk/S/selector-phono.htm

 

[amirm]

Hello @amirm, let me ask again, please.

I still do not know the face of ET30 VU meter is glass or acrylic plastic, would you kindly let us know which?

It is some kind of plastic.

 

[IAtaman]

Luxman AS-50R​

It is silly expensive at full retail but you will find it used on eBay for a good price occasionally. I will send one in to Amir to test if he’s interested.

At this rate its gonna be easier for Amir to send you the AP and the Klippel.

 

[dualazmak]

It is some kind of plastic.

Thank you for your kind info.

Just for our reference, in my DIY 12-VU-Meter Array, the IEC 60268-17 compatible NISHIZAWA R-65 VU Meter has large rather thick glass (W100 mm x H40 mm) face.