Fosi Audio LC30 personal experiences

[anti68]

Fosi Audio Lc30 personal review.



I needed a device that would allow me to compare amplifiers and speakers quickly and with minimal time loss. Not studio-level, but still of appreciable quality and at an affordable price. When I saw the Fosi Audio LC30, I immediately fell in love with the two large, real VU meters and the large, stylish button between them, this device can switch between two amplifiers and two pairs of speakers on demand. So I made an easy decision. When it arrived, I immediately unpacked it.

It revealed itself in all its beauty:

package contents: 1: LC30 (yellow)

2: Usb C cable (psu not included)

3: Remote control

4: User manual

Backside:

The product is available with two types of displays. Yellow and black background VU meters. For me, there was no question that I had to have the yellow one. I had a few Sanyo RD4028 type casette tape decks back then that I used for a long time and loved very much. The vu meter looks almost the same. As soon as I saw the product videos about the LC30, I immediately knew that this was what I needed. Since then, my heart has been filled with warmth whenever I look at it, I love it!

My two v3 monoblocks fit just fine on top.

Feelings: Very good and stable construction. Surprisingly heavy. Good use of materials. Massive vibration-free aluminum housing, with very nice paint. Good esigned buttons, the adjust level potentiometer has a fine movement and is stable. The buttons are not intrusive, tasteful, finely embossed and work very well. The large black button in the middle is also a hit! The orange input/output indicator LEDs are the same orange, small and discreet as in my v3 monos. The design is very good. The retro design appealed to my heart. The VU meters are a pleasant warm yellow color. The lighting is dimmable, can be switched to 5 positions. It can be turned off, or we can switch to four intensity levels according to our taste or the lighting conditions.

The VU meters have very good dynamic movement. They are not lazy, they move quite briskly considering their large size. Although VU meters are scaled, they are not suitable for measuring real values. It is no secret that they are intended for entertainment and spectacle. Because of the level adjustment knob, it would not be possible to set a real calibration and then they would hardly move at average or low volume. This way, however, we can set them to have large swings even at relatively low volume. I love this!

When switching, subtle clicks can be heard from inside the device. Fine, high-quality relays operate inside.

Fully loaded

The LC30 requires 5 volts of power. However, the package does not include a adapter, so I plugged a phone charger into it. It works perfectly fine. I find the usb-c socket strange instead of the standard power connector. But this is not a disadvantage at all, it is just unusual.

I have read online that the sound changes slightly when the LC30 is in the signal path. Well, while this is certainly true, it will not bother the average music listener. There is no significant or audible degradation in quality. It is perfect for quick A/B tests, because if there is an effect on the sound, it is changed equally with both devices under test. This way you can definitely hear the difference between the two devices under test. If we exit the test mode and apply a signal in parallel with the speakers, the sound is definitely not affected by the device and we get nice and big voltmeters with proper swing. I can even compare speaker cables with it, because I can connect two speaker cables to my speakers in parallel at the same time. I measured the Lc30 and when switching, there is no connection between the devices for a moment. Even with reversed polarity connections, there should be no short circuit. No audible switching noise or any added electronic noise! That's enough about the intended use, there is also non-professional use: This is the "game" mode, which is still very pleasant to the heart! A manly game for an adult "children's room.." Send a parallel signal from your amplifier's output to the LC30's input and enjoy the beautifully lit, well-moving VU meter! If you like to mix modern technology with real retro feelings, then this is your device!

Pros: Practical for non-stop A/B testing.

Stable, solid construction.

Large VU meters with dynamic movement.

Adjustable in 5 modes.

Remote control.

Beautiful!



Cons: It would have deserved its own power supply. Either wall-mounted or built-in.

 

[Mark E. Long]

Fosi Audio Lc30 personal review.



I needed a device that would allow me to compare amplifiers and speakers quickly and with minimal time loss. Not studio-level, but still of appreciable quality and at an affordable price. When I saw the Fosi Audio LC30, I immediately fell in love with the two large, real VU meters and the large, stylish button between them, this device can switch between two amplifiers and two pairs of speakers on demand. So I made an easy decision. When it arrived, I immediately unpacked it.

It revealed itself in all its beauty:


View attachment 71663

package contents: 1: LC30 (yellow)

2: Usb C cable (psu not included)

3: Remote control

4: User manual

Backside:

View attachment 71664

The product is available with two types of displays. Yellow and black background VU meters. For me, there was no question that I had to have the yellow one. I had a few Sanyo RD4028 type casette tape decks back then that I used for a long time and loved very much. The vu meter looks almost the same. As soon as I saw the product videos about the LC30, I immediately knew that this was what I needed. Since then, my heart has been filled with warmth whenever I look at it, I love it!

View attachment 71665

My two v3 monoblocks fit just fine on top.

View attachment 71666

Feelings: Very good and stable construction. Surprisingly heavy. Good use of materials. Massive vibration-free aluminum housing, with very nice paint. Good esigned buttons, the adjust level potentiometer has a fine movement and is stable. The buttons are not intrusive, tasteful, finely embossed and work very well. The large black button in the middle is also a hit! The orange input/output indicator LEDs are the same orange, small and discreet as in my v3 monos. The design is very good. The retro design appealed to my heart. The VU meters are a pleasant warm yellow color. The lighting is dimmable, can be switched to 5 positions. It can be turned off, or we can switch to four intensity levels according to our taste or the lighting conditions.

View attachment 71667

The VU meters have very good dynamic movement. They are not lazy, they move quite briskly considering their large size. Although VU meters are scaled, they are not suitable for measuring real values. It is no secret that they are intended for entertainment and spectacle. Because of the level adjustment knob, it would not be possible to set a real calibration and then they would hardly move at average or low volume. This way, however, we can set them to have large swings even at relatively low volume. I love this!

View attachment 71668

When switching, subtle clicks can be heard from inside the device. Fine, high-quality relays operate inside.

View attachment 71669

Fully loaded

View attachment 71670

The LC30 requires 5 volts of power. However, the package does not include a adapter, so I plugged a phone charger into it. It works perfectly fine. I find the usb-c socket strange instead of the standard power connector. But this is not a disadvantage at all, it is just unusual.

View attachment 71671



I have read online that the sound changes slightly when the LC30 is in the signal path. Well, while this is certainly true, it will not bother the average music listener. There is no significant or audible degradation in quality. It is perfect for quick A/B tests, because if there is an effect on the sound, it is changed equally with both devices under test. This way you can definitely hear the difference between the two devices under test. If we exit the test mode and apply a signal in parallel with the speakers, the sound is definitely not affected by the device and we get nice and big voltmeters with proper swing. I can even compare speaker cables with it, because I can connect two speaker cables to my speakers in parallel at the same time. I measured the Lc30 and when switching, there is no connection between the devices for a moment. Even with reversed polarity connections, there should be no short circuit. No audible switching noise or any added electronic noise! That's enough about the intended use, there is also non-professional use: This is the "game" mode, which is still very pleasant to the heart! A manly game for an adult "children's room.." Send a parallel signal from your amplifier's output to the LC30's input and enjoy the beautifully lit, well-moving VU meter! If you like to mix modern technology with real retro feelings, then this is your device!

View attachment 71672

Pros: Practical for non-stop A/B testing.

Stable, solid construction.

Large VU meters with dynamic movement.

Adjustable in 5 modes.

Remote control.

Beautiful!



Cons: It would have deserved its own power supply. Either wall-mounted or built-in.

Cool retro look and appeal but how does it alter the sound I would be concerned with that depending on the change. Do enjoy the look too .

 

[Eppie]

Having a relay in the signal path will not alter the sound in any way. This is not a line level device operating in the millivolt range but a device operating on amplifier outputs at several volts. I think any difference will be "perceived" and not measurable.

The one downside to this device is that it does not level match speaker volume. For A/B comparisons, you need to ensure that the speaker SPL level is identical on both settings, otherwise the louder speaker will always be more pronounced. There are switches out there that level match (I've seen one at Dennis Murphy's house) but they are rather expensive by comparison.

A switch like this is good for people who like to use two pairs of speakers or different amps, but it should not be used for making direct A/B comparisons unless you can also ensure that the SPL levels are matched properly.

 

[anti68]

Cool retro look and appeal but how does it alter the sound I would be concerned with that depending on the change. Do enjoy the look too .

Thanks! don't think of a drastic change. probably the internal cables can be thinner than standard speaker cables. but this is just a tip. you can find measurements on the asr forum. I have the lc30 on every day.. I love it

 

[anti68]

Having a relay in the signal path will not alter the sound in any way. This is not a line level device operating in the millivolt range but a device operating on amplifier outputs at several volts. I think any difference will be "perceived" and not measurable.

The one downside to this device is that it does not level match speaker volume. For A/B comparisons, you need to ensure that the speaker SPL level is identical on both settings, otherwise the louder speaker will always be more pronounced. There are switches out there that level match (I've seen one at Dennis Murphy's house) but they are rather expensive by comparison.

A switch like this is good for people who like to use two pairs of speakers or different amps, but it should not be used for making direct A/B comparisons unless you can also ensure that the SPL levels are matched properly.

yes that's right! I also mostly use it just for the visuals. and even for listening to speaker cables immediately. and for immediate comparison of different loudspeakers (only two pairs). that is, how the given music is displayed.

 

[Eppie]

yes that's right! I also mostly use it just for the visuals. and even for listening to speaker cables immediately. and for immediate comparison of different loudspeakers (only two pairs). that is, how the given music is displayed.

Nice review BTW. Didn't mean to sound too critical.

 

[Mark E. Long]

Thanks! don't think of a drastic change. probably the internal cables can be thinner than standard speaker cables. but this is just a tip. you can find measurements on the asr forum. I have the lc30 on every day.. I love it

Am wondering if the meters can be adjusted or calibrated to signal seems well built. Seems similar setup to the old Realistic amp-200 db meters from years ago I had a couple of those way back . I’ll look it up over there .