3-in-1 Audio Component Review
This week I’ve made a start on a handful of videos. I also received a couple of fascinating objects in the post that I'm really looking forward to showing you. However today’s video is an intentionally lighthearted and faster than usual paced three-in-one review.
I thought about calling this one 'The Good the Bad and the Ugly' but Good was overdoing it.
After I edit the next video I hope to find time for a Patreon only video. So if there's anything you'd like an update on, please let me know.
I hope your week has been good.
Comments (65)
BigClive has things to say about those mains leads. The live & neutral poles in the early versions weren't even partly insulated so you could test the mains with your fingers while unplugging.. If you cut the cable, it's probably got only a few strands of cheapo aluminium wire.. Not even worth recycling ;-)
Let it be known that I didn't have the courage to tap the "Post" button after making a joke regarding Mrs. Slocombe's cat.
Most likely a wise decision but also the world’s loss.
Those things are bulky for a reason, and all good reasons at that. AFAIK (not being in the UK) the usual wiring over there has central fuses, at least for a long while now. Also, the ring topology seems to be on the way out. Maybe one of those "seems like a good idea at the time" things.
I seem to have wandered into an episode of "Carry On HiFi" . Nice to see some of these odd Chinese Ebay devices tried out so I don't feel the need to do it myself.
The plug on the Nobsound looks like Wallace of Wallace and Gromet! :-) https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/wallaceandgromit/images/3/3e/Wallace-482x298.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140526031303
Not exactly related to this video, but the fact you found a use for old balls.....
Is there a list of tech you are searching for, so that we can see if it is in local 2nd hand shops and then tell you about it? (And apologies for the 2 part post)
Was there any effort at all to combine the Nobsound product into a video with ball speakers? Or was this just a happy conscience that would go over the head of most non UK viewers?
No intention. I got the speakers offered to me last December. I then got a few people asking if I’d review a mini-amp, and the only one I could find with rear inputs and power meters was from Nobsound. Since the speakers were sitting in the locker I really thought it would be a good opportunity to try them out.
Maybe you'll have some more use for your ball lifter now?
Good memory. It’s currently gathering dust in the attic.
Shrouded earth pin on a UK plug is also kind of silly; although admitidly in the case of that cable it's kind of irrelevant, as it doesn't have an earth wire anyway. No fuse is a big no-no though...is that even legal?
John Ward is a YouTuber who has done a good job of explaining why these things are dangerous: https://youtu.be/9KMrWupFQt4
I wish that mini amp was 2.1 I'm sick of new computer speaker systems (and TV surround systems) that go into standby when they don't hear sound for a while. Yes my computer speakers auto-wake but only after about 3 or 4 seconds so you miss notifications and the first part of music or videos.
Great video! You had me laughing at a few points, loved the plastic peel and the reflection gag afterwards, brilliant! I’m laughing to myself just thinking about it 🤣
In the mid-1970s, I had a solid-state Quad amp and preamp (built in England). The preamp had no tone controls. I can neither recall nor locate the model number; it resembled the model 33 but lacked that unit's bass and treble controls. So there is precedent for this odd design omission.
Great! Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the video Mat. I have a niche suggestion for insulin users. I use insulin and often forgot if I had taken it. I discovered Timesulin insulin pen caps. It's basically tells you when you put the cap on last. It might help other forgetful diabetics. Perhaps you have some other things that you find useful? The DVLA won't allow me to use my Freestyle Libre that you reviewed and I love. It spotted my night hypos. I still have to test the old way with my Accu-chek Mobile when driving. Best wishes.
Funnily enough a couple of years ago I bought a Timesulin as I thought it could make for a nice simple video, but it stopped working within a week and by then I'd decided that I didn't really need it as I'd swapped to a basal bolus system so I didn't have to worry so much about how much insulin I'd taken and when it was. So I never bothered trying to get a replacement. Yes DVLA still insist on a blood result - however I believe that may well change.
Miniature audio gear is cool! But i guess you still get what you pay for – if you're lucky ... :-) Anyway, great video. Thanks! :-)
From far that equalizer doesn't look too bad. But the close-up view of those cheap levers, I could even feel them on the screen, gave me goosebumps. Will those balls and the "don't touch me wanna be equalizer" end up in a local bazaar? If I google for Plardin and choose images, I get shoes! That's probably their primary business. ;-)
The balls are pretty much useless now unfortunately. No one wants (or should have) limited frequency speakers in any type of modern AV setup. It’s a shame as they are almost cool. The EQ, well that can go to the recyclers.
Enjoyed the video, hope you’ve been having a pleasant summer. It’s been hot here I’m Florida so enjoying a cold pint while I watch... Cheers mate, and much appreciated what you do, got another workmate Hooked on your channel this week, with the gateway drug... the cassettes better than you remember video
I always think I could have done better with that video, it’s a bit unfocused. But of course hindsight is 20/20.
Not only did you have a Nob and Balls but a piece of Crap as well! :) I haven’t seen anything that poorly made in a long time - I would have been more surprised if the display actually had been a real spectrum analyzer.
Already cracking up in the first 20 seconds 😁 Now all you need is a Schiit amplifier to tie together the nob and balls.
Been curious about those Chinese equalizers too, having seen them on eBay. Definitely a lot chintzier than I'd hoped so thanks for the PSA!
Technoan: "...unlike me with these old balls." Me: *dies*
Ball Speakers....yeah I snickered in the back row....
These are some odd balls. Great video, though! Been thinking of getting a mini amp myself, and the ones This Does Not Compute reviewed don't seem to be worth the investment. Regarding the Patreon update - I would just like to know how you're holding up stress-wise. Content creation is very demanding and I want to know if you're doing alright.
Ok, I’ll try to talk about that but without sounding like an arse.
Plugs ARE actually really interesting. You're dealing with a nerd fanbase here, after all. 🤓 Here's Tom Scott for anyone who doesn't know why UK plugs have a fuse in them: https://youtu.be/UEfP1OKKz_Q Delightful over-engineering, that.
I’m just disappointed that every video where I briefly show a UK plug you’ll get a load of kids trolling the comments because they’ve never seen any other plugs from any other country. It’s just so predictably depressingly disheartening that in an age where the sum of all human knowledge is available to anyone with an internet connection that rather than learn or even travel, that they instead choose to proudly proclaim their ignorance to all cultures beyond their own and wear this like a badge of achievement.
Not sure if this video ranks as a cheese sandwich, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you.
I'm glad to see the 3-deck and the 40-track have made it into the outtro video.
It’s been quite a while since I updated it. I aim to swap a few more things out.
"Unlike me with these old balls" had me laughing. Nice job.
Balls! You had me sniggering. You seemed a little giddy yourself there. I’m almost sad you got serious to finish the video.
Hi Mat. How does mini amp compare to your main amp? Can u just pick them up on eBay? Thanks for great video as always look forward to your videos
I don’t think I would be able to tell any major difference between them. - there’s no distortion and it makes things louder, that’s all I’d imagine most people need. There are links in the video description text box to eBay, there are quite a few alternatives on eBay too.
As a new patreon, I must say: last Sunday I watched your roundup of 2018 video in one go. And I was sober too!
Sorry, that comment was supposed to be referencing Travis's. I ignored your advice in the last post, Mat. About linking comments.
Re. the Patreon only video and updates -- I'd be curious to know if there's anything that you think any of us might be able to assist with. Sometimes even just talking to yourself/the camera/"us" about stuff you're stuck on can help "rubber duck" through the problem, and certainly I'd be thrilled to see more resolutions come about like they did with the triple deck.
I’ll have a good think about that as there’s nothing immediately springing to mind.
Oh, you mentioned a while back that you have too much old stuff and you want to get rid of it, but selling through eBay was too much hassle. You may want to sell it through a 3rd party eBay reseller. They would deal with the hassle for you.
I’ve looked into it a few times, but they just don’t exist in my part of the country.
You seem to be into rap music and the like, but you never play any music like that when demonstrating audio components. Is there nothing good enough in the YT audio library?
No nothing - the are a few tracks listed under hip hop, but the last time I looked they were instrumental and awful.
I'm sorry ... did you say this was sponsored by These Old Balls???? The EQ was a piece of work. Video was perfect for a Friday afternoon. Good work as always!
Great video, as always. Digressing a bit, I kinda though Assman discs were a joke, until I looked them up, haha. It's too bad titman.co.uk doesn't make audio components, you'd have a whole episode there, "T&A - the audio edition".
https://www.ta-hifi.de/en/ 🤔
Nobsound has made some cool tube pre-amps. I'm running my home stereo through one of these - using a 4 way switchbox to color the sound of a turntable (has its own phono preamp), tv, tape deck, and aux. Not too shabby once replaced with NOS GE tubes. Got the idea from your older 'budget headphone amp' video.
Yes they’re all over eBay - they seem to have specialised in this part of the market. When I went looking for mini amp - they were mostly theirs.
Hey! - the puppets must have been watching you make this video, I heard them in the background making cheeky comments a couple of times!
I've just bought a BIGASUO projector, which I think is more subtley rude / suggestive; although like much of your purchases, it's going back!
One day I hope to demonstrate an Assmann disc recorder - but I think I'll have to grow-up first.
Thank goodness the equaliser didn't incorporate a timer display otherwise you'd need to explain why a clock & balls could be funny. Ages ago you reviewed video doorbells - did you persevere and retain any? I gather the police in some areas are discounting them IF they can access the footage. Scary or what?
No I just stuck with the simple self-powered wireless doorbell I replaced the Ring with. It's worked flawlessly. I think video doorbells have probably got better since I reviewed the first version of the Ring (well I hope they have) - but for me a lot of this smart home stuff is far stupider than the non-smart stuff. I want my doorbell to ring and my light switch to turn on the lights irregardless of whether the router is offline.
Well, it looks like your nob's worth a punt, but I wouldn't give you tuppence for your balls, Mat.
This is just one big Carry-On film of a video.
Many thanks for the anti-ASMR bit when peeling the plastic off of the mini amp! 👍🏼
So, was the combo of a nob and balls in one video a complete coincidence?
It wasn't intentionally silly - it just ended up that way. I have a feeling that viewers outside the UK might see nothing unusual with the name Nobsound - I'm guessing Nobsound themselves are fine with it - so it's likely this is just an unfortunate name when viewed from a UK perspective.
Stoked! This is a good day for for a video like this for me. Thanks, Techmoan!