We were looking around for a noise system for the upstairs bedrooms in the Automated house when, by a happy coincidence, Soundvision Technologies got in touch to ask if we’d like to try out their VSSL A.1 music streaming amplifier.
The Hardware
VSSL (pronounced Vessel), together with TruAudio, are part of the Soundvision Technologies household which is finest understood for their high-end speakers, custom set up products as well as impressive outside subwoofers as well as noise systems.
Their streaming amplifier variety has 3 models, the 6-Zone A.6, the 3-Zone A.3 as well as the single zone A.1 we have here. It can be utilized to provide music in one space as well as provide an growth path to type part of a multi-zone, whole-house audio system too.
The A.1 has a 2 channel amp (35 watts at 8Ω, or 50 watts at 4Ω) as well as has on-board support for both Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth streaming. round the back there is a comprehensive set of digital as well as analogue I/O which makes the versatile A.1 useful for a number of applications.
Inputs
Ethernet
Digital Coax
Digital Optical
RCA
IR
Outputs
RCA
Digital Coax
Digital Optical
Subwoofer
It is similar to a black Mac mini in shape as well as size (dimensions 189mm x 221mm x 51mm) as well as that footprint includes a built-in PSU too. Its feet are held on with magnets so quickly removed, reducing its height to just 43 mm. This, together with the integrated wall install means it can be hidden behind a TV, or in shape within 1U on a 19″ rack.
The ‘Line Out Only’ switch turns the A.1 into a source (no amp) should you desire to link it to an existing setup. In our situation we are taking advantage of the on-board amplifier which seems perfect for ceiling or bookshelf speakers.
Setup
Part of the unique proposition right here is that the system is configuration as well as managed utilizing the Google house app. We powered up the A.1, relying on just its builtin WiFi (rather than utilizing its Ethernet) as well as it instantly appeared on our scan.
After complying with the guided configuration the VSSL A.1 was assigned to the bedroom as well as prepared to go. next we linked the speakers which are wired up utilizing Phoenix terminal connectors. These are a nice touch which hint at TruAudio’s custom set up heritage.
On the other end of the speaker cables is a pair of TruAudio’s B.23 bookshelf speakers. finally a phono cable linked the sub out on the A.1 to the TruAudio’s CSUB-10 active subwoofer.
There are no buttons at all on the system itself as well as I’d like to see at least a mute button added. The included IR receiver is clever though. This plugs into the A.1’s rear panel as well as can be sited remotely (ideal if the streamer is in a cupboard or behind a TV). utilizing the VSSL app (Android as well as iOS) you can discover buttons from most IR remotes (your TVs volume controls for example), enabling you to manage the audio without having to pull your phone out of your pocket. The VSSL app is likewise utilized to configure different elements of the system, including naming zones as well as setting the graphic equaliser.
Everything was up as well as running in around 20 minutes.
Native Streaming
The A.1 has built-in support for Chromecast, Apple Airplay 2, Spotify link as well as DLNA. That means you can stream to it from Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play Music, YouTube, Amazon Music, Pandora, SoundCloud as well as many others.
With double band WiFi (2.4 GHz / 5.8 GHz MIMO) we were able to location the A.1 anywhere round the home as well as depend on the wireless network. There’s a difficult wired choice as well as well as with 2 Ethernet ports you’ll still have one free in the room.
We linked it to our bedroom TV utilizing the optical input. That regional input can then be streamed to other spaces as well – so you can be listening to the evening news for example from this TV in any type of other space with a VSSL zone.
What TruAudio is aiming to do right here in a method reminds me of Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto. They are taking away the requirement to wait on the OEM to establish or update features, getting out of the method as well as letting you utilize your favored apps instead. as well as in our book, that’s a extremely great thing.
The TruAudio variety is offered in the UK from distributors LinITX.com as well as go to vssl.com for more information.
Next Time
In part 2 we’ll take a look at the speakers as well as subwoofer we are pairing with the A.1 as well as checkout the voice manage features as well as noise high quality of this configuration in action.
In the meantime keep in mind to check out our Instagram to comply with our project, checked out the rest of the Automated house 2.0 blog posts as well as discover the links to all the other products we’ve used in our self-build.
Share this:
Facebook
Twitter
Reddit
LinkedIn
Pinterest8
Email
More
WhatsApp
Print
Skype
Tumblr
Telegram
Pocket