We had been trying round for a sound system for the upstairs bedrooms within the Automated Residence when, by a contented coincidence, Soundvision Applied sciences received in contact to ask if we’d prefer to check out their VSSL A.1 music streaming amplifier.
The {Hardware}
VSSL (pronounced Vessel), together with TruAudio, are a part of the Soundvision Applied sciences household which is finest recognized for his or her high-end audio system, customized set up merchandise and spectacular out of doors subwoofers and sound methods.
Their streaming amplifier vary has 3 fashions, the 6-Zone A.6, the 3-Zone A.3 and the one zone A.1 now we have right here. It may be used to supply music in a single room and supply an enlargement path to kind a 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) and has on-board help for each Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming. Around the again there’s a complete set of digital and analogue I/O which makes the versatile A.1 helpful for a number of functions.
Inputs
- Ethernet
- Digital Coax
- Digital Optical
- RCA
- IR
Outputs
- RCA
- Digital Coax
- Digital Optical
- Subwoofer
It’s paying homage to a black Mac mini in form and dimension (dimensions 189mm x 221mm x 51mm) and that footprint features a built-in PSU too. Its toes are held on with magnets so simply eliminated, lowering its top to only 43 mm. This, together with the Built-in Wall Mount means it may be hidden behind a TV, or match inside 1U on a 19″ rack.
The ‘Line Out Solely’ swap turns the A.1 right into a supply (no amp) do you have to want to join it to an present setup. In our case we’re making the most of the on-board amplifier which appears supreme for ceiling or bookshelf audio system.
Setup
A part of the distinctive proposition right here is that the unit is setup and managed utilizing the Google Residence app. We powered up the A.1, counting on simply its builtin WiFi (quite than utilizing its Ethernet) and it instantly appeared on our scan.
After following the guided setup the VSSL A.1 was assigned to the bed room and able to go. Subsequent we linked the audio system that are wired up utilizing Phoenix terminal connectors. These are a pleasant contact which trace at TruAudio’s customized set up heritage.
On the opposite finish of the speaker cables is a pair of TruAudio’s B.23 bookshelf audio system. Lastly a phono cable linked the sub out on the A.1 to the TruAudio’s CSUB-10 energetic subwoofer.
There are not any buttons in any respect on the unit itself and I’d prefer to see no less than a mute button added. The included IR receiver is intelligent although. This plugs into the A.1’s rear panel and might be sited remotely (supreme if the streamer is in a cupboard or behind a TV). Utilizing the VSSL App (Android and iOS) you’ll be able to be taught buttons from most IR remotes (your TVs quantity controls for instance), permitting you to manage the audio with out having to tug your telephone out of your pocket. The VSSL app can also be used to configure numerous features of the system, together with naming zones and setting the graphic equaliser.
All the pieces was up and operating in round 20 minutes.
Native Streaming
The A.1 has built-in help for Chromecast, Apple Airplay 2, Spotify Join and DLNA. Which means you’ll be able to stream to it from Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play Music, YouTube, Amazon Music, Pandora, SoundCloud and lots of others.
With twin band WiFi (2.4 GHz / 5.8 GHz MIMO) we had been capable of place the A.1 anyplace spherical the home and depend on the wi-fi community. There’s a tough wired choice too and with 2 Ethernet ports you’ll nonetheless have one free within the room.
We linked it to our bed room TV utilizing the optical enter. That native enter can then be streamed to different rooms too – so that you might be listening to the night information for instance from this TV in some other room with a VSSL zone.
What TruAudio is aiming to do right here in a approach jogs my memory of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. They’re taking away the necessity to anticipate the OEM to develop or replace options, getting out of the way in which and letting you employ your most well-liked apps as a substitute. And in our ebook, that’s an excellent factor.
The TruAudio vary is on the market within the UK from distributors LinITX.com and go to vssl.com for extra info.
Subsequent Time
In Half 2 we’ll check out the audio system and subwoofer we’re pairing with the A.1 and checkout the voice management options and sound high quality of this setup in motion.
Within the meantime bear in mind to try our Instagram to comply with our mission, learn the remainder of the Automated Residence 2.0 weblog posts and discover the hyperlinks to all the opposite merchandise we’ve used in our self-build.
