DoukAudio XLR Audio Switcher 1-In-3-Out: Balanced Passive Selector Stereo Converter for Multi Source Comparison Gold Plated Shielded Aluminum Studio HiFi Audiophile

This week I wanted to A<=>B compare two power amplifiers fed alternately by a single DAC, hence the need for this 1-in-3 output selector for a single source. I am quite happy with the 3-in-1 output version of this device, which I used last year to compare several DACs fed to the same power amplifier. So it was a no-brainer to purchase this 1-in-3 output version this time around. These boxes are not full-on professional products. Such pro products would sport famous name parts, all metal construction, withstand rough handling, be rack-mountable, etc., and would cost far more. These Nobsound boxes use good parts and are well made in plastic and metal. In normal listening, I've never detected a degradation in the audio signal caused by these boxes.

Let's face it, once you get into the "balanced" craze of using just balanced input devices, you soon realize that you wish you had one of these switchers. I'm using purely balanced power amplifiers now, along with a few balanced DAC units, and I got tired of having to first get up and pull out cables, then plugging them back into another device. This Nobsound XLR switcher is reasonably priced, and you can use it either way - that is, you can set it up to use one device going in and switching them between 3 different other devices (like amplifiers), or you can have 3 devices going in, and switch between them to one device going out. Additionally, this is a fantastic price for such a switcher, and you will certainly appreciate having one. I do wish I could find an XLR switcher that had the ability to connect 4 or 5 devices, but heck, those are impossible to find unless you have one custom-built. Sound-wise, I could hear no differences or audio drop-outs at all. The same quality balanced audio is maintained when you switch between devices. In my particular setup, I have one DAC connected to the one input, and I have 3 different balanced power amplifiers attached to the other end. This way I can compare and A/B several different amps to evaluate sound differences. So if you're into balanced audio devices, this is one device that you will need and once you get one, you will wonder why you hadn't acquired one previously. Highly recommended!

This is a well built unit. The case is made of aluminum and the knob and jacks are good quality. Yes, it is very light and will tip back with the weight of the cables unless you support them. The 1 in 3 out switcher is not completely transparent, unfortunately, which is why I am knocking off a star. When the switcher is in line between a preamp and an amplifier, music sounds slightly different and not in a positive or enhanced sort of way. Every so slightly dulled and less lively. It's *very* slight, but definitely there. I did a blind test with a friend, using the same 16 gauge high quality XLR cable for both input and output. Every time the switcher was in line, we called that listening session out as being less pleasant to listen to than if the preamp was hooked up to the amplifier directly. Great switch box for the money. However, if you want to use it to switch between powered monitors for critical listening, or to choose between different amps in a hi-fi system you should look elsewhere.

Awesome switcher!

But...the Large knob which is the centerpiece of the unit is kind of plasticky-feeling and somewhat slippery; but not a deal breaker. The unit works well and does what it is supposed to deo, without electrical interference/noise. Solid housing as well. Good xlr connections. Recommended.

Well built but just shy of top quality. Top and bottom cases are steel but the front and rear panels are molded plastic. The switch is mounted to the front panel but the knob is of the plastic push-on type. Because the molded rear panel contains internal features to mount the XLR socket and connector PCB's the design does make sense. It would have been much more expensive to have to duplicate the same functions with metal parts. All in all, perfectly functional and recommended for the intended purpose.

This Nobsound has excellent build quality, is very light, and is quite easy to use!

I've been using the one little bear for about a week now to switch between two separate sets of studio monitors from my DAC. I think I have a very discerning ear and there is no sound coloration when using this switcher (which I was a bit afraid of before ordering). Switching is seamless with no audible "pops" when switching between both sets of speakers which is a huge plus for anyone who monitors loudly. The XLR connection points are pretty good with just a slight amount of wiggle. The box itself is made well and is made of fully enclosed metal. The box is indeed very light, but I haven't experienced any of the cabling pulling the box off of it's feet. The feel of the front dial is good (if that is important to you), however with my unit the dial is slightly off-centered so when I switch to the "Y" setting the dash indicator on the dial doesn't exactly line up with the "Y" lettering. As far as functionality is concerned, this is a 5 star unit. For QC purposes it gets 4 stars. But it's a solid box with only one or two competitors in the market for XLR connections so there aren't a lot of choices out there. This was a good choice though.

Funciona muy bien, pero como no pesa absolutamente nada, los cables XLR hacen que todo se mueva si vas a cambiar alguna conexión

Just a bit light and needs a weight on top so it won't lean back from the weight of the wires. The product itself is excellent 👍

アンプ切り替え機として使っていますが、今のところ接点不良も起こさずに安定に使用できています。 音質の劣化を心配していましたが、自分の駄耳ではまったく感じられません。 価格も安価ですし、良い買い物をしました。

la boite est tres légere donc une fois branché elle bascule vers l'arriere. Sinon, tres bien comme produit. La switch tourne de facon agréable. J'utilise pour en voyer le son de mon portable ou enregistreur multipiste vers les moniteurs. Je ne branche rien a la 3 ieme entré, donc elle me sert a couper le son vers les moniteurs!

プリ兼用オーディオインターフェースから3台のパワーアンプを切り替えて使う為に購入。 質感は流石にそこそこ高いのですが、パッシブ型なので超軽い。 ケーブル（安物）をつなぐとケーブルの自重で動きます。 あと、なぜか入力の名称がX,Y,Zなんですよね。1,2,3でいいんじゃない？