If you want it…you want it
Those wondering why anyone would want to buy a box that comes with dancing pins and lets you customize your soundstage with the push of a button probably won’t buy the Fosi Audio LC30. On the other hand, those who see it and immediately think of a beloved old amplifier with a built-in VU meter may already be checking to see if Fosi still has it in stock. This is purely an aesthetic addition to an audio setup and, frankly, is aimed primarily at an older crowd.
When setting up, the center dial determines the load the VU needle receives, so you should start at the lowest level and slowly turn it up until you get the desired movement; remember, the instrumentation behind them was and is quite delicate. Unfortunately, my preferred source wouldn’t make the LC30 dance until the volume reached fairly extreme levels, and the volume remained the same whether using bare wire or banana plugs. Your mileage may vary, especially if you have a power amp in the chain, but this is a common complaint from backers who have received an LC30, and it’s not unique to this particular sample.
That wasn’t enough to stop me, the cozy amber glow and slight movement at the base of the VU watch was enough to put a smile on my face. For those hoping to run a deficit without upsetting their neighbors, this may disappoint. The second amplifier channel in this example is the BT20a Pro with Bluetooth connectivity, as it makes playing audio from your phone easy and fast.
More selfishly, it will also make reviewing future Fosi products much simpler, since all I’ll have to do is replace the banana plugs instead of rewiring everything. It might spark some interest to see if there are big sonic differences between amps sent over the years, and if some amps get the VU meter more excited than others. This also applies to those who have a range of different amplifiers that they prefer to use in specific situations.
As always, it’s great to see Fosi’s creativity and share it with you all.