YAMAHA  YSU-3/YSL-3           The Mother of all Switching Units

What is a switching unit? -  Simply put, it allows you to connect every piece of stereo gear
you've ever collected, all at once, and switch freely between any combination of components
and any set of stereo speakers, up to 20!  Internal Relay switches are used for everything
so there is zero signal path loss and the power is unlimited.

Shown below the Ultra Rare YSU-3 Switching Unit, YSL-3 Speaker Level Control Unit,  and Nixie Tube Speaker Indicator.

This not oft' seen monstrosity boasts 40 pushbutton selection switches, 2 toggle switches with 3 indicator lights,
20 calibrated speaker level controls, illuminated VU meters, and a mind-blowing 53 dedicated Relay switches;
(23 are inside the YSU and 30 more inside the YSL), madness.

                                                            ~HISTORY~

The example shown was from the "HI-FI Stereo House"  in Newington, CT. It was in use there during the 70's
and 80's. This was the area's hot spot for high end audio that had all the greats.. Marantz, Pioneer, Yamaha,
McIntosh, Akai open Reel, Scott, you name it. In the 1960's, they showcased Scott tube equipment, a
personal favorite of the owner.

Back in the day, this switch box was loaded up with high end components, allowing perspective buyers to select
which turntable or Reel to Reel deck or what have you-- to be played through which amplifier, then to which set
of 20 speakers! Because the no compromise design used relay switches, and leveling controls to equal the SPL
of various speakers, it was a true test of the equipment being auditioned and had no power limitation. Some users
spent hours pushing just the right combination of buttons to obtain their dream system.

According to the store owner, the Yamaha switcher was out of reach to the public, having a MSRP of $9,600.
in the 70's. Through a reciprocal Yamaha stocking, promotional, and sales agreement, the retailer was able to
pull it off affordably and everyone including Yamaha won. These
contraptions were a huge success to the industry.

I for one can vouch for using these sweet little pushbuttons
and knobs until I had what I knew was the best combination
of sounds for my ears. The idea of the YSL-3, or the
 (Yamaha Speaker Level) control unit was to correct for differences in
SPL for different speakers. As everyone knows, many times when
things are close, the louder speaker will prevail even if it's an inferior
speaker. Ha! The YSL put an end to that nonsense. Now they were all
on a level playing field, and with dedicated relays, that meant no worries about the pushbuttons becoming
dusty or a signal path loss, etc., as they merely activate the encased shielded high quality relay. Brilliant.

The thing that struck me first was when turning it on you hear the internal relay click close shut just after the on/off switch makes its own click.
Two clicks for one! :) ..gives it an expensive powerful feel. It is also remarkable to see the NASA-like cool giant Nixie tubes glow. The numbers
are classically formed, not like newer boring segment displays, each has it's own unique character curve. I've never seen nixies so large.

We pause briefly to give credit to the tube roots of HI-FI Stereo House and the home of this YSU-3...

The smooth warm tube sound of HH Scott with it's timeless look. These pieces were acquired from the former
owner of The HI-FI Stereo House in Newington CT, in an "everything must go" yard sale.. Not much
can be found about this store that closed long before the internet, but for those of us that toured the showroom
in the 60's, 70s, the memories glow like tube filaments. The switchbox was probably the last real cool thing left
when they closed in the 80's. Anyone with more history or pictorials of Hi-FI stereo house, email ritvalentine@gmail.com
as I'd like to include it here.

Now Back.. to  the YSU-3, resting amidst volumes of Rider's Manuals..

As mentioned before, the nixie tube readout box was (is) quite the gadget.. An eye catcher, with 50 feet of cable for placement anywhere.
Seen below it is mounted away from the switchbox and the classic formation of the number 3, that I can't even find a font for anymore!

Let's have a naked look at those nixies...

The rear panel:  If you're like me and have collected a million pieces of gear and a plethora of
speakers, connections back here are plentiful with room to spare. I once thought of radio station
console-- ham station type interconnects using this, in addition to stereo components but plans to
move have nixed (not nixie'd) the idea..

           Let's see more photos:

Inside views of the YSU-3 Switching unit

  ===========RARE=

If you have any comments or questions, feel free to email me at:

ritvalentine@gmail.com 

Are those a set of Ryder's manuals, People have asked? - Yes,  VOL 1 thru 22. ..  I will be selling them soon.