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Sometimes a device ends up being tested by chance, and other times you spend a long time looking at it yourself before reaching out to the manufacturer. This is definitely the latter case. I’d been drooling over the PETRU Sync PRO long before it ended up on my desk: I loved the very idea of an audio visualizer that doesn’t just flash in time with the music, but looks like a full-fledged piece of interior decor. So I reached out to PETRU directly and asked for a unit to review – and here it is, at my home, next to my Qlearsoul SoulBox S1 turntable. This is the updated version of their audio visualizer – the Sync PRO. This is the second generation of the device from the Lithuanian workshop PETRU (the company is based in Kaunas). Compared to the original PETRU Sync, the PRO version features a larger display, line-in audio inputs, and a host of new visual modes. Let’s dive in to see what this beast is all about and whether it lived up to my expectations.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Specifications and Price
The PETRU Sync PRO is sold directly from the manufacturer’s website, petrudesign.com, for $309, and the price is the same for all finish options. The company offers free worldwide shipping (excluding countries under EU sanctions) and a lifetime warranty on the visualizer.
I received the Black Wood version with White-Silver control knobs. Key technical specifications:
- Body material: wood; available in Natural Walnut Wood, Black Wood (my version), and White Wood
- Control knob colors: Black-Silver, Black-Gold, White-Silver (my version), All-Black, Black-Rose Gold, White-Gold
- Dimensions – 33×10×8 cm (width × depth × height)
- Power supply – USB-C, 5V, at least 3A
- Visualization – 27 real-time modes, each with its own color options
- Audio input – built-in microphone or AUX/RCA line-in
- Audio output – duplicate AUX/RCA connectors on the rear panel
- Additional features – adjustable microphone sensitivity, built-in clock (12/24-hour format, retains time for up to 2 weeks without power), scrolling text mode (up to 30 characters), memory for the last selected mode.
The record/CD holder is designed for 2LP and 3LP sleeves up to 1.5 cm thick, as well as CD cases. The metal stands are height-adjustable from 5 to 11 cm and can be completely removed if necessary.
What’s in the Box
The box contains the device itself, two metal stands, a 1-meter USB-C to USB-A cable, and the set of control knobs selected during checkout. The cable and stands come in a separate fabric pouch – soft to the touch, with the PETRU logo – that you won’t mind leaving out in the open instead of immediately stuffing it into a drawer. Minimalist, but just enough: no extra wires or adapters.
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And here’s an important fact to know before you buy: every PETRU Sync PRO is handmade.
Design and Build Quality
Here, the PETRU Sync PRO truly lives up to its price. The case is made of a single piece of solid wood, with no noticeable plastic inserts. To the touch, it feels exactly as premium-grade wood should: dense, warm, and without any sharp seams. The metal record spindles hold the records securely; there’s no noticeable play even during heavy use.
But why did I choose the Black Wood model in the first place? I ordered the unit to match my previous turntable, which, as you’ve probably guessed, was black. But while the Sync PRO was on its way to me, I managed to replace that turntable with the very same Qlearsoul SoulBox S1. And yes, it has a different finish. So now the PETRU stands out a bit from the overall color scheme of the setup – but it’s not a big deal at all; it’s more of an interesting detail than a clash.
Lesson for the future: when ordering something to fit a specific corner of a room, keep in mind that the corner itself might change while the package is in transit.
Here’s another personal experience worth mentioning: I ended up not using the metal stands for the record sleeve. My TV is mounted right above the TV stand, and the raised disc holder rests against the bottom of the panel – there simply isn’t enough vertical space. Of course, this is specific to my setup and not a problem with the device itself – just check the distance from the stand to whatever is hanging above it beforehand.
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Ports and Connections for the Qlearsoul SoulBox S1
This is where things get most interesting for me personally. By default, the PETRU Sync PRO picks up sound via its built-in microphone – just plug it in, place the device next to the speakers, and it reacts to everything it hears in the room. But the manufacturer explicitly states: a direct connection via AUX or RCA provides a cleaner signal, and the visualizer won’t react to ambient noise in the room. And the rear audio outputs allow you to place the device directly in the audio chain between system components without interrupting the signal to the speakers.
That’s exactly how I connected it – directly to the output of my SoulBox S1, rather than through the microphone.
The difference is immediately noticeable: no extraneous sounds in the room (conversations, footsteps, children, the neighbor’s dog barking outside the window) affect the process; the visualizer responds purely to the music from the record, without any unnecessary “noise” in the image. If you have even the slightest choice between using a microphone and a direct connection – go with the latter; you won’t regret it.
Impressions of the Performance
And what about the visual show itself? Among the 27 modes, there are classic full-screen spectral equalizers, soft ambient pulsations, two “Now Playing” options, and a custom text mode – there’s no point in describing each one individually; you just have to see it.
It inevitably brings to mind good old Winamp with its visualizations – old-timers will know what I mean. You put on a record, turn on the backlight, and suddenly find yourself back in 2003 – only instead of a monitor, there’s a piece of warm wood on the stand under the TV. Seriously, I’m getting a little misty-eyed just writing this.
I especially like the built-in clock and the scrolling text mode – it’s a small detail, but it instantly expands the device’s functionality beyond that of “just a backlit record stand.” When the music isn’t playing, PETRU isn’t just sitting there idly – you can display the clock or your own text.
And here’s one more thing worth mentioning, though the manufacturer doesn’t cover it on their website. My speakers are connected to the SoulBox S1 via a cable, but when I want to watch a movie, I switch the player itself to Bluetooth mode – and the sound from the TV is then routed to the player’s speakers. Meanwhile, the PETRU Sync PRO, connected to the same line-out, continues to respond to any sound coming through the speakers – whether it’s vinyl or a movie soundtrack. The effect is surprisingly good! The image is on the screen, while below it, a dynamic light show pulses in time with the dialogue or music. I wouldn’t say it radically changes how you experience the movie, but it definitely adds to the atmosphere.
Conclusion
The PETRU Sync PRO is one of those rare accessories that doesn’t try to be anything more than it is. It’s not a speaker, not an amplifier, not part of an audio chain in the traditional sense – it’s a decorative yet surprisingly well-thought-out lighting tool for those who care not only about how music sounds but also about the visual experience of listening to it.
And you don’t necessarily have to stick to vinyl. The holder is also designed to hold CD cases, and the line-in connection allows you to place the device anywhere – next to a computer, a cassette player, or any other audio source in the room. Its versatility is much broader than it seems at first glance.
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If you already have a more or less complete hi-fi setup, the PETRU Sync PRO will be the addition that gives your setup character – it becomes the real highlight, rather than just taking up space on the shelf. Especially if you can connect it directly to the output of a turntable or amplifier, rather than relying on a microphone. And, to be honest, in these turbulent times, little things that simply add a touch of happiness to your evening – without any practical use, just for the sake of the mood – are worth splurging on. An evening with a record now looks just as good as it sounds.
