What do you do about all those LEDs?

[designmule]

Between my pre-amp, amp, DAC, USB to SPDIF converter, etc., etc., my room is all aglow with little red, blue and green LEDs. Seasonally festive...maybe but I prefer a listening room that is a bit darker. I was thinking about making a fabric "sock" to go over my equipment rack (I'd just have to be sure the remote works).

 

Does anyone have any other suggestions or thoughts on the above?

[Jabs1542]

First, make sure you don't interfere with the egress of heat from the components.

 

Second, you would be surprised what a teeny tiny circular piece of black electrical tape can do. It doesn't have to cover the entire LED, just the bullseye which is the brightest part. This leaves the glow of the LED without being a directed light source - and it's cheap to try.

[blownsi]

Sharpie or electrical tape.

[Bear]

Glad to hear I am not the only one that is driven slightly batty by all these lights. It is amazing how just one or two of these little lights can light up a whole room when all other lights are off. Especially a problem in the bedroom - our electronics are now in the closet - but even the one light from TV lights the room up. The tape solution does work to some extent but if you really do need all these lights supply a design so they can be covered up with a cap or something!

[Jabs1542]

Sharpie or electrical tape.

 

Sharpie - Genious! Like the Whammo frisbee. It is a PITA cutting little circles and then applying them exactly where you want them.

[designmule]

Sharpie or electrical tape.

 

How does the equipment look when you have the lights (the room lights) on? Does it still look fine or does it then look like you took a sharpie you your hifi?

[Jabs1542]

How does the equipment look when you have the lights (the room lights) on? Does it still look fine or does it then look like you took a sharpie you your hifi?

 

Well it looks better than after that brilliant trick with the Dremmel

 

Ideally, little caps made on a 3D printer would be best - a future hobby...

[rodrigaj]

After warranty, I desolder / disconnect them.

 

The very worse was the ugly green light on my Naim CD5, highlighting an ugly Naim Plastic Logo. I got written permission from Naim (through my Authorized Dealer) to disconnect them. I couldn't tolerate them for a 5 years warranty.

 

OTOH, my Naim Olive gear was left alone because the implementation of light to highlight the logo was done discreetly and tastefully and looked very classy.

 

I recently sold the CD5 and soldered everything back. Very easy to do if you have basic soldering skills.

[Allan F]

I use a black round Velcro "dot" of about 5/8 " diameter to cover the excessively bright blue light on the face of my LPS. Now, it is barely visible, just bright enough at close range for me tell that it is on. A package of ten costs about a dollar.

[babybear]

Between my pre-amp, amp, DAC, USB to SPDIF converter, etc., etc., my room is all aglow with little red, blue and green LEDs. Seasonally festive...maybe but I prefer a listening room that is a bit darker. I was thinking about making a fabric "sock" to go over my equipment rack (I'd just have to be sure the remote works).

 

Does anyone have any other suggestions or thoughts on the above?

 

This is what I use:

 

The LIGHTDIMS Store

 

Works great.

[maelob]

wow i thought i was the only one having issues- my bedroom desktop system glows too much- i just position my chair to block some of the lights lol.

those lightdims are genious idea!!!! i will definetily buy them

[Jabs1542]

This is what I use:

 

The LIGHTDIMS Store

 

Works great.

 

Thanks - ordered a set this evening ++

[wgscott]

Does anyone have any other suggestions or thoughts on the above?

 

Little pieces of electrical tape.

[Stereolab42]

This is what I use:

 

The LIGHTDIMS Store

 

Works great.

 

This.

[designmule]

This is what I use:

 

The LIGHTDIMS Store

 

Works great.

 

Those look good. Have you removed any of the dots from your gear? I'm curious if they leave much residue behind if I were to one day try and sell a piece of gear.

[babybear]

Those look good. Have you removed any of the dots from your gear? I'm curious if they leave much residue behind if I were to one day try and sell a piece of gear.

 

I have removed one or two of them to reposition them. No residue that I could tell and if it does leave anything, it would easily wipe off.

[designmule]

I ordered a sheet of the black and a sheet of the silver LightDims and they arrived last night. They work perfectly! You can still tell the the LED is on (which is nice so you have confirmation everything is set as it should be) but the LED doesn't project into the room. The dots are small enough I can hardly tell they are there when the room lights are on.

 

Thanks for the tip.