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A simple VU meter connection or mass carnage & destruction?

Meekel

Meekel

New Member
I would like to add an external VU meter to my system, however I want to avoid any risk of sound distortion that may occur while the sound travels through the meter. My amp has an A, B, A/B speaker switch feature. If I use the "A" speaker output for my speakers, use the "B" speaker output for the VU meter only (no speakers attached,) and select the speaker switch on my amp to "A/B" (sound travels through both "A" and "B" outputs,) have I found a simple solution for connecting a VU meter with no chance of meter distortion, or will I damage my VU meter or amp? My speakers have 100% efficiency so I will not be using much power, but my concern is the unused power sent to the "B" output without speakers attached might damage something. Thoughts?
 
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What is your amp?

Generally that should be ok. The A/B connection is simply a parallel connection to a point where power is available. The notion that there will be unused power at the VU/B spkrs is not correct. You could have simply connected the VU meters to set A in parallel with spkrs however using set B allows you to select when you want the VU meters in play. Not a big fan of VU meters, doesn't add to SQ and another thing that sometimes requires repair.

edit I assume you are going to copy the meter drive off one of the vintage amps?
 
My amp is a Harman Kardon with 65 watts per channel. My 15" full range speakers need very little power, however they can really shake the house.
Good to know, thank you for the information. My main concern was the VU meter would generate excess heat.
Yeah I agree VU meters are quite frivolous. Growing up my uncle had a shiny aluminum shrouded Yamaha amp with VU meters... thought they were pretty cool. I think it might be nice if I can switch on the "eye candy" whenever I am in a nostalgic mood.
Yes Sir, I would like to copy something similar to a Mcintosh amp with the famous blue VU meters
 
Meekel said:
My speakers have 100% efficiency so I will not be using much power, but my concern is the unused power sent to the "B" output without speakers attached might damage something.
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100% efficiency???? Did you mean 100dB for 1W at 1m?
There isn't really any power being sent anywhere. The outputs of the amplifier are voltage outputs. The power dissipated is determined by the impedance of the load. Your speakers, being 8 ohms (or whatever they are), are a low impedance and so will dissipate up to 65 watts. A VU meter, if it is a high impedance, will dissipate very little power. The details of the meters would have to be known to go into a more detailed analysis.
 
Correction...super high efficiency 8 ohms speakers. Average listening level is 1/10 of a watt. I do not know if I'm at 100dB for 1W at 1m.
Good to know, thank you. Do you have meter recommendations or specs I should be looking for when finding my VU meters?
 
mbz said:
What is your amp?

Generally that should be ok. The A/B connection is simply a parallel connection to a point where power is available. The notion that there will be unused power at the VU/B spkrs is not correct. You could have simply connected the VU meters to set A in parallel with spkrs however using set B allows you to select when you want the VU meters in play. Not a big fan of VU meters, doesn't add to SQ and another thing that sometimes requires repair.

edit I assume you are going to copy the meter drive off one of the vintage amps?
Click to expand...
Ya, but meters are fun eye candy. :biggrin:
 

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adnick said:
Are you talking about buying a set of pre packaged meters or some real individual meters?


VR
Andy
Click to expand...
My plan is to build a slim hardwood shell with an aluminum face plate, two VU meters and a few aluminum dials for a good look. I see there are VU boards with and without VU meters for sale on Ebay, but I'm not sure of the quality. It would be nice to know where one can buy good individual meters and board.
 
Lavane said:
Ya, but meters are fun eye candy. :biggrin:
Click to expand...
Hahaha
I like the look of the blue lit meters pic.
Also, a good meter MUST have an arm the is clearly visible as it bounces with the rhythm. I hear the Douk Audio arms on their VU meters are quite slim and hard to see.
 
Meekel said:
My plan is to build a slim hardwood shell with an aluminum face plate, two VU meters and a few aluminum dials for a good look. I see there are VU boards with and without VU meters for sale on Ebay, but I'm not sure of the quality. It would be nice to know where one can buy good individual meters and board.
Click to expand...

Lots of vintage options, if you can find some Simpsons they are very good, some have lights some don’t, you’ll also need to devise a low/high volume control, simple way is resistors and a switch….

Use Simpson meters in one of my systems

VR
Andy



:56C02C86-F84A-4DF6-A6C4-A26B01536E19.jpeg8785B0F5-D0C4-4F6A-B066-51184889CA19.jpeg
 
adnick said:
Lots of vintage options, if you can find some Simpsons they are very good, some have lights some don’t, you’ll also need to devise a low/high volume control, simple way is resistors and a switch….

Use Simpson meters in one of my systems

VR
Andy



:View attachment 3236279View attachment 3236280
Click to expand...
Great look. Did you build the tongue and groove wood cabinet for your amp? Meters are perfect. I was thinking blue lights but this yellow would work nicely. Do you have a source to buy Simpson? I also like the regular head screws used to attach the meters... ads to the vintage look of authenticity.
 
adnick said:
Lots of vintage options, if you can find some Simpsons they are very good, some have lights some don’t, you’ll also need to devise a low/high volume control, simple way is resistors and a switch….

Use Simpson meters in one of my systems

VR
Andy



:View attachment 3236279View attachment 3236280
Click to expand...
Yeah, because I am not using a lot of power I figured I will need the ability to adjust meter reading. I will research the type of resistors I need for my system and get a switch. An added switch on my face plate will look great as well.
 
Meekel said:
Great look. Did you build the tongue and groove wood cabinet for your amp? Meters are perfect. I was thinking blue lights but this yellow would work nicely. Do you have a source to buy Simpson? I also like the regular head screws used to attach the meters... ads to the vintage look of authenticity.
Click to expand...
Thanks much, yeah all the woodwork is my own, minus the old wallpaper table, the bucking transformer for all the amps and the small transformer for the VU meters are in the amp(s) case…

Check eBay for some just make sure they have lamps….there was a panel set for sale with Potentiometers, which probably wouldn’t require any special control other than what’s there.


VR
Andy
 
adnick said:
Thanks much, yeah all the woodwork is my own, minus the old wallpaper table, the bucking transformer for all the amps and the small transformer for the VU meters are in the amp(s) case…

Check eBay for some just make sure they have lamps….there was a panel set for sale with Potentiometers, which probably wouldn’t require any special control other than what’s there.


VR
Andy
Click to expand...
Excellent, Will do. Thanks for the info!
 
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