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External VU meter? Where do I find one?

11somekid

11somekid

Part-time Lunatic
I've realized the only dynamic visual indication of music in my system is a small electronic meter on Marantz tape deck. My receiver has a signal meter for the radio, but that's about it. I remember watching this Techmoan video about RCA selectors where he talks about Realistic's external VU meter option (https://www.youtube.com/#/watch?v=bsQafEQUfbo). I was wondering; where can I find one similar to the one in the video (around 2:45)? I like seeing my music as well as hearing it.:music:

Thanks!
 
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I have a Realistic APM-100 and it's a very awesome unit. Realistic made several different models of the APM. The 100 and 200 are the ones with analog meters and are the most desirable, as seen by their prices on EBay. There are some with digital too (like the APM-500).

The link to your video links to the main YouTube page, by the way.
 
orsen said:
i was really tempted by some of the kits on ebay
but then i found one of these locally
its ment to clip on to the front of a mitsubishi amp and be the face, but can be used with rca cables for any amp


View attachment 848254
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That looks awesome. The only kits I could see were ones that were just LEDs. The analog meters appear to be just for parts. I have little skills in circuitry, but I can follow instructions. Is there an analog kit that I just can't see?
 
There is a confusion about the purpose of the meters. Power meters will roughly measure the wattage output of the amp. VU meters will measure the line voltage of a signal (like from a tape deck to the preamp). My question is which one do you want as they are functionally different and require more then just the meter, they require driver boards and a power supply.

I have built 2 sets of meters for my own personal use, using Akai meters for both of them. They get their signal from the record output of my preamplifier and do a visual for me of the source device's output level and balance.

Wayner
 
WaynerN said:
There is a confusion about the purpose of the meters. Power meters will roughly measure the wattage output of the amp. VU meters will measure the line voltage of a signal (like from a tape deck to the preamp). My question is which one do you want as they are functionally different and require more then just the meter, they require driver boards and a power supply.
Click to expand...

I think I would prefer the VU meters, as I want average volume, not the highest volume. I do have a tape deck with some nice large ones, except one is broken(?) (It moves very little compared to the other). I guess I could use that instead.

orsen said:
there are analog meter kits on the bay
heres one of the nicest there .there is one that comes with a black or silver cabinet also
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Ampli...223202?hash=item19e65fd7a2:g:-OgAAOxyhodR0SsA


http://www.ebay.com/itm/VU-Meter-Fu...411299?hash=item4657014363:g:qMsAAOSw8w1YAYum
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I looks great, but why are they so expensive? Do people really want them that bad?
 
You likely want a more peak meter for show. Real VU meters with real VU ballistics indicate average level. As a rule, this type of meter is not found in consumer equipment and in the consumer world, more likely to be found in the professional world.
 
I have a BSR spectrum analyzer. Runs right, left or both channels. Adjustable input line level. I should have snagged two back in the day, one for each channel.
 
11somekid said:
I think I would prefer the VU meters, as I want average volume, not the highest volume. I do have a tape deck with some nice large ones, except one is broken(?) (It moves very little compared to the other). I guess I could use that instead.



I looks great, but why are they so expensive? Do people really want them that bad?
Click to expand...

common kid. what century you living in?
look at all the **** that goes into them.
 
orsen said:
i was really tempted by some of the kits on ebay
but then i found one of these locally
its ment to clip on to the front of a mitsubishi amp and be the face, but can be used with rca cables for any amp


View attachment 848254
Click to expand...

I also have one attached to a amplifier. Nice and big meters. A bit pricey but look sooo nice!


Barney
 
Here is the VU meter driver board that I used: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yuan-Jing-U...546769?hash=item33987b4211:g:Q90AAOSwBP9UYOS7

Here is the power supply: http://www.parts-express.com/parts-express-12-vdc-300ma-ac-adapter--120-040

Here is the 12v plug: http://www.parts-express.com/parts-express-25mm-x-55mm-plug-for-ac-adapter--120-086

Here is the 12v jack: http://www.parts-express.com/parts-express-25mm-panel-mount-dc-jack--090-479

I see the jack is no longer available. You'll have to look elsewhere, like digikey.

Here is the project box: http://www.parts-express.com/parts-express-desktop-plastic-project-case-box-885-x-65-x-354--320-486

You will have to search on Ebay or elsewhere to find VU meters.

You will also need a pair of RCA jacks if you want to plug in from your line out.
 
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