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METERS, METERS, METERS!!!

dave1701

dave1701

Active Member
Hello, gentlemen. I come to you today with a serious issue that I have discovered with my system. It has no meters! I went with performance and cost over looks when purchasing my amp, so I ended up with my Denon. While it sounds great, it looks rather boring. I have been using software VU meters when using the sound card in the computer as a source, but that is not quite the same as lovely bobbing VU or wattage meters. While I ultimately chose an amp that does not have meters, I do value them.

I was hoping that you guys could point me in the direction of an affordable source of large, back-lit meters to add to my system. I am not sure if I should add some sort of effects box, a different component, or what. I know equipment that look pretty (and boy, meters look pretty) tends to go for very high prices. I'm just getting ready to graduate college, so I can't shell out hundreds on meters. What component should I look for?

Thanks,
Dave
 
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I don't think you can just add meters, they have to be calibrated to the specific amp at least if you want them to tell you anything.
 
D'Amore Engineering offers meters that can be calibrated to be used with any amplifier - albeit they're designed to run off of 12VDC which can easily be overcome with a small power supply or wall wart.
 
4-2-7 said:
I don't think you can just add meters, they have to be calibrated to the specific amp at least if you want them to tell you anything.
Click to expand...

I've seen units that you hook in line with your speakers and display the wattage that is going to them. I suspect they are rather expensive due to their rarity:

162662-realistic_apm200_power_meter__vu_meters.jpg
 
Maybe get an amp with meters and then sell the Denon to balance the cost? Sometimes you have to bite the bullet.
 
dave1701 said:
I've seen units that you hook in line with your speakers and display the wattage that is going to them. I suspect they are rather expensive due to their rarity:
Click to expand...

And there are meters (albeit digital peak meters) that connect to your amps via another set of speaker wires at 4 8 or 16 Ohms. Works well.
 
Dave1701,

I used to have that Realistic APM-200 audio power meter. It works well but the volume has to be turned up pretty loud to have the meters move much. A much better option is a Pioneer RG-1 dynamic processor. The meters will move a lot not being dependent on how loud the volume is. Also, it doesn't need to be hooked up to your speakers. You also get the added benefit of the dynamic expansion effect which widens the soundstage. It comes up for sale pretty often on ebay but does cost quite a bit more than the Realistic APM-200 but I think you will enjoy it much more, I know I do.
 
twoengine said:
Dave1701,

I used to have that Realistic APM-200 audio power meter. It works well but the volume has to be turned up pretty loud to have the meters move much. A much better option is a Pioneer RG-1 dynamic processor. The meters will move a lot not being dependent on how loud the volume is. Also, it doesn't need to be hooked up to your speakers. You also get the added benefit of the dynamic expansion effect which widens the soundstage. It comes up for sale pretty often on ebay but does cost quite a bit more than the Realistic APM-200 but I think you will enjoy it much more, I know I do.
Click to expand...

I was going to say the same thing ,,but use a 3bx plenty of visual stimulation...
 
I build VU meters. I have made 3 sets of them (here is a photo of 2):

Picture 1015.jpg

These simply run off of the record outs from my AVA preamp(s). You need 2 working VU meters, 1 stereo driver board (this processes the signal to drive the meters), a wall wart power supply and a case to put it all together with.

Wayner
 
dave1701 said:
I've seen units that you hook in line with your speakers and display the wattage that is going to them. I suspect they are rather expensive due to their rarity:

162662-realistic_apm200_power_meter__vu_meters.jpg
Click to expand...

I got one of those for a real decent price a few years back.. they are cool meters. I was going to steam punk mine, but I got side tracked with life..

Now here's a cool set of meters I'd really like to have.. but talk about expensive.. over $1100...

628-1238.jpg


http://dspdoctor.com/628-coleman-audio-sm51-six-channel-vu-meter.html

Also check out Crookwood. They make a couple different styles of rack mount meters... but once again, be prepared to drop some big cash...

http://crookwood.com/vu-meters/
 
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twoengine said:
Dave1701,

I used to have that Realistic APM-200 audio power meter. It works well but the volume has to be turned up pretty loud to have the meters move much. A much better option is a Pioneer RG-1 dynamic processor. The meters will move a lot not being dependent on how loud the volume is. Also, it doesn't need to be hooked up to your speakers. You also get the added benefit of the dynamic expansion effect which widens the soundstage. It comes up for sale pretty often on ebay but does cost quite a bit more than the Realistic APM-200 but I think you will enjoy it much more, I know I do.
Click to expand...

I was thinking this also, I have a RG-9 available
 
kaplang said:
Music is meant to listen too. Not by watching a needle move over a numbered scale. And no, I am not in the wrong thread.
Click to expand...

So the gear is solely for producing sound? Should it not have style to match the environment in which it is placed? Should it be stashed away in a closet? Should designers who work on the aesthetics be fired? I believe experiencing music is more complex than just listening. If someone gets pleasure from watching the needles bounce, who am I to argue? BTW, I think meters are cool.
 
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kaplang said:
Music is meant to listen too. Not by watching a needle move over a numbered scale. And no, I am not in the wrong thread.
Click to expand...
That is your opinion and you are entitled to it kaplang. However the essence of this thread is that dave1701 likes meters and wants meters just like the other 14 posts before you showed up crapping on the thread. Clearly you have posted twice and added nothing positive or contributed anything constructive to dave1701's original post. Yup, you're definitely in the wrong thread. Let me get you your coat.....
 
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