Ok, Kinda Crazy. Adding VU Meters to Amps Without

[Emmbee]

This may be heresy, but is it hard to add VU meters to a staid meter less amp like a Hafler DH-500. Mine doesn't even have have the logo.

 

[Roy Skinner]

Crazy?

I thought we all loved to watch meters. I wish there was a simple method to connect vu meters like plugging in a component.

 

[krowmagnum]

There is....

Realistic made a few different models. This is the APM-200:

 

[bowtie427ss]

If you're into rolling your own, check out the Dr Zee.

Complete build details, schematic, and pics here: http://www.mzentertainment.com/studio_workshop_vu_meter_unit.html

There are also a large variety of board only LED ladder, and analog meter displays available.

 

[Emmbee]

What are the leads soldered to?

 

[Zekeman]

Not crazy at all! I would love to add analog meters to my systems.

 

[mhardy6647]

High impedance meters across the amp's speaker outputs with appropriate scaling resistors are all that's needed. The "power" meters in most (if not all) commercial amplifiers measure voltage,not power, anyway.

 

[gadget73]

right. The power level indicated is voltage across some assumed load. Depending on the amp, its calculated to 4 or 8 ohms. When you set these on a Phase Linear at least, you set it to a specific output voltage with no load. That voltage / 8 ohms = 350w. That doesn't take into account meter response at different frequencies, different impedance, or impedance swings in the speaker system at different frequencies. It just makes the meter (or LEDs on mine) dance.

 

[leesonic]

I'm about to do this on my development mule, AKA a NAD 3120 with a broken front panel. It's the mule for an output muting circuit I'm working on that mutes both the speaker and preamp outputs. Since the front panel is SO beaten up, I'm going to drill it for 2 x 10 LEDs. I'm using a Velleman kit, simply because it comes with a nice PCB layout, although I'll have to mount the LEDs on another board.

http://www.vellemanusa.com/products/view/?id=350543

Lee.

BTW, I miss those power meters on that Phase Linear amp.

 

[R-2-R]

These are all cool! :thmbsp:

If you're into rolling your own, check out the Dr Zee.

Complete build details, schematic, and pics here: http://www.mzentertainment.com/studio_workshop_vu_meter_unit.html

There are also a large variety of board only LED ladder, and analog meter displays available.

 

[johnny kojic]

right. The power level indicated is voltage across some assumed load. Depending on the amp, its calculated to 4 or 8 ohms. When you set these on a Phase Linear at least, you set it to a specific output voltage with no load. That voltage / 8 ohms = 350w. That doesn't take into account meter response at different frequencies, different impedance, or impedance swings in the speaker system at different frequencies. It just makes the meter (or LEDs on mine) dance.

 

[BOUXY]

There is....

Realistic made a few different models. This is the APM-200:

All L.E.D. only APM-500

 

[johnny kojic]

a total waste of time and money-but i too have a yearn for the vu- there are some plug and play ones on ebay- but expensive and not exactly fitting-size etc- with other sized hi fi

if you need serious metering i just bought a Behringer Ultra-Curve DSP8000 Graphic Equaliser- its got rms- peak and rta with mic input - for £57- ps i hate behringer-

 

[lokerola]

I have a NOS Realistic APM-200 on it's way to me in the mail. Can't wait to get it hooked up!

 

[Lavane]

I bought this kit. I haven't found or bought a housing for it yet. Nixi tubes are cool.

 

[jimbo2k]

In the late 70s, a company called Audio Technology made lab grade led meters for home use.If i remember right they were 3 color and had dual 17 led displays in a 1 rackspace unit with 4, 8 and 16 ohm settings and 25, 50 and 100 watts for zero db. They also had rca inputs and could be used for recording levels as well as power meters.Sorry I ever sold them. Great light show for the time. Someone on this sight bought them, and I hope he uses them well