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Recommendation for MC225 external VU meters

Alfmonster

Alfmonster

Active Member
To prevent overloading the MC225, I was wondering if anyone had recommendations of external VU meters of some sort or other power output monitor.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
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Define "overload".

Provided the preamp is matched to the amplifier, not sending an input signal that is above the max, it will not be overloaded, then match the output tap to the speakers, 4Ohm tap for 6.5Ohm speakers and below, no overload.

Speakers don't determine the amount of power coming from the amplifier, the amplifier does.

External VU meters though? I have a TEAC/TASCAM meter bridge (photo is from the internet):
upload_2020-8-26_17-45-17.jpeg

I also have (more for fun) a Stanton DB-80 that can be used:

upload_2020-8-26_17-47-6.jpeg

Once you adjust the trimpots to be where you're getting to the limits/clipping, fun to watch the dancing LEDs.
 
On the MPI4, the output display is shown in terms of dB with respect to any one of the wattage settings on the right. Each setting is indicated by a red LED dot to the right of the WATT selection. Here it's set for the PREAMP output reading.

Full output for each of the wattage settings is when the green column(s) in the display are at +3 dB. Of course this is just one function of the MPI4. After getting used to having one for a while, it almost feels like driving blind without it.

images
 
damacman said:
A C2300!
Click to expand...

oof that’s so nice - equipment purchases are never ending fml

BillWojo said:
When you hear distortion, it's overloaded. No need for meters.

Billwojo
Click to expand...

this is probably the route I’ll be taking in the immediate future

SaturationPt said:
Define "overload".

Provided the preamp is matched to the amplifier, not sending an input signal that is above the max, it will not be overloaded, then match the output tap to the speakers, 4Ohm tap for 6.5Ohm speakers and below, no overload.

Speakers don't determine the amount of power coming from the amplifier, the amplifier does.

External VU meters though? I have a TEAC/TASCAM meter bridge (photo is from the internet):
View attachment 1963921

I also have (more for fun) a Stanton DB-80 that can be used:

View attachment 1963928

Once you adjust the trimpots to be where you're getting to the limits/clipping, fun to watch the dancing LEDs.
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing this!! I’ll look into the Teacher/Tasman meters — I didn’t realize about overloading the 225 - but I was in discussion with @dcgillespie who was so kind in taking the time to explain the differences between gain and power. And when I realized that there is the possibility of overloading the circuits with an overage of power to the 225 by leaving the 225 at full gain and controlling the volume with the 110z. Variables also being the source I was using to play music. Again this concept of balancing gain controls/ power output, etc is relatively new to me so please let me know if I got some things confused.


62caddy said:
On the MPI4, the output display is shown in terms of dB with respect to any one of the wattage settings on the right. Each setting is indicated by a red LED dot to the right of the WATT selection. Here it's set for the PREAMP output reading.

Full output for each of the wattage settings is when the green column(s) in the display are at +3 dB. Of course this is just one function of the MPI4. After getting used to having one for a while, it almost feels like driving blind without it.

images
Click to expand...

@62caddy gosh I didn’t even realize that’s what these units were for! Thanks for introducing me to yet another gem! I also saw another one with a small green display - does that also do similar things?

Thanks again everyone for all of the help!
 
Alfmonster said:
oof that’s so nice - equipment purchases are never ending fml
@62caddy gosh I didn’t even realize that’s what these units were for! Thanks for introducing me to yet another gem! I also saw another one with a small green display - does that also do similar things?
Click to expand...

That might be the earlier MI3 but it lacks some capabilities of the MPI4 including the output power monitoring function.
 
62caddy said:
That might be the earlier MI3 but it lacks some capabilities of the MPI4 including the output power monitoring function.
Click to expand...

That’s great to know - I’ll have to keep an eye out for it as it seems a bit rare. Thanks again for the recommendation!
 
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