Why so many VU meters?

[whoaru99]

While we are on the subject of VU meters, IMHO the most handsome implementation of same has to be the blue vertical meters on the Nikko ASTI line of amps.

Yeah, those are pretty cool.

I really like the big ones on some of the Onkyo amp too.

Personally, I'd take clipping indicators for usefullness over meters given the choice, but they seem to be more a rare breed.

 

[RaymondLeggs]

I guess there can never be too many VU meters!

 

[onepixel]

I guess there can never be too many VU meters!

You got that right!

 

[RaymondLeggs]

You got that right!

I wish I had one! :yes: it even looks like it sounds good! :yes:

 

[Strawman]

I guess there can never be too many VU meters!

I only use them 2 at a time.

 

[Dogman]

How about these meters?

 

[similost]

I only use them 2 at a time.

I used to love watching the lights on my reverb unit more than the meters on my Kenwood.. man I wished I had that reverb again... ya made me home sick for it.. :tears:

 

[RaymondLeggs]

I used to love watching the lights on my reverb unit more than the meters on my Kenwood.. man I wished I had that reverb again... ya made me home sick for it.. :tears:

I love flashing lights too! I have a small soundesign receiver that has LED power indicators for both channels and I like to watch the meters blink. the merers go nuts when its on full blast! :drool::yes:

 

[ponderbear]

Just got this Technics Peak Meter Unit SH 9020. Should B here aaannnyyy daaayyy now...no need for Viagra anymore.

Holy mother of pearl, that is a beautiful unit. For something like THAT... I say YEAH... outboard meters RULE!

From my own experience I have found dual metering helpful in two situations: first, obviously, for tuners (centering or multipath, and signal strength). The other, with recording media. I had a teac with blue fluorescent meters that would optionally hold the peaks while continuing the monitor the signal. When recording an LP, I would play parts of different songs and the peak hold gave me a good visual reference for setting the optimum input level. I think it would be every bit as useful for digital media, perhaps more so, but most digital recorders I've played with have pretty vague meters. Too bad really.

 

[bre's dad]

Meters can only go so far. Then you need to get creative.

http://members.aol.com/gto69ra4/audio/mvid1.wmv

purdy... I want one!

To me it it doesn't have meters, its worthless. If it doesn't have meters, I'll put one on it. What do they do? Who cares... keeps the kids and the cat entertained for hours

Kinda like how my 2 year old will stare at my Marantz 2226B until we turn it off and she cries, so we turn it back on. Beats TV... Yeah, she's hooked! :thmbsp:

 

[dshoaf]

When I was selling this gear back in the 70s, the most productive salesmen always evaluated any new gear that came in. These guys knew what would sell and quickly decided what they would steer their customers to.

The phrase was, "Knobs, Lights, and Meters". In that order.

The reality was that multicolored displays and meters - anything with motion, actually, did the job to convince a customer to buy one item over another. Now known as the bling factor, the analog VU meter pretty much still defines what folks remember.

Just look at how many amps McIntosh has today in its line up. For me, they pretty much defined the classic audio component look and have managed to keep it up for over 50 years. I think this is one reason why the 70s vintage gear is still popular, too.

BTW, I think Sansui was the brand that most understood the bling factor in the 70s with Sony being the most boring. The thing is that Sony was right in there with the sonics but catered to the customer who didn't want his stereo to be front-and-center in the house.

Cheers,

David

 

[sleddogman]

Out of morbid curiosity, are there any after-market VU or power meters that hook up to the speaker output terminals to give you a basic idea of what's going on?

 

[whoaru99]

Radio Shack used to carry a LED power meter; had one at one time, but dunno where it ever got off to.

 

[RaymondLeggs]

I love Stereos with flashing lights and Jumping meters! I think I got addicted to meters from my moms fluco stereo from the 80's with the massive 3 way speakers.

 

[Glen B]

Out of morbid curiosity, are there any after-market VU or power meters that hook up to the speaker output terminals to give you a basic idea of what's going on?

There's this (IMO) ugly mutha from Atlantic Quality Design or the LED meter in post #19 above which can be installed in a nice enclosure.

 

[Brian]

Well, Radio Shack had several versions using either LEDs or meters. There is also the Crown OC150, the McIntosh MI-3 and MPI-4 and from memory I believe Kenwood, Panasonic/Technics and Pioneer also made similar units. There is an MI-3 on the auction site for something like $750 right now.

 

[RaymondLeggs]

speaking of VU meters I was going to get a vintage SD tapedeck with built in VU meters but My grandmother scolded me! :tears: I always wanted a peice of gear with analogue VU meter... It was only $1.00 and it worked too and it was one of those auto track search decks too that allowed you to skip through the tape like a CD. :tears:

I guess 4 cassette decks and 4 receivers is enough...

 

[Face]

I like meters too.

 

[gadget73]

hm, you know, it occurs to me that the only thing I've ever had with vu type meters was the Realistic STA-2100 I had years back. Maybe I had a casette deck with meters, but I cant recall. I dont like tapes, and have never actively sought them out. I think someone gave me one once but I dont have it any more.

 

[PhasedOut]

Meter's, who needs em! Hey wait a minute, I do!!!:thmbsp: I must have hit my head while starin at em.