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Can anyone explain the VU Meter renaissance?

Beats me I never liked them.
The only VU meters I ever remember owning were on a Crown CX822 tape deck. The big meters served a purpose there. But I do have a piece of equipment with a display technology beyond meters that now falls into the simply silly category, the oscilloscope on the mint Marantz 2110 tuner in the original box, tucked away in a closet. I always wanted one when I was kid, and some number of years ago I can't remember I found a mint example and bought it, just because. I remember using it for a few days and packing it back up. I mentally moved on, and I didn't know it until I satisfied the old urge.
 
In any case, the demand seems to be there and the supply goes with it. Just google and do an image search on: Amplifiers with VU Meters.

Which of course doesn't answer the question why, but it's fascinating to see these amounts of amps with VU Meters. :)

Results, page up and down with examples:
(yes, I know many vintage ones that are not sold nowadays, but still)

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See post 15, typically less then -10db - the previous smaller amp reached 0db,now with a more powerful amp I can relax more regarding headroom. And I know i do not need 300watts, 100w is more than enogh Even 45W is sufficient. Surprising how few watts are really needed, seldom more than 5 watts on 90db speakers and sound level rarely above 85db,
 
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This is ASR so lets be accurate. Stop calling meters on amps VU meters, there not. VU meters are for line level signals and there speed is calibrated. Amps have power meters (actually volt meters) and if there speed is as slow as a VU meter it will not show clipping, so whats the point? Just get a clipping indicator.
 
This is ASR so lets be accurate. Stop calling meters on amps VU meters, there not. VU meters are for line level signals and there speed is calibrated. Amps have power meters (actually volt meters) and if there speed is as slow as a VU meter it will not show clipping, so whats the point? Just get a clipping indicator.

Exactly. I tried to say that earlier but must have said it poorly. VU meters are for calibrating multiple gear so they have the same line levels, e.g. 0 dB in and fader set at 0dB gain, gives 0dB output for a test tone.
 
VU meters are for line level signals and there speed is calibrated
Exactly. They are a recording/production tool (although I'd rather have a PPM + hold).
 
Exactly. They are a recording/production tool (although I'd rather have a PPM + hold).
When the director wants it as loud as possible but the spec is maximum +3VU and -8db FS or the mix gets rejected, you need a meter that shows you both accurately. These were very popular on film mixing stages.
And you get the 2 foot wide ones to put under the screen, the place your usually watching. $1995 each
 
I feel my system is inadequate after seeing the meters on the Accuphase and Technics units. My Yamaha 2200 has small meters….
 
Hello everyone, unfortunately I have to admit that I didn't open this thread because of the "interesting" topic, but to check when car analogies start.

This time it went pretty fast. Post #57 by @restorer-john brings the car into play.
For this john gets the car analogy award.

But also the old school award, because the use of vu meters in electric cars falls by the wayside.
Yet the vu meter is the most important instrument of an e car, with the red zone at the other end of the scale.
But thanks everyone for the fruitful input.

I am now taking a break to go to the marquesas islands for underwater treatment of my tinnitus. I look forward to getting something to read from cars again in february.

View attachment 334736
stays healthy
Good luck with the treatment if you see this.

For everyone else... where's the wine analogy? (I don't drink, so don't know if there's a meter for wine except the breathalyser, which just loops back to cars)...
 
Why is appearance so important in audio, even for objectivists. :facepalm:

Because objectivists also have to recognize that appearance plays a role in enjoyment which in a different way to function. A nicely plated dish of food may have exactly the same flavour and nutrition as the same food slopped on a plate, but you enjoy it more. In the same way, I route my cables neatly, hide cables where they mostly can't be seen, have nice lighting in the listening room, decorate it with nice furniture and paintings, and make it a pleasant place to spend time in. All these things add zero objective improvement to the sound, but I sure as heck can tell you it sounds better when the room is neat and tidy as opposed to having rubbish strewn everywhere around the room.

Which room would you rather spend time in?

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or

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Specifically about VU meters,is about an illusion of control.
I,on the other side prefer V and A meters and it's one of the reasons I choose my specific amp modules as they have (scaled,analog) outputs ready to show you.
Which amps are those?
 
Good luck with the treatment if you see this.

For everyone else... where's the wine analogy? (I don't drink, so don't know if there's a meter for wine except the breathalyser, which just loops back to cars)...
A vinometer measures alcohol content and is reasonably accurate for dry wines. A hydrometer tests for specific gravity or sugar content and used extensively in the fermentation process. I have 3 of them.
 
Not sure the title and the opening post are about the same thing.

I for one am curious about the VU meter renaissance too, but feel

Why is appearance so important in audio, even for objectivists. :facepalm:

could have been thought through a bit more.
 
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