Douk Audio VU2PRO Needs Your Opinions!--The Upgraded Version of Douk Audio VU2.

[mhardy6647]

Assuming we are looking at peak levels ?

If they're truly VU meters, they shouldn't be showing peak levels.
The "VU" (volume unit) is a thing -- dating back to the days when remote (radio) programming was carried on telephone lines (and I'll bet you knew that!).

A not particularly thoroughly curated or vetted reference offered strictly "as-is" and FWIW.

VU Metering

The VU meter shows an averaged signal level and gives an impression of perceived loudness. With a steady sine-wave signal applied to the input, a VU meter accurately reads the RMS (root-mean-square, or average) signal voltage.

www.soundbridge.io

EDIT: I did a search at WRH and there're plenty of relevant articles, documents, and counter-proposals of 'better' standards... but, at least from my perspective, a VU is a VU!

SEARCH: * RED* All Technical

All audio, electronics and consumer electronics sections

www.worldradiohistory.com

e.g.,
https://www.worldradiohistory.com/A...-World-Modern/1998/Radio-World-1998-09-30.pdf pg. 56ff

 

[solderdude]

Yep, but neither meter has 'VU' written on them.
The thread title suggests they will be VU meters though.
The bottom one states: peak/average and the speed at which the needles moved suggests peak level.
That would be preferred when it is supposed to be a power meter.
One wants to know what peak levels are present and average levels are not important.

 

[dualazmak]

If they're truly VU meters, they shouldn't be showing peak levels.
The "VU" (volume unit) is a thing -- dating back to the days when remote (radio) programming was carried on telephone lines (and I'll bet you knew that!).

Right!
I have been repeatedly sharing/requesting that ballistic behavior of "true VU meter" should be IEC60268-17 compatible.

All of you would please search within ASR by the key word "60268-17"; you will find many of my posts including #535 and #545 on my project thread sharing DIY built IEC60268-17 compatible large-glass-face 12-VU-Meter Array.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VU_meter#Reference_level

And, you can find dancing videos (with music) of my IEC60268-17 compatible 12-VU-Meter Array:
- Dancing video of my IEC 60268-17 compatible large glass-face DIY 12-VU-Meter Array
_____Part-1: with "High Frequency Linearity Check Track" of Sony Super audio Check CD: #750
_____Part-2: with typical "Full Orchestra Music"-1: #751
_____Part-3: with typical "Full Orchestra Music"-2: #752
_____Part-4: with typical "Jazz Piano Trio Music": #753

- New video clips of dancing 12-VU-Meter Array (IEC60268-17 compatible) together with all the on-screen Peak Meters of audio software tools while playing reference/sampler music tracks by JRiver MC, ADOBE Audition 3.0.1 and MusicScope 2.1.0:
____Part-1: using a typical reference/sampler music track suitable for high-Fq (treble) transient music sound: #974
____Part-2: using a typical reference/sampler music track suitable for mainly checking and tuning of low Fq (bass) transient music sound as well as total tonality Fq-SPL balance all over 15 Hz to 22 kHz: #975

 

[dualazmak]

I also repeatedly shared that my YAMAHA A-S3000 has selection switch for VU mode, Peak mode, and OFF (ref. here and here).

This is one of the reasons I proposed to DOUK about my dream VU/Peak Meter design in my post #40 having VU-Peak-OFF selector, if DOUK would be really seriously planning "PRO" grade meters (quite regretfully, so far, DOUK is not to be so).

Spoiler

 

[Douk Audio]

The Watts would only be accurate in a certain impedance.
Can the meter be switched between 4ohm and 8ohm for instance ?
The bottom meter scale makes sense, the upper one does not.
Assuming we are looking at peak levels ?

Hi, thanks for your comment. Here are some responses from our PD:

This thread is the VU2-PRO, it is designed exclusively for testing LINE IN audio signals. As a result, the VU meter of the final version will only display the dB scale, with the power (watt) scale removed. There is no speaker impedance selection option, as the unit measures the audio power from the LINE IN input. The reference level is set to 0 dB based on 0.775Vrms corresponding to 1mW.

Additionally, the video demonstrates PEAK power testing. A function switch is available to toggle between PEAK and AVG modes.

 

[solderdude]

Thanks... for the reply.

Just confused as to why the meters showed power levels.

next questions I hope that can be answered.

1. What is 0dB referenced to ?
2. Is 0dB a variable 'target' (just to see swinging needles) ?
3. Is it meant to be used between a pre-amp and power amp ?
4. Is it meant to be used before a volume control ?
5. How is the 'average' value obtained ? (the peak of course is clear)

Why not build a display like the one used on the D1 ?
That way people can choose the looks of the meter.

 

[Hayabusa]

RGB backlight so we can configure every color possible

 

[dualazmak]

Now, I think it's time for me to step away from this thread.

In any way, I still sincerely hope that Douk and/or some other rather-HiFi-oriented audio companies will make my dream pro-grade IEC60268-17 compatible VU/PK meter (ref. #40 and #84) into a real product in the near future.

 

[mhardy6647]

That would be preferred when it is supposed to be a power meter.

But it doesn't sound like "they" intend for it to be a power meter... right?

This thread is the VU2-PRO, it is designed exclusively for testing LINE IN audio signals. As a result, the VU meter of the final version will only display the dB scale, with the power (watt) scale removed. There is no speaker impedance selection option, as the unit measures the audio power from the LINE IN input. The reference level is set to 0 dB based on 0.775Vrms corresponding to 1mW.

You all do know that basically any analog meter can be used if one simply wants to watch a bouncing meter needle, yes?
I 'made' one for my (mono) EICO HF-52 (push-pull El34) integrated amplifier out of an old, scavenged B&K tube tester meter (and a resistor) when I was in high school.
I had that meter for years... but I don't think I have it any more.
A VTVM will work fine if one happens to have one lurking in a corner someplace.
OK, yeah, you'll need two for stereo.