Douk Audio VU2PRO Precision Edition is Finalized – Stay Tuned!

[dualazmak]

My dream is still in dream...

Spoiler

Ref. #40 and #59.

 

[Bessiara]

Hello. It will work on low volume? I bought vu3 pro and dissapointed that needls stay dead on low volume on max gain setting I need meters that works independently from volume. This model will work?

 

[antcollinet]

Hello. It will work on low volume? I bought vu3 pro and dissapointed that needls stay dead on low volume on max gain setting I need meters that works independently from volume. This model will work?

Isn't that the whole point. The meters are supposed to indicate the power into the amp. If the volume is low, there is (very) low power - that is what the needles will show - almost no movement.

 

[GGroch]

Hello. It will work on low volume? I bought vu3 pro and dissapointed that needls stay dead on low volume on max gain setting I need meters that works independently from volume. This model will work?

I see sensitivity or gain adjustments on the Vu2Pro designs, which should allow adjustment so the meters can bounce nicely (though not independent from volume) most all of the time. I agree, that is important

It should be simple enough to include an auto-gain mode (and gain indicators) that self adjust the range so you always can see movement. that could please both utilitarians and aesthetes

Isn't that the whole point.

Not in consumer amps or accessories I think, in recording devices and mixing boards for sure.

I remember it (Technics SH-9020) from the days I worked at Technics/Panasonic service center.
It actually was a measurement device.

That one does measure, but on consumer amps or accessories like the Vu2Pro (as opposed to recording devices/mixing boards) were never primarily for measurements, right?
On Pro Amps meters are quite rare, See Studer's Pro A68 (no meters) vs. the Consumer Revox A740 (meters). Pro Amps (where overdriving is far more likely) use Peak leds if anything at all.

On consumer gear, hearing sound but seeing no meter bounce, is not only unsatisfying but makes one question whether something's busted.

My tardy vote supports a Microphone option (for full transparent operation) as well as sensitivity gain, preferably automatic self adjusting. Alternatively, some kind of logarithmic scale could allow for satisfactory bounce at low levels without pegging the meters at high. How about adding out-of-phase indicators with dual stereo mics, (flashing bright red) reversed polarity speaker connections.

The "Pro" audiophile version of anything these days must include XLR connections I guess, but it is odd to be so concerned about noise to insist on balanced connections, yet not concerned about adding another AC powered device to the chain.

 

[solderdude]

Pro audio versions should actually measure a voltage level against 1 or more standards.

In the days VU meters were essential to record music (tape, cassette) the meters were functional.
As are (or at least should) be able to show output power in a certain load resistance.

The meters here are just eye candy. Swinging needles for the sake of swinging needles.
In 'the old days' they actually had a purpose... With the exception of certain power amps in which case they are functional.

When the scale goes from -50 to +5 you will always see needles swing even at low volumes.
With -20 to +6 this only makes sense for recording levels.

 

[Bessiara]

Isn't that the whole point. The meters are supposed to indicate the power into the amp. If the volume is low, there is (very) low power - that is what the needles will show - almost no movement.

No. I had phono preamp with meters, they worked always independentlly from volume. I want vu meters for visual Aesthetic

 

[Bessiara]

I see sensitivity or gain adjustments on the Vu2Pro designs, which should allow adjustment so the meters can bounce nicely (though not independent from volume) most all of the time. I agree, that is important

It should be simple enough to include an auto-gain mode (and gain indicators) that self adjust the range so you always can see movement. that could please both utilitarians and aesthetes



Not in consumer amps or accessories I think, in recording devices and mixing boards for sure.


That one does measure, but on consumer amps or accessories like the Vu2Pro (as opposed to recording devices/mixing boards) were never primarily for measurements, right?
On Pro Amps meters are quite rare, See Studer's Pro A68 (no meters) vs. the Consumer Revox A740 (meters). Pro Amps (where overdriving is far more likely) use Peak leds if anything at all.

On consumer gear, hearing sound but seeing no meter bounce, is not only unsatisfying but makes one question whether something's busted.

My tardy vote supports a Microphone option (for full transparent operation) as well as sensitivity gain, preferably automatic self adjusting. Alternatively, some kind of logarithmic scale could allow for satisfactory bounce at low levels without pegging the meters at high. How about adding out-of-phase indicators with dual stereo mics, (flashing bright red) reversed polarity speaker connections.

The "Pro" audiophile version of anything these days must include XLR connections I guess, but it is odd to be so concerned about noise to insist on balanced connections, yet not concerned about adding another AC powered device to the chain.

vu3 pro also has gain and sensetivity adjust but even on max sensetivity and gain its not work on low volume. But vu3 pro works with speaker wire terminals, vu2 pro will work with rca. Thats why i am interested how it will work on low volume. My phono preamp with meters worked always independently from volume

 

[antcollinet]

No. I had phono preamp with meters, they worked always independentlly from volume. I want vu meters for visual Aesthetic

That is because volume is controlled AFTER the phono pre amp. If you want that behaviour, then put the meters between source and volume control.

 

[RickS]

The final version of the I/O interfaces of the VU2PRO (Both black and silver will be available. However, the silver version only has silver front and back panels, the edges are black.
View attachment 514415
View attachment 514416

Will both colors use the larger meter?

 

[Mort]

Isn't that the whole point. The meters are supposed to indicate the power into the amp. If the volume is low, there is (very) low power - that is what the needles will show - almost no movement.

No duh. The point is swinging meters. Have you ever used one of these?

 

[dualazmak]

I really like and therefore I designed/built my 12-VU-Meter Array, all compatible with IEC60268-17 VU ballistic behavior and high impedance (ref. here), indicating/showing total L&R line-level output and each of the multiple amplifiers' actual L&R SP high level outputs (at amplifiers' SP biding posts) in my PC-DSP-based multichannel multi-SP-driver multi-amplifier full-active audio setup.

All the VU meters are located in the end of the signal chains, I mean no through-output signal of VU meter is used for further audio processing, so that completely eliminating any sound degradation.

At least for me, I have little interest in absolute VU values, but I am much interested, and they are actually useful, in visually observing relative VU meter behaviors (which are carefully adjusted to almost proportional to actual room air sound pressure at my listening position) in my multichannel multi-amplifier audio system.

- My nostalgia and preference for large glass-face VU meters: DIY of 12-VU-Meter Array in multichannel multi-driver multi-way multi-amplifier stereo audio system: #535

- NISHIZAWA R-65 VU meter plus ATV205EXT VU amp board is compatible with IEC 60268-17 VU meter specification/standard: #545

- 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

 

[Douk Audio]

Will both colors use the larger meter?

No, the size of the VU meter is still the same as the VU2.

 

[Bessiara]

No, the size of the VU meter is still the same as the VU2.

Hello. When new product will appear on market?

 

[Douk Audio]

Hello. When new product will appear on market?

Hi, according to the PD's plan, the VU2PRO is currently expected to be launched around the beginning of June. Thanks for your attention!

 

[Douk Audio]

Quick update: Below are the front and rear panel of the VU2PRO and VU3PLUS （The top one is the VU2 Pro, and the bottom one is the VU3 Plus.）, display the accurate level or power.

In addition, both of them will provide silver version.

 

[Jcrow]

@Douk Audio Any thought about putting a trigger input?

 

[dualazmak]

I would highly appreciate if you would share the same photos with horizontal and vertical aluminum rulers (I prefer mm scale) in sight placed beside products!

 

[Bessiara]

Quick update: Below are the front and rear panel of the VU2PRO and VU3PLUS （The top one is the VU2 Pro, and the bottom one is the VU3 Plus.）, display the accurate level or power.

In addition, both of them will provide silver version.
View attachment 520563
View attachment 520564

Thats really nice. So finnaly it can work in peak mode independently from amplifier volume level. I mean version with line inputs and outputs.

 

[Douk Audio]

Thats really nice. So finnaly it can work in peak mode independently from amplifier volume level. I mean version with line inputs and outputs.

Yeah, you are right!!!

 

[Douk Audio]

@Douk Audio Any thought about putting a trigger input?

From my personal perspective, I think this is a great suggestion!
However, the current mainstream trigger interface is 12V Trigger, while the VU2 and VU3PRO default to 5V input. If this feature were to be added in the future, what interface and trigger voltage would you recommend we use?