Douk Audio VU360 Review

[xanalog]

@Douk Audio now lets do one with a spectrum analyzer please.

... a real audio SA that is calibrated... absent of mechanical needles and replaced by a 7" IPS screen.
And then, add THD/SNR/SPL readouts, while also giving it a SigGen and PC/USB connectivity.

Charge no more than $400, and we'd put @amirm (and AudioPrecision) out of business!

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

... a real audio SA that is calibrated... absent of mechanical needles and replaced by a 7" IPS screen.

... like the totally free DigiCheck NG from RME? Extend to an external 7" (or 5") HDMI or USB-C screen.

 

[amirm]

Thats wierd, no buffer at all?

Thinking about it, I wonder if it has some protection diodes causing that kind of distortion.

 

[Bob101]

I wonder if it will work if I connect it to an unregulated line output?

That's why sensitivity is adjustable. Should be just fine.

 

[Bob101]

Its a real VU meter (is 0VU +4dbu?) First one Ive seen with an output tho. Your not supposed to run your audio thru a meter just to it. Vu meters are slow, there not peak meters. VU meters are for full line level so any signal after an attenuator (what comes out of a pre amp/ goes into an amp) will show as low on the meter and change as you change the volume.
The more amplifier power you have the lower the meter reading. The proper place for this is in the middle of your preamp circuit, so good luck with that. The mic input might be a better option but the level will change with your volume setting.
If your only using one source, like a streamer, than you could split that output and send it to the meter (I would not go thru it, look at the distortion) and the pre amp. This would work properly.

Thies is a TOY, eyecandy. Don't take it so serious. Seriously. You can buy professional VU-meters and fully impedance match your setup lilke a professional mastering studio.

 

[JeremyFife]

Fun toy, and a funky little thing.
It's not hifi, and has no place in the signal chain!

It's the holidays, why not
(but not for me)

 

[Endibol]

Thies is a TOY, eyecandy. Don't take it so serious. Seriously. You can buy professional VU-meters and fully impedance match your setup lilke a professional mastering studio.

Some examples please…

 

[G|force]

For 3x the price you can have a meter that gives useful and accurate information instead of visual noise:

I'll keep using my Clarity M.
(Stock photo off the interwebs)

[edit] To monitor analog signals, one has to put an A/D converter in front of it. It only works with AES3, Coax, Toslink, or in a DAW or media player like JRiver with a plugin.
It also has RTA and a Vectorscope.

 

[Endibol]

For 3x the price you can have a meter that gives useful and accurate information instead of visual noise:

View attachment 500843

I'll keep using my Clarity M.
(Stock photo off the interwebs)

[edit] To monitor analog signals, one has to put an A/D converter in front of it. It only works with AES3, Coax, Toslink, or in a DAW or media player like JRiver with a plugin.
It also has RTA and a Vectorscope.

@G|force Thanks for the suggestion. I am however looking for “classical” looking meters with a good level of quality, at least having proper high input impedance.

 

[Bob101]

Some examples please…

Of What? Just Google 'professional mastering studio near **fill in place where you live**' and contact them to ask what they're using. I don't know, honestly. And don't just trust chatgpt

WARNING: SATIRE COMING!

For a non negotionable fortune any professional custom audio mixing desk producer still in business will produce you a one-off custom VU-meter bridge, to your spec, fly it over in a private jet along with their best engineers and install and calibrate it in your basement. Really. Money does that.
Then, and only then, you will know the true VU signal value that these conspiratorial cheap hifi-companies are hiding from you. And you will finally enjoy your music.

 

[Cbdb2]

Thinking about it, I wonder if it has some protection diodes causing that kind of distortion.

Then the distortion would jump above a certain level, when the diodes turn on. Usually there attached to the rails so the input cant exceed those. The signal needs to be rectified, maybe thats leaking back. Are they actual mechanical meters? The coils might be leaking mag field into the circuit. An interesting problem. Without the circuit and more testing its hard to say.

 

[GeriTheBiker]

Why I am not surprised you recommended this little toy? :-D

 

[xanalog]

Why I am not surprised you recommended this little toy? :-D

Since you posed it as a question: Some old-schoolers would reply "Sure beats idiot lights!"

 

[IanRoberts]

A lot of balanced dacs have an extra set of RCA outputs. This would be cool for people with an extra audio output but I wouldn't run my audio through it.

 

[CuteStudio]

VU meters are supposed to be slower than peak meters,

Maybe, yes.
All I know is that when I hear the kick drum, I expect them to whizz up in a prompt way, and fall back slower

But regardless, Vu meters are awesome, the little needles waving does add to the experience of HiFi for me

 

[Endibol]

I just purchased the Douk VU22. The input impedance of the line input is 100 kOhm, so no more issues with this!
It even has a pass through.
It works fine! Only for fun, it doesn’t measure anything.