McIntosh VU Meters DIY Vid#1 with Eico HF-81 Amplifier

[@farooqashraf9672]

Great video. You left out the most important aspect of the video. How did you connect each wire to get it to work?

[@vintagetannoy]

Yes, I was not completely sure if it would work so I was recording intermittently on a phone without a tripod. I have just uploaded another video detailing how I connected everything including the power supply. Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX_No39_pcdpjKs

[@shenmisheshou7002]

There are quite nice, but given the very high price of these units even on the used market, something like the Fosi Audio LC30 or the Douk Audio VU2 would probably be a much better choice. These are aimed at the home system, and has the necessary hookups. I suspect that you could change the LEDs to a different color if that was desired. There is also a European company that makes beautiful custom meters but I am to lazy to look for their sight. I think they sell a component kit as well. There is al

[@vintagetannoy]

Thanks for your input. I will look into Fosi Audio and Douk Audio vu meters but I would really need a 19" rack mountable unit and I was hoping to maintain the authentic McIntosh look on the rack but McIntosh doesn't make it easy. Oh well.

[@shenmisheshou7002]

@@vintagetannoy kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipvFlISblJmmrbM

[@shenmisheshou7002]

@@vintagetannoy There is also a custom maker in Europe that makes custom VU meters. This has a very Mc looking vibe. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipvFlISblJmmrbM They have many videos on YT of different designs. I was looking at having them make me something and the price was reasonable. I did not do the project in the end, but they were someone that seemed promising.

[@mauriceprudhomme5296]

Don't melt that VU on that amp, I have one they get mucho hot lol. pretty cool!

[@vintagetannoy]

👍 Yep, it was only for testing purposes. That Eico gets pretty hot with those EL84 tubes.

[@AudioGuyBrian]

Looks like a fun project. Not for me though. I cannot stand VU meters with bouncing needles. Give me a spectrum display or Flourescent Display VU or Power meter any day. At least you can see non-analog meters from a distance. I have one amp with old timey analog VU meters and I hate having to walk right up to it to see if the channels are balanced and both working correctly. With a digital meter I can tell from across the room.

[@vintagetannoy]

Agree, the needles can get distracting sometimes. If I do implement some sort of vu meters in my rack setup I would add a power switch to the meters to turn them off if I need to.

[@MikeGilbert-zm9lb]

Blessfamy

[@AudioGuyBrian]

@@MikeGilbert-zm9lb I learned a new word today. "Blessfamy". Not even in the Urban Dictionary. You should enter it and give a description on whatever it means.

[@AudioGuyBrian]

@@vintagetannoy I don't even see them unless I am 2 feet away from the device. They are so thin like hairs for obvious reasons. That is a good reason why audio gear moved away from that nonsense and went to the LEDs or Fluorescent meters like the beautiful Pioneer Blue Flouroscan ones. Except for McIntosh which has millions of fans for the blue meters only. They could care less about anything but the McIntosh meters. Silly.

[@MikeGilbert-zm9lb]

I absolutely love VU meters my sound room is small so I got 6 of them I watch montering any input signal I throw at it sorry I spelled the word wrong it's Blasphemy meaning irreverence towards something considered sacred or inviolable.