How to add VU meters to your stereo

We all like VU meters yet not all equipment has it. Here's how to add them to your system. www.amazon.com...

[@stonefree1911]

I will never understand why meters left high end audio. I've always loved them. BRING THEM BACK.

[@shipsahoy1793]

🤯They were certainly not useless back in the days when they were used to guide you for recording levels on tape !

[@rig4365]

If McIntosh ever makes a toaster with VU meters I'm buying one

[@finscreenname]

VU meters, weighted tuning knobs, tone controls.... where have all the good times gone?

[@SteveWille]

One “practical” use of VU meters is that they, when centered in the soundstage, can provide a point of visual focus. Placing something interesting to look at, VU meters, a glowing tube amp, video, etc, in the center of a stereo system’s soundstage, can help promote the psycho-acoustic construct of the soundstage. In a visit to Decware’s listening room earlier in the year, Steve Deckert described how they once had placed a piano that could be seen through an opening in the wall behind the soundstage in the listening room. While this was exceptionally effective when listening to piano music, it was even helpful enforcing the soundstage with other music.

[@thedogefather]

I always like to have something to mark visual center reference as well, and have found the same effect applies in my experience as well.

[@septembersurprise5178]

V.U. Meters are Fun, Fun is part of life, the enjoyable part, not useless.

[@willjohnson2722]

Everyone loves VU meters

[@XiaZ]

Just because you don't know the use of something, doesn't mean it's useless. This is one of the use cases from one of my clients: There're 10 sites that have a lot of bird speakers in them. These speakers must not be off, and the sound pressure level must be controlled. They already have CCTV on every corner of the building, including the control room. So, I suggest them put a VU meter on each speaker line and use the CCTV to monitor the level. The CCTV already have a mic so they can double check if the speaker is indeed working. Yes, an SPL meter device in each room that can be monitored remotely would be ideal (which I got the job to develop it later) but a VU meter get the job done.

[@jimalbruzzess2445]

Yes and.... there should be clipping LEDs on home amps as well. Not just PA power amps. VUs are very useful when approaching 0db.

[@Bob-us9di]

Many, many years ago I did two weeks on work experience from school - with a mobile recording team from one of the worlds best recording companies. I loved it - they taught me how to listen and gave me an enthusiasm for good sound. I remember asking them why they used a strange looking meter that didn't dance around - and merely had white numerals on a black background - and not a nice colourful VU meter. So they patiently explained what a very, very expensive BBC specification PPM meter was, how it worked and why they didn't use the far cheaper VU. Listening however - I really like seeing a nice colourful VU meter dancing away! 🙂

[@rbartsch]

Paul, I second your KISS ethos. VU-meters are the one and only thing for me I find useful without a technical function. It's calming to watch slow-acting 1700 Kelvin VU-meters when listening to music in the dark. I don't really need my old Technics SA-TX50 and it's more a heater than an audio system, but I couldn't sell it because of the huge VU-meters. 😉 Maybe I start using it again with solar-powered air-conditioning next year. 😉

[@Eric_DiRisio]

Douk Audio Vu2, 189 bucks!! They're huge and so much fun. Always love a nod to all the incredible recording gear of the past that just makes you feel warm and tubey inside watching needles dance all day the way a console would

[@zenflautist]

I have ordered this actual one and it’s arriving on Christmas Eve 😊 Thanks for the recommendation - Anthony J. Ashton

[@tuncg]

Vu3

[@Eric_DiRisio]

@@tuncg Vu2 vs the Vu3 is actually bigger and RCA based. They have different color VU options as well

[@rugerthedog396]

The problem with the old, "original" VU meters was that if you inserted one across a pro line-level output was that the meter would add small but noticeable distortion to the output. So, the best approach was to buffer the meter with some sort of high input impedance amp. This also gave you the ability to twiddle with gain to match the equipment's output level.

[@LuxAudio389]

I added VU meters to my system by buying a product with VU meters. Definitely not useless. They Bling. Lol 😍

[@rosswarren436]

Good that he can use them by feeding them a signal from "RCA record out jacks" and not, as he stated, "add any noise to the signal path". Cool. My vintage Carver M-500(t) has VU meters. Useless? Well, maybe or maybe not. At least I can see when I am "pushing it" and try to never approach the maximum power the speakers can handle. Usually though the speakers (and your ears) will tell you when they are close to being over driven. In any case, they are bling that is just nice. And nothing wrong with that. Indeed a KZbin channel called Techmoan has researched and described several of these VU meters and some that are based on ladders of LEDS. Yes, they look cool in a darkened room. Why not have some fun?

[@zenflautist]

Thankyou for liking my idea of running the VU meter from the record out jack and not being part of the chain. I have ordered a VU meter that will arrive on Christmas Eve and I’ll update this thread with my findings. All the best - Anthony J. Ashton.

[@medonk12rs]

I absolutely LOVE the VU meters on my Yammy integrated. ;) And no, IMHO they are not completely useless. The help me figure out if my turntable is well balanced regarding L / R output levels.

[@andydelle4509]

The McIntosh meters are not VU meters. They are power meters and calibrated as such. They even have a range switch on some of there modes. They are in fact useful if you want to monitor your amps power output into your speakers. The late Roger Russel of McIntosh goes into some details on his site (if it's still up) on the difficulties of the calibration in the analog days.

[@Another_Audiophile]

VU meters are useless but cool. Power meters from the other hand, like the ones in Macintosh, are not useless and serve a purpose.

[@Andy-xb5qg]

Just upgrade to a Mac. You will have also this nice warm and rounded sound we love so much.

[@JaysElectronicTinkerShack]

You just can’t beat a vu meter I recently made a Bluetooth hybrid speaker from an old cheap plastic jukebox iPod dock I used a circuit board and vu kit from Amazon they look great there’s a video of it working on my channel simple to put together

[@tonyberetta6989]

I still own and use in a daily basis a Proton AA1150 power amp. It still looks and performs like new. I bought it in 1993. I was beautyful big vu meters. I love them. I think I like it for the same reason I like vinyl and big speakers. I like to hear it but it gets much better if I can also see it. Its like having a great meal when you have a cold

[@josefbuckland]

If you understand how to read them and they have been calibrated correctly they are both cool and invaluable. Would never part with my Dorrough meters for anything!

[@stimpy1226]

There are still audio manufacturers that have view meters on their amplifiers. Some of them are quite beautiful. Several models of the newer Audio Research and other companies like Luxman amps have absolutely gorgeous VU meters and they may be electronic instead of electromechanical but I'm not really sure. Paul is correct, VU meters are pretty useless but they do at a nice touch.

[@OscarSanchez-tk3hx]

Love my Technics class AA vintage Amplifier with front Meters it sounds amazing and it rivals any new gear on the market today.

[@morbidmanmusic]

They are useful in the studio, as well as digital metering. But you wouldn't know that.

[@rosswarren436]

He knows that obviously. He's talking about for use on a home amplifier.

[@johnnytoobad7785]

I personally prefer the "voltage driven" VU meters on my SONY pre-amp to any LED or Power Amp meter display. When properly calibrated they can tell you how far way you are from "saturation" input into your power amps(s).

[@Roof_Pizza]

Make sure that they can run based off of signal rather than just volume as with low volume they won't move much at all. Had some on a Yamaha CA 2010.

[@dans550]

Cheapaudioman reviewed an amp switcher with VU meteers

[@ptg01]

I have the Douk Audio 2 speaker x 2 amp device that also has VU meters. Indeed, the Vu meter is good to look at.. BUT this device allows me to drive one pair of speakers (for now) using 2 different amps (one solid state Class D, one all tube Class A) ! That's cool even though purists are probably horrified that I am introducing "noise/distortion" in the signal path... It's such a great way to A/B instantaneously two different amps driving identical speakers.

[@Ken-vv3os]

Instantly? Don't you have to turn the amps off before switching?

[@rogerzindler8144]

@@Ken-vv3os nope. Both amps stay on.

[@Silverface1987]

I love this idea… I want this same thing thank you Paul… just what I needed. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[@zenflautist]

I have just purchased the DOUK VU22 and will let you know the results when it arrives and I have set it up - Anthony J. Ashton.

[@ShiftyCoin2]

my right ear gives me issues but sometimes I wonder if its the amp or my ear. VU's connected to speaker out gives me visual proof.

[@timothystockman7533]

I use audio level meters to set the level of recordings I make for my Internet radio station. I've been using a TC Electronic Clarity M stereo level indicator. I recently got a Dorrough 280D level indicator, so I'll give it a try in the future. They may not look as "sexy" as a mechanical VU meter, but the intent is so I can make the perceived level of what I'm recording today match what I recorded in the past.

[@elektron2kim666]

It's for recording at max, just below distortion. On play back (where they recorded with those already - hopefully correct) it's bling.

[@libation14221]

I remember my old FM tuner by Marantz; a model 20. It had a small oscilloscope to aid in tuning the signal. Miss that stuff now!

[@fraudsarentfriends4717]

I wouldn't say they are useless. They are good for recording and tracking alignment of tape heads and phono cartridges. When Compact Disc came along is when they began eliminating meters. The return of vinyl records should bring the return of VU meters.

[@nattaphoomtewarun9978]

there is still someone still like VUmeter even it's useless. Me one of them!

[@pravardhanus]

Glad that he did not ask for spectrum analyser (LEDs for different frequency bands of audio)

[@rosswarren436]

They are out there and pretty. Some are more accurate and useful than others though.

[@zenflautist]

Thankyou so much Paul for answering my question. I will head off now to Amazon and will send a photo when I have purchased it 😁👍❤️

[@Paulmcgowanpsaudio]

Sweet! Can't wait. Happy holidays!

[@zenflautist]

@@PaulmcgowanpsaudioHappy Holidays to you Paul and your family too 👍

[@Gharris4662]

I bought the HiFi Rose RB150 streamer for the VU meter displays which even work on the analogue input

[@anhdangduc1061]

Thanks for your video Paul. Exactly what I was wondering haha. I’ll skip this “mod” for my setup then.

[@roadhorse21]

Hi Paul. Can you explain why VU meters are useless, also what is of more importance than VU meters on say amps? Thanks.

[@glenncurry3041]

Not sure what Paul will say, but "VU" is a standard which included voltage levels, response time, ... The response time of "VU" is relatively slow. More of an average than even close to peak. And the "0 VU" is a specific voltage reference (0 VU is equal to +4 dBu, or 1.228 volts RMS). Not just relative as meters would be if built in to different amps. If you want to know when your amp is reaching clipping on peaks, "VU" will not tell you that. Then the question becomes, are meters (not just VU) useless?

[@ivanterekhov5369]

They can actually be more useful if they are used to display the input signal level on a pre-amp in decibels.

[@weevilsnitz]

If there were a trimpot somewhere to tune the VU meter to your particular setup so you know when you're at the volume you like for a room, that's useful.

[@cletusberkeley9441]

Precisely what I did two weeks ago. Bought two large face VU meters on ebay, installed them on my open-frame DIY crossovers which sits on top of my speakers. One series connected 1N7007 diode and a 10K trim pot to "calibrate" 0db = sound level I like for my room.

[@kodtech]

I've just added a VU meter to my system and I've discovered a phantom sound leakage from LR channels because my of sound card settings... Best 100$ invested in sound! 😊

[@spacemissing]

For recording, meters are vital necessities and welcome, but for output power they are not only useless but visually distracting.

[@Nordraw]

You forgot to tell how to hook these up. I am looking to connect to a headphone amp. The Douk Audio V22 to a Fiio K9 pro to be exact. Can't seem to get it to work

[@anandshah71]

Friends where can I buy exotic VU meters alone. I want to put in my diy amps. I love the Macintosh and Technics meters

[@zenflautist]

DOUK Audio from Amazon. About £120 when I bought mine 👍

[@hoobsgroove]

One thing would be good is a clipping indicator on the input of the power amp not something you see on Hi-Fi Yes but you have screens on your equipment, so there's no reason why you can't turn that screen into a VU metres just a bit of software. No get the LED 3D spectrum analyser metres They're cool

[@hoobsgroove]

@@Douglas_Blake yeah you could have that as well but usually people are not listening to music that loud but yes on a low-powered amp.

[@kc9scott]

One of my local radio stations (at least the last time I checked) has the signal level and volume compression set on their stream so it gets pretty close to the stream’s digital max, pretty much all the time. Most of their music is already highly compressed on CD, then they compress it some more, because radio. It’d be difficult to make a input-clipping indicator that’d actually detect clipping for an input like that.

[@hoobsgroove]

@@Douglas_Blake I wouldn't say it's only works on a certain impedance why should it, the peak monitor should be able to know impedance loading through feedback monitoring It's all about driving the output stage that's where the issue of loading is If you're overdrive it you get peeking

[@karlos543]

Ps. Read the comments below. We want them back!

[@markvanlinden1075]

QUESTION: If I just wanted to implement the VU meters in the Little Bear unit referenced here, could I come out of my integrated amp Tape rec RCA ports, clip off the opposite end RCA connectors on the patch cord and connect it to the IN amp connection of the meter? Does the VU meter need an OUT connected in order to work or just an IN signal?

[@zenflautist]

Just an input. I got the DOUK as recommended by Paul and they work just fine after setting their response. Hope this helps - Anthony 👍

[@danielmarmer679]

I want an oscilloscope for my quad receiver.

[@julioaperales1228]

Douk Audio makes them

[@zenflautist]

Ordered! Anthony J. Ashton 👍

[@VHKriss]

Thats very usefull , like this i also can give youtube advise.

[@mrg1911]

There are those of us still out there who grew up in the 60's and 70's and prefer the look of that gear. The higher end brands probably all sound great, but for me must look cool as well. Therefore my choices are narrow; but that's still OK.

[@MrSplit57]

“VU meters are useless but cool” 😊 enough for me, tumb up! Hahaha! But seriously, while listening to my plainfaceplate system, I ‘m looking with one eye to my vintage one, wondering what if…

[@AllboroLCD]

VU meters can be retrofitted to any modern unit. Ya get the meters themselves and a driver board, solder the board to power and output traces on your amp, dremel out your faceplate to fit the meters and oula!!!

[@brooklynknightss]

How do you hook one up to your yamaha receiver???

[@denniswaske]

be willing to bet that if PS had an amp with meters, it would be a strong seller. we don't have to be 100% practical 100% of the time. some say high end audio is not necessary (not me).

[@zenflautist]

Paul seemed quite excited about VU meters despite them not being really necessary on a system. It wouldn’t surprise me if they put out an amp with them fitted (maybe the next generation of Sprout?). Great comment - Anthony J. Ashton.

[@steveaustin7306]

I use an old eq with meters. Led but run from the second precut are power meters. If I'm running the totally red I should turn it down...perhaps.

[@artyfhartie2269]

You can also add joy sticks to your system.

[@FredMarvin-jp7bf]

I have 2 Bose 1801 Power Amps that have view meters and leds.

[@donpayne1040]

..but, those Technics SU R1000's are coming down in price though.

[@davidfromamerica1871]

You can add VU meters to the iPhones and Android OS phones plus the tablets. The phone uses one meter, tablets use two meters. Useless but Cool..😎 McIntosh has them for downloading in the apps stores.

[@ThinkingBetter]

Check Douk audio.

[@zenflautist]

Ordered! Anthony J. Ashton 👍

[@ThinkingBetter]

@@zenflautist Awesome. When listening to music it’s great with some eye candy.

[@DuncanFindlater]

Paul, love the videos but this one needs a slight correction. You describe VU meters as useless, this is incorrect, they are in fact Virtually Useless, hence the name. I actually first heard this joke in the context of level monitoring for recording, where I believe peak meters (which hold a peak value briefly) were preferred.

[@Paulmcgowanpsaudio]

Hah! Love it.

[@DuncanFindlater]

A little late to add another comment, however, the Audio Masterclass channel has recently added quite a good explainer on the use of VU in a recording environment: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHzNY5mbrbyInJI

[@mikeschuler2946]

Music itself is useless . You listen for the experience and enjoyment so if a VU meter adds to that then it’s just as relevant as music itself

[@Toymortal]

If I was dropping the kind of wedge I'd have drop one of your products - as well as wanting it to be well engineered, well built and sound great - I'd want it to look good rather than dull, grey and uninspiring. There's utilitarian design and there's dull design. Following the Apple school of design and doing it worse than they do is not a good look. At least you don't put hieroglyphics on your gear like Chord do though.

[@buckzx12r]

My ears are my VU meters.

[@BronsonTheCat]

Watch Techmoan! 😂

[@hugobloemers4425]

How useless are VU meters compared with meters that measure the pollution of the mains AC?

[@damianzaninovich4900]

They have to be blue and with tubes.

[@karlos543]

Yeah, perhaps your next meeting will have someone stand up and say.."VU meters".. we may get to hear about you more after that. Just saying.

[@BlAcKpHrAcK]

64-Bit Thelonious Monk - Light Blue kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIXHYmWGa85od8k 64-Bit Benny Goodman - Sing, Sing, Sing (1955) The Benny Goodman Story kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJK4nZ95hLuFhNU

[@d.w.96318]

Buy an Macintosh :D

[@Mark-lq3sb]

Not until you learn to spell it...................

[@d.w.96318]

@@Mark-lq3sb :O Mashintush?

[@Mark-lq3sb]

@@d.w.96318 Hopefully Santa can bring you some intelligence, but sense he doesn't exist you're in trouble.

[@infinite1der]

Check out @Techmoan He has reviewed lots of VU/visualizers on his channel.

[@Starter61]

I second that.

[@glenncurry3041]

Love a good set of meters! It might have helped to explain that adding "VU" should mean they meet some very specific measurement standards as to the voltage, the response time, overshoot, .... The "VU" standard does not allow for a good peak reading for an amps output. For just looking at the signal from a tape or aux out would be fun though. And one other issue. With your following and reach and from what we see, your environmental and societal concern, why not suggest they contact a local audio store or find one on line to buy it from? Rather than pushing Amazon right away. I try to support my local stores of all types and small manufacturers direct. And do not buy anything through Amazon.

[@jamesplotkin4674]

You make a great point. I'll try to remember that when I grab something from my Fridge to eat while I make a Xerox of my 1-2-3 spreadsheet and blow my nose into a Kleenex.

[@glenncurry3041]

@@jamesplotkin4674 And you are welcome to having Prime have them at your door later today! Other people care.

[@mrronenza]

Buy a McIntosh ❤

[@Roof_Pizza]

Rather a Luxman or Accuphase.

[@aweidenhammer]

Can I tell a McIntosh not to glow blue or green?

[@mrronenza]

@@aweidenhammer You can turn OFF the lights ...

[@garyharper2943]

But you offer balanced outputs, useless but cool.

[@geddylee501]

Would rather buy some headphones with the money, more useful lol

[@rainman3269]

Nothing wrong with them ... But listening at night with lights flashing around ... No thanks ... It's about the music ... Seems that's lost with the AUDIOPHILE folk ...

[@Baerchenization]

No shit, hm? Just buy an amp with VU meters...

[@nathanevans6277]

I'm probably the odd one out. As Paul correctly states, VU meters are completely useless and are only added for bling. I think they are almost always ugly and detract from the visual appearance of the amplifier. Don't get me wrong, I love gorgeous audio kit but VU meters are just vulgar. I also find that they are a distraction, you end up watching the needles dance rather than listening to the music. If your system is so boring that you prefer watching the needles then you either need to change your system or your taste in music.

[@davepostma2695]

Well thats a pretty useless video, u need to change the headline