2. amps-preamps
  3. 191373-130

VU meters added to Cambridge Audio

Cambridge Audio recently added vu meters to certain newer products via firmware update. My 851n streamer is too old, but the EVO 75 I use in my television setup now can display vu meters. Very cool.  Here’s my question — what are they actually measuring. They don’t seem to respond to clime changes and continue to dance even if volume is down to zero.  Are they waiting input levels? For fun only?  Are all by meters like this during playback? (The last vu meters I had were on a real to real in the 70s.). I’ve submitted to CA as well, will update if they reply. 
 

 

tomaswv
dr-boop
85 posts
 

From my understanding, no signal measurement, just an animation.

mswale
97 posts
 

Meters rock! I buy amps solely based on the size of the meters. I kid, but also do like meters on my amp, why is McIntosh popular?

middlemass
917 posts
 

Wow. My life is complete.

tomaswv OP
223 posts
 

This from Cambridge Audio:

A VU meter is used to measure the level of incoming audio signals. It provides a visual representation of the volume or loudness of an incoming audio signal. This will not change the behaviour or movement of the outgoing output regardless of your desired listening volume. Loud or Quiet, the VU reader still reads and displays the incoming signal. 

realgoodsound
57 posts
 

I have a "Neohipo" amplifier/speaker switching unit w/VU meters. They don't "measure" anything (unlike VU meters on a radio station console or a tape deck), but they are fun to watch.The British, especially the BBC, use peak-level meters, claiming the "VU" of "VU meter" stands for "Virtually Useless." Sounds about right for my unit.

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