Amps with meters ...


are just a lot better than amps without meters.


erik_squires
I like meters. and all my systems have oscilliscopes,YHD,harmonic analyers and real time analysis on scope for each channel at all times. Im a scientist/electronic Phd. retired and appreciate every aspect of "seeing" the music and every aspect ot all its components. both desirable and underisable.
yea i also have a full spectrum analysis of the incomming AC signal. if its 59.99 hz instead of 60.000 im bothered. but thats just me.
my favorites are the ol dynaco st400 with big blue meters. for no reason than they looked cool rocking to the music. i was upset when the st426 went to leds.still have 10 st400s. running.
now some have claimed that the meters take away from the production cost and or the noise floor of the amp. hogwash... a pair of good analog VU meters cost like 20 bux in mass production supply and wired to and may decrease the noise due to very small inductance across the DC output thus shunting a few microvolts noise out. anyway im rambling cause I love meters. the more the better.
notice how a recording studio has atleast one on every track/signal path at all times. does it make the bands recording less---i dont think so.   ive even have a meterin each room in the house showing the AC status and all online hash from switching powersupplys that are near.and put big inline (3phase)inductors to filter it out. for no reason other than to know its cleaner AC. and im being nice to the electronics... LOL.
also you may notice by doing a market analysis that any audio unit of any kind brings more $$ resale working or not.1030s-present.
Visual aesthetics are different for everyone based upon many factors.  I love the big blue meters on my MC501s and also enjoy the rest of my gear’s visuals in low light settings when I am listening.

None of it affects the sound, it is all what the listener prefers to see or not see.
The meters on my ARC 160  monoblocks are not accurate. But they sure are pretty when I choose the lowest level of light in the window from which you can see the tubes within (one can adjust the brightness within the double paned plastic window on the face of the amp) . Call me shallow--- but since the amps are in my living room, it is an added bonus to the sound when they look good.  I would never buy a component based upon looks, but I would certinly not avoid one because it looks good.