Amps with meters ...

Back in the early 80’s I owned a Phase Linear 700mkII which had the coolest looking meters I’ve ever owned.   While I think meters look great, they actually do not represent any facet of music I care about.  

It is sound first and cosmetics second.   But all things being equal, I’d rather have meters than not!

SAE 2400 and 2600 had 2 big a...ss meters that were Awsome. You could set the meter sensitivity as well as the gain through buttons on the front. 

Mmmmmmm.... and equalizers with all those red LED's and a SPECTRUM ANALYZER..... I'm tempted to buy one and feed it with just an input signal so I can have the cool lights.... (dead serious)

I own a pair of Accuphase P-4500's 
I love the meters, I do at times depending on my mood, simply  switch them off and the signal by-passes them and the meters go dark

Meters cost more originally, and later sell for money than same model without meters. I sold my McIntosh MC2250 (no meters) earlier in the year. Originally the version with meters was +$800.00 more, and definitely costs more used than my amp without meters.

People love them, but, they are not well understood. Sensitivity switches are/were needed (just to get them to move) as most music needs very little power, unless you have low sensitivity speakers.

Here is Roger Russell's McIntosh site, click on 'Amplifier Meters', and 'Power Guard'.

http://www.roger-russell.com/mcintosh2.htm

As for balance, I prefer my ears, and find the Stereo Reverse option of McIntosh pre-amps very helpful. Then, I love my remote balance so I can tweak any individual track from my listening position. It is amazing how much difference a very slight balance adjustment can make.

If I had meters, fun at first, but after a while I am sure I would want them dimmed or off. Some cover them with tape if off feature does not exist.