amplifier DB meters


How come amps no longer have meters? I personally like them, I find it very useful to know how many watts I am using while tuning my system.

If you have a pair of speakers and they require a certain amt of power whether it be 1 watt or 100 watts isn't good to know? Lets say you are only using 4 watts to drive your speakers isn't this the only way to find out that you can use a much "smaller" amp rather than the 200watt behemoth you are currently using? Also vis-a-versa to find out you need more watts as you may be going into clipping or just always using the most you amp can give.

If an amplifier does not have meters can you hook one up or use a test meter to find out how many watts you are using?
Bob.
acoustat6
I thought most meters were installed because the marketing types thought that's what we wanted to see and served little purpose other than aesthetics, like the analog humidity gauge on a cigar humidor.
I thought the gauges on my humidor and amp were the same (except for the color - one is blue and the other is gold...)
I am looking at my rebuilt "Son's" meters tonight and lovin it! Even have a little Bob Weir goin down now.

I have the Son plugged into my 80's Discwasher SpikeMaster. Hmmmm diggin' it dudes.

I quit smokin those cheap cigars at least a year ago.

AL--

=== It's ALL in the music ====