Douk Audio VU22 Dual Analog VU Meter Display DB Panel MIC+LINE Sound Level Meter (Silver)

I had issues getting my equalized preamp signal up to the correct level to drive my audio power amplifier to its max. The Douk VU22 is what I needed, I got the one with the thick silver panel. It's a classic use for a VU meter, showing how hard I am driving the power amp. I can now verify by measurement that the input signal stays below the limit while watching it. And I am secure that I won't be blowing fuses or voice coils or frying anything. It's great!Oh it has some entertainment value too. I'm not using the dancing light show. But that is pretty cool.Maybe if you are running classic analog stereo gear to blast streaming digital music, you noticed that the significance of 0 dB input level is different now. Mainly because digital equipment refers to dB full-scale or dBFS, and zero is its 'hard maximum'. Then it is very easy to hear if you go over 0 dBFS, because all peaks sound awfully distorted. So you would never go beyond 0 dB input on the meters, or even touch it. (That's like 1.12 volts RMS.)With my old consumer gear, transistors or vacuum tubes, the dB term refers to voltage, dBV. One might want the input signal to run as high as +3 dB at peaks. That's 1.59 volts RMS. There may be a bit of even harmonic distortion on the peak, but you can push it without sounding bad. There is more signal headroom available, than on the new equipment.In any case, it depends on what is the rated input sensitivity, for the power amp to deliver its rated output.This VU22 measurement display device allows you to adjust your signal level to whatever the amplifier will bear, without exceeding it. It does not have any signal adjustment capability of its own, no boost or cut.If I did not already have a line-level signal-matching amplifier, I would have bought a Douk EQ5. The VU22 is sort of like the top meter-half of that unit, and just what I needed. (I might eventually get an EQ5 anyway. This is good solid gear. Looks great, feels great, sounds great.)I was looking to drive my power amp with an input signal up to 1.26 volts RMS, to get to my amp specification point. I measured the VU22 will put out this voltage when the meter says +1 dB. Problem solved. Watch the needle. Rock on.I simply adjust my preamp for different signal sources, until the meters show the signal into the power amp is bumping the mark at +1 dB = 1.26 VRMS. Then I can also run it up to +3 dB if I feel like it, no worries. Your required amp input signal will likely be different than this. (Unless you also have a Dynaco ST-70.) You will need to pay attention to whatever number your amp specs say.But the VU22 will tell you where you are, relative to your amp signal specs. It helps me avoid any unauthorized smoke.(Studio gear is different, will distort sooner, past ~1.2 VRMS. So I hate running into complicated stuff like old specs based on telegraphs, but my eclectic museum collection needs inputs that max-out at 1.26 to 1.59 volts RMS. (+1 to +3 on the VU22 meter.) Most folks likely need to measure only 1.12 volts max, or -0 on the meter.)OK, so here are the signal levels I found my meters were calibrated to display:(I set the meter in Red Mode with the VU22 meter display knob set at 'Max', then measured how much signal did it take, to get to a reading of 0 dBV, and each step beyond.)VU22 meter reading = Volts RMS signal0 dB = 1.12 v+1 dB = 1.26 v+2 dB = 1.42 v+3 dB = 1.59 v+4 dB = 1.78 v+5 dB = 2 vWow, I had a Sony Blu Ray that put out 2 VRMS and would overdrive all my analog stuff even without a preamp! (I bet that would totally overdrive a digital input, without an attenuator.) Then I could not quite hear my phono preamp output. Decided I needed to sort out all these different signal specs and odd units. Ended up with a small line matching amp and a Douk VU22 and a year later the combo still works great, sounds great.And the bouncing-needle meter movements or light-shows just add a retro touch of Frankenstein-Edison character to the museum equipment, while I confirm my signal maximums. Turn it up!

The media could not be loaded. This won't add anything to your sound, in fact it might even cause your system to hum/buzz a bit depending on how you connect it to your system, mine had it until I was able to remove the buzzing sound with a bit of tweaking the cables. The packaging is decent, I got a brand new item, it is sturdy and well made, lights can be tuned with brightness and different colors, Vu meter very responsive. I would say for the asking price it is hard to find something in this price range on amazon that has this much customizable features.

This device does nothing to improve the audio quality of your system. This device is purely only for a visual effect of a retro bling VU meters display; it does nothing but look old-school fancy in your system. It is well made and does its job well. BUT, it is, IMO, overpriced for approximately $100 USD. I only gave this product 3 stars because the manufacturer went on the cheap with the accessory cables, and for a product that costs $100 USD and is only used as a fancy light display for your system, I think that is ridiculous! Firstly, the power cable is only a USB cable (and a very cheap one at that), so you got to get your own USB wall power adapter if you want to plug it into a standard electrical outlet. Secondly, it does not come with any interface cables such as RCA cables. Seriously, for a product that cost $100ish USD, they could do better and not be skimpy with the cables. Highly annoying for this product to not be plug'n' play out of the box without first having to go find some cheap RCA cables and a wall outlet power adapter.

The VU meter works as advertised with no adver affects on sound quality. Controls are very intuitive and fuctional. Yuo don't need to have the device on for sound to pass through. Very happy with this purchase.

The media could not be loaded. If you’re reading this, you know why you’re here. Aesthetics. This thing does absolutely nothing other than “set a vibe” while listing to music. I wishhhhhhh they made a bigger rack mounted one I’d mount that puppy all day!!!Changing the color is easy, click the knob on the back until the color section has a red lit led light on the front left (near power button).This is a great device because most of the products in this category, ONLY have rca in/out without the “mic”. I am a firm believer of not mixing signals so the Mic option pics up real time audio and the analog meter does it’s thing.

This is a quick review of my first impressions. It’s a nice sturdy unit that that adds eye candy and some usability to my setup. The meters allow me to volume match my various playback sources with my pre-amp and amp. While it’s not a must to have meters for volume matching, they are nice to have.

Second purchase, second open box item.

The VU levels work just fine, but the lights cause this horrid noise to come blasting through everything. It's quieter when the lights are on the dimmest and absolutely shrieking when the lights are on full brightness. I would be happy to give a higher review if the lights could be turned off, but it seems there is no way to fully turn them off.