Hi
Does anyone know of similar looking amps ? I am looking for an amp that uses large manual VU meters (no LED) but is smaller than the standard width (I would use an older technics or Uher main amp but they are simply too large for the place where the amp must go) . So far all I ´ve seen is the Technics main amp 1060 or 1080.
Actually I am more interested in the case / housing and the look (meaning I have no problem of replacing the interior too a better amp). So if anyone has an idea please answer.
Does anyone know of similar looking amps ? I am looking for an amp that uses large manual VU meters (no LED) but is smaller than the standard width (I would use an older technics or Uher main amp but they are simply too large for the place where the amp must go) . So far all I ´ve seen is the Technics main amp 1060 or 1080.
Actually I am more interested in the case / housing and the look (meaning I have no problem of replacing the interior too a better amp). So if anyone has an idea please answer.
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That is the first time I have ever seen that Toshiba. Not bad... not bad at all...
Thank you for schooling me.
For minisystems...
Kenwood KA 2500 and KA 3500 (no VU meters, but signal meters and that look cool).
No VU meters but yes, the Sanyo Plus 20 has some LED goodness.
And then there is the Aiwa Mini Compo 22.
SIEMENS system 666-6 with one VU meter.
But if you want VU meters in a mini system, then you can do no better than...
The Technics 007. 007... what an appropriate name.
Kenwood KA 2500 and KA 3500 (no VU meters, but signal meters and that look cool).
No VU meters but yes, the Sanyo Plus 20 has some LED goodness.
And then there is the Aiwa Mini Compo 22.
SIEMENS system 666-6 with one VU meter.
But if you want VU meters in a mini system, then you can do no better than...
The Technics 007. 007... what an appropriate name.
wow, the 007 is awesome !!! See, I knew this is the right forum to ask questions 😉 Man that amp looks so nice. I think this will be the chassis to go. Now let´s see if I can find and get one
sdoom, the 007 are very hard to come by.
If you look towards the Japanese or the Hong Kong markets (like the country specific eBay), you might find one because the mini-systems were much more in demand over there because of space constraints than over in most of Europe and North America. And if you have the chance, it is relatively easier to see these mini-systems in a shop dedicated to mini-systems only in a place like Hong Kong or Japan.
However, the 007 running with the not so good sounding Technics "New Class A" (seriously, who were they trying to kid by calling Class AB, Class A?) are still very expensive.
edit: Oh yeah, the proper model for the is something like the "Technics SA-007P" for the amp if that helps.
If you look towards the Japanese or the Hong Kong markets (like the country specific eBay), you might find one because the mini-systems were much more in demand over there because of space constraints than over in most of Europe and North America. And if you have the chance, it is relatively easier to see these mini-systems in a shop dedicated to mini-systems only in a place like Hong Kong or Japan.
However, the 007 running with the not so good sounding Technics "New Class A" (seriously, who were they trying to kid by calling Class AB, Class A?) are still very expensive.
edit: Oh yeah, the proper model for the is something like the "Technics SA-007P" for the amp if that helps.
yep you´re probably right on the "getting one in Europe" info. Sad to say nothing on ebay here . 🙁 Even the 1060 or 1080 models go for 250 euros....seems there are more people around with the same idea
regarding the amp interior I have no trouble with throwing the parts inside away. There are more than enough options on building a good quality 50-100W RMS amp here in the classic or in the chip amp forums.
The amp is intended to run a small subwoofer system for 5.1, I even have the option with a dual voice coil driver (actually it´s a push-pull system type made of 2 woofers) so a stereo amp would work as well.
The basic thing is I want to have something really good / cool looking on the bench next to the 5.1 receiver. If McIntosh would sell their amp housings empty with just the VU meters they´d probably make tons of money 😉 but those amps are just too expensive for me ( I ve seen they sell a clock that looks like an amp where one VU meter shows the hours, the second shows the minutes and that thing was almost as expensive as a McIntosh amp...) and I am living in an apartment so I probably couldn´t even use 1/4 of their power ... (yes i know there ´s no such thing as "enough power" .... 😱 )
I´ve seen a lot of palladium and uher main amps that also have theese nice VU meters but their housing is too large to fit where the amp must go and I m not sure if I could rebuild one of their housings to a proper fit without runining the look of the case. I m good in electronics but well, I leave metal work to people who know what they are doing 😉
regarding the amp interior I have no trouble with throwing the parts inside away. There are more than enough options on building a good quality 50-100W RMS amp here in the classic or in the chip amp forums.
The amp is intended to run a small subwoofer system for 5.1, I even have the option with a dual voice coil driver (actually it´s a push-pull system type made of 2 woofers) so a stereo amp would work as well.
The basic thing is I want to have something really good / cool looking on the bench next to the 5.1 receiver. If McIntosh would sell their amp housings empty with just the VU meters they´d probably make tons of money 😉 but those amps are just too expensive for me ( I ve seen they sell a clock that looks like an amp where one VU meter shows the hours, the second shows the minutes and that thing was almost as expensive as a McIntosh amp...) and I am living in an apartment so I probably couldn´t even use 1/4 of their power ... (yes i know there ´s no such thing as "enough power" .... 😱 )
I´ve seen a lot of palladium and uher main amps that also have theese nice VU meters but their housing is too large to fit where the amp must go and I m not sure if I could rebuild one of their housings to a proper fit without runining the look of the case. I m good in electronics but well, I leave metal work to people who know what they are doing 😉
There's one in Portugal but it's a bit expensive.
Technics SA-007P SA-007C SA007TL Power Amp + Pre-Amp + Tuner | eBay
Technics SA-007P SA-007C SA007TL Power Amp + Pre-Amp + Tuner | eBay
Have you thought about trying to make your own ?
Or there are these....Modutec Quality VU Meter, 3.75" wide x 3" high x 2.25" deep, guaranteed. ME | eBay
Or even these....Studio Electronics Rack Mount Lighted Dual VU Meter Panel +4 Balanced XLR Ins VP | eBay
Or there are these....Modutec Quality VU Meter, 3.75" wide x 3" high x 2.25" deep, guaranteed. ME | eBay
Or even these....Studio Electronics Rack Mount Lighted Dual VU Meter Panel +4 Balanced XLR Ins VP | eBay
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A McIntosh VU meter? Well, why didn't you say so?
There is a reason why I keep this link around (other than one day I might build one for myself).
http://www.tronola.com/Audio_Level_Meter_Article.pdf
Sure it isn't in it's own case, but the build is there, so maybe you can re-invent the wheel with some other case you might find. The other attractive thing is that this would be portable from amp to amp.
In terms of chassis, I have an old JVC casette player with the most nicest looking VU meters in the front and the case is thick and heavy. I was going to reuse it as a tube chassis or Chipamp chassis, which was the only reason why I bought the thing in the first place for $10. Only problem is that it is tall for a mid-sized SE tube amp and massive for a Chipamp. So I am waiting for the large PP tube amp project to appear.
Now the thing you might want to consider since mini systems are expensive as all heck, is to buy a smaller pre-made, ready-to-rock, chassis on-line from China and outfit it with new VU meters. You might have better luck with the dimensions that way and placement of the meters to the left or to the right or centered... all up to you.
@ overtheairbroadcast That is, in deed, a more than interesting link. Dont know where the guys take the time they spend into a project like the one in the pdf , but that is hell of engineering !!! this is what i like most of this forum, the enthuisats willing to achive the max out of nothing. To be honest this is why i posted this entry, to find an idea to get the most out of a little.
I sure know i will not be able to get what i want while only spending 20 bucks and I actually would go for a 200 Euro Technics 1060 or a 300 euro 007 if i wouödn´t know they had just stuck a 5 dollar chip into a nice looking housing.
The project you linked is awesome , but searchin ebay i found those old meters are as expensive than a working 1060 overhere. Also thanks for all the other input on the 19" PA level meters but they also are a heck of overprized.
overtheairbroadcast brought up a good idea of getting an old tape deck to pull the meters. that was my first thought getting a unit with large meteres and pull the gauges but that is a whole bunch of work , always keep in mind a stupid CANTON active woofer is 150 Dollars new..... What I am feeling unsure is , am i the only one looking for old style analog meters ?
Thanks for the input guys , maybe building my own amp is the way to go (based on a 1298v or a TDA 7294 shouldn´t be much of a chalenge) re -doing a large manual gauge.
For how it may concern, i found a couple of guys on ebay that do laser cutting PVC / plexyglas profiles meaning they offer a low cost alternative for high end finished front plates of a housing. Maybe I stick with them and have them do the "optical" work while I re - do an old analog meter gauge. Thanks again for the input .
Kind regards
Stephan
I sure know i will not be able to get what i want while only spending 20 bucks and I actually would go for a 200 Euro Technics 1060 or a 300 euro 007 if i wouödn´t know they had just stuck a 5 dollar chip into a nice looking housing.
The project you linked is awesome , but searchin ebay i found those old meters are as expensive than a working 1060 overhere. Also thanks for all the other input on the 19" PA level meters but they also are a heck of overprized.
overtheairbroadcast brought up a good idea of getting an old tape deck to pull the meters. that was my first thought getting a unit with large meteres and pull the gauges but that is a whole bunch of work , always keep in mind a stupid CANTON active woofer is 150 Dollars new..... What I am feeling unsure is , am i the only one looking for old style analog meters ?
Thanks for the input guys , maybe building my own amp is the way to go (based on a 1298v or a TDA 7294 shouldn´t be much of a chalenge) re -doing a large manual gauge.
For how it may concern, i found a couple of guys on ebay that do laser cutting PVC / plexyglas profiles meaning they offer a low cost alternative for high end finished front plates of a housing. Maybe I stick with them and have them do the "optical" work while I re - do an old analog meter gauge. Thanks again for the input .
Kind regards
Stephan
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