The VU meter

The VU meter

A volume unit (VU) meter is a device found in analog recording equipment displaying a representation of the signal level. In more modern equipment there were peak meters usually made up of a series of LED or fluorescent displays to indicate the highest output level at any instant.  They are used during recording to an analog tape or cassette to set the maximum recording level without distorting the signal. 

As a general rule you have to set the recording in such a manner that the loudest part of music does not exceed the 0 VU (100%) marking on the meter. That's when it enters the red area where the music might get distorted. There are a few exceptions however where you can push the level into the red zone when using Type II or Type IV tape in a compact cassette. Here are some examples of various VU meters found on some of the recorders found in our collection:

FISHER CR-4150 (aka SANYO RD-880)

TASCAM 112B - The Classic

SIEMENS RC 555

FG PROFI RECORDER 306

AIWA AD-F660 using a Type II cassette

JVC PC-D5L - basic on a portable unit

WEGA C120 - a SONY in disguise 

YAMAHA K-540

Lenco Italia MC 70

GOLDSTAR GSK-1100

TELEFUNKEN HC 750M

PIONEER CT-F850

PIONEER CT-S88R - a programable cassette deck 

JVC KD-V35 - with added spectrum analyzer

You can see detailed description of each presented unit here.

BRIONVEGA ZER0/1

This project was born out of the desire to combine a classic audio product, the turntable, with all the new technologies to create a Hi-Fi system that can reproduce any audio format.

BRIONVEGA ZER0/1

The result is the BRIONVEGA ZER0/1 a Hi-Fi system that incorporates a tangential turntable and a series of modern digital audio compatible formats such as: CD, DVD, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB. The system can be remote controlled via a front panel integrated touch screen remote control. The BRIONVEGA ZER0/1 is the work of Roberto Strippoli and Francesco Cugusi.

Tangential turntable

Top view

Touchscreen remote

BRIONVEGA ZER0/1

This is however only a prototype. For more TURNTABLE see here and for more CD see here. 

Vertical CD player (part 3 TOSHIBA)

Part 3 of our series dedicated to first generation vertical CD players from 1982-1984 continues with the TOSHIBA based models. Originally created by TOSHIBA as model XR-Z90 this player was also available in Japan as Aurex XR-Z90. As a leader in CD audio technology this unit was sold as rebadged units as well. These were the KENWOOD L-03DP, LUXMAN DX-104 and the Alpine AD-7100.

TOSHIBA XR-Z90

AUREX XR-Z90

KENWOOD L-03DP 1982

LUXMAN DX-104 1983

Alpine AD-7100 1984

Continue reading: Part 1   Part 2   More CD