Retro VFD Display VU Meter Module for Low Level Audio Signals

A Vacuum Fluorescent Display VFD may be ancient, but it is still sought for due It is due to its characteristically bright, yet soft, monochromatic display that many find pleasurable to the eye.

This module is an authentic retro VFD audio Volume Unit VU display. Probably built around 1982 - as the IC date code suggests - these are unused original equipment boards that we found lying around in a haunted warehouse. ;-)

This model has an on-board transistor preamplifier circuit that makes it suitable as a VU monitor for pre-amplifiers and other low level audio signals.

VFD Display: Futaba BG-41Z
VFD Drivers: Hitachi: HA12019
No of levels: 12
Power Supply Voltage: 12VDC 50mA Typical
VFD Heater Supply Voltage: 2.5-3V AC or DC, 70mA typical
0 db Input Level: 150mVrms Typical

Note: L and R channels are not perfectly balanced. One channel may have an indicator bar ahead of the other. Add trimmer at the inputs to manually balance the channels.