Measuring Line Level Output?

[Autotat]

Hello,

How do you measure the line level output of a source or pre-amp?

I have a Yamaha DSP E800 add-on AV Processor that feeds line level inputs to my stereo amp for the front LH & RH channels, but I have to turn the volume control up alarmingly high compared to settings for all other line level inputs. I want to compare the outputs to see what the difference is.

Many thanks.

 

[DF96]

Meter or oscilloscope. Most DMMs have an AC voltage range, although it might be calibrated for 50/60Hz it should be reasonably accurate for most audio frequencies.

 

[Autotat]

Ok, thanks. I'm going to really show myself up now. Do I contact the centre with the +ve probe and the outer shield with the -ve?

 

[gck303]

Yes, that is correct. Be careful not to short cause a short when measuring though.

 

[DF96]

Yes, although as AC it should not matter if you get it the wrong way round. One problem you may have is that music signals keep changing level so a DMM reading will jump around.

 

[cbdb]

If you can find a sine wave source of about a .1 volts to drive the pre, that would be ideal.

 

[cbdb]

Normally there is little sound coming out of those channels for a movie mix so you need the same source for each channel for testing. The other thing is there may be internal adjustments in the DSP e800 to change the level of those channels.

 

[Autotat]

Thanks for the help, but the problem that generated this request appears to have resolved itself. I shall keep it in mind for future reference though.

Cheers.