Digital Multimeter for Guitar Pedals, Tube amp building and repair  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: tommymariot
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 29, 2024, 10:45:21 pm
content: Hi guys,I'm new in the Forum. I write from Italy.My main Multimeter is dead and I'd like to replace with a good one.Can you suggest me a good Multimeter under 180€? This will be my main tester.I also use an oscilloscope to "see" what happens in my pedals and the item I repair.I have also Peak Atlas DCA75 Pro and LCR45 so I don't need Transistor/fet functions and Capacitance reading. I need mainly V, A and Ohm.I'm interested mainly on Bryman Multimeter like BM235, BM257s, BM829s and BM867s. I don't know which one is better for me. I don't have much knowledge about multimeter. I like simple and fast reading. I don't know if functions on BM8xx series can be used in my field.I'd like to know your opinion.Thanks,Tom

author: Harry_22
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2024, 11:42:55 pm
content: Greetings to a true guitar lover!Have you considered Fluke, for instance 179?There is nothing superfluous.My main requirement is a quick short ring response.

author: tommymariot
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 29, 2024, 11:58:45 pm
content: Fluke 179 unfortunately is out of budget.

author: Harry_22
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2024, 12:15:43 am
content: Quote from: tommymariot on November 29, 2024, 11:58:45 pmSorry, I thought it cost 100USD.

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2024, 03:32:40 am
content: Any of those Brymens should be fine. I've never had one of them, but many users on the forum enjoy them.I've been doing guitar/amp/fx work for decades, but I prefer bench meters over any handheld. When I did use a handheld meter for that work, it was an Amprobe 37XR-A. If you like the idea of a good bench meter that doesn't need a battery, and doesn't shut off, there are many decent used bench meters out there. Some of them at not terrible prices. 😉

author: tommymariot
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 30, 2024, 10:48:58 am
content: Quote from: KungFuJosh on November 30, 2024, 03:32:40 amcan you suggest me some models?

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 30, 2024, 10:58:15 am
content: I don't work with audio gear, but I do own three EEVblog BM235 and one Brymen BM869s. And a lot of other handheld meters (121GW, Tenma, Aneng, Bside, ...) and bench meters (mostly Keysight/Agilent/HP).The BM235 is my favourite meter. Small, easy to use, good battery life, and reliable. I use the BM869s mostly when doing mains or higher voltage stuff, but that is mainly as I usually have small low voltage probes on my BM235 meters.Note that there are some new models coming soon, with Dave expected to have the EEVblog BM2257 in December.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-brymen-2257-multimeter/

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2024, 06:13:12 pm
content: Quote from: tommymariot on November 30, 2024, 10:48:58 amFor bench models? For me, Siglent has the best combination of price + quality for bench meters. If you're patient, you can find some really good deals on used DMMs. I got one of them used for $200 + shipping. The others I bought new (one of the new ones at a discount). Good bench meters new aren't cheap.On the used market, you need to be patient. People are crazy what they ask for used bench DMMs. For Siglent, look for the basic model, the SDM3045X which is $399 USD new, so used prices shouldn't be too steep. I have my SDM3045X upgraded to 5.5 digits as the SDM3055X-E. You might find a good deal on the SDM3055 or SDM3065X also, so keep your eyes opened.Or for an alternate option, do a little research, and you can (be patient) and maybe find a good deal on something like a Agilent/Keysight 34410A. However, for even close to the price of one of the Siglent meters, I would get the Siglent instead.Thanks,Josh

author: GigaJoe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2024, 09:31:01 pm
content: IF it would your main meter, then brymen 869 NOT 867 ; 867 cant measure AC in audio range, 869 up to 100Khzoption 789 NOT 785 for the same reason ...or 859 NOT 857range of 50000 extremely handy , you lock at 50-60V range , and measure instantaneously with 1mV resolution. basically all schematic covered by single range.20000 like 839 NOT 837 ( AC up to 4 Khz) also handy .... but really it shot in the leg just for additional 50 euro , to have 50000 ; in rare case you may need 5 digits on voltage, where some DMM can provide.don't even look at 4000 or 6000 counts , it mostly supplement DMM not a main one. you need at least 20K range , 100kHz True RMS and AC+DC as optionAh ... Scope + multimeter + func. gen. in one box , became quite popular in last fe w years ...https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005006064115574.htmli bought 242S - very handy as a scope, DMM a bit slow but 20K resolution, didnt use func. gen ...

author: tommymariot
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 30, 2024, 11:48:31 pm
content: Quote from: GigaJoe on November 30, 2024, 09:31:01 pmWhat do you think of the BM829s?

author: GigaJoe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2024, 03:22:34 am
content: BM829s - negatively10K count , cat4 1000V , it looks like for electrician job ; not electronicsmaybe 839 ...but look: it just 20 euro difference .. and you get 60000 , and much better stabilityBM829s €145.29 (€178.71 Tax Included)BM839 €150.37 (€184.96 Tax Included)BM789€159.11 (€195.71 Tax Included)otherwise get Chinesehttps://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005008089568850.htmlwith discount coupon you will pay around 40 euro , and live happily ..

author: cte
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2024, 10:05:10 am
content: I'd vote for the BM789 (2nd from left in picture). Best compromise in size, good usabilty and a working auto-hold feature. The BM869s is really large and bulky and I dislike it having five ranges just for measuring voltage.The 37XR is out of budget, but it had best usabilty for everyday work. (The device shown is from 2007 and needs readjustment).

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2024, 12:53:16 pm
content: Quote from: GigaJoe on December 01, 2024, 03:22:34 amIt is actually the opposite: 829 is more for electronics (dBm measurements and AC+DC measurements, for instance) while 839 is more industrial (VFD measurements).829 is 10000 count (9999 actually)0.08% DC accuracy. Plenty enough.Autocheck (Lo-Z mode) is very useful for initial measure/discharge of capacitors in valve amplifiers.)BW for AC measurements is 20kHz.It has nS mode for quick check of really high resistance, like insulation (not with high voltage, but it will detect obvious leaks from carbonization, dirt and contamination)dBm measurement (you can set impedance, so set to 600Ω it is good for audio measurements in signal path or set to 4 8 or 16Ω for amplifier power )BM829 is equal or exceeds specs of Fluke 179 that is marketed by Fluke as "meter for electronics".. with less than 1kHz BW for AC.So my order would be (from cheapest):-BM829-BM789 (100kHz BW, it is better specs but single display, a bit smaller meter)-BM869 (100kHz BW, really a bit more than that, best specs)Make note that having a 20kHz BW is not really that good forfullaudio range.If you have 10 kHz signal that is heavily distorted, you will have significant energy at harmonics (20, 30 ,40, 50 ...kHz). So measuring it with 20 kHz BW meter you can easily have 20-30% (or more) lower reading of power going to speaker, for instance.In general a 100kHz is accepted as good BW for this purpose.my 2 c.