What equipment is needed for troubleshooting home audio? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: kasumyku
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2013, 09:42:55 pm
content: Hello everyone!I'm still a newbie in electronics and I would like to know what else is needed beside my multimeter to start troubleshooting audio equipment?I would appreciate if you guys can give me some names/ models.P.s.: budget is $300-$400Thanks!!!

author: commongrounder
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2013, 10:21:07 pm
content: Okay. I've been servicing audio electronics for 35 years, and the most used items on my bench are: A pair of "sacrificial" (as in can be blown up with out tears being shed) decent sounding speakers (with leads that reach to the bench top). Multimeter (I have two Fluke 45s), sounds like you are set there. A good soldering iron (see many threads for suggestions on which one). An audio system to act as a test bed for equipment that needs an amplifier or preamp (you can share the test speakers if you want to have switching) and also for general music listening. An audio signal generator (many, many choices; search threads on function or audio gens). A dummy non-inductive load for amplifier testing. At least 50 watt or more, 8-ohm resistance is good, and you can add other common loads for power testing as you progress. An oscilloscope (again a million opinions on EEVblog, just search), you don't need super bandwidth, but low noise and high sensitivity is desirable (CRT analog is fine and cheap). Things like power supplies for running 12 volt gear and purpose made testers for capacitors, transistors, etc. can be added as you find your needs expand. We are now way surpassing your budget, but there are things like an isolation transformer, desoldering equipment, distortion analyzer and more can be added.Whew! Best part is to have fun with the process and enjoy discovering what is going on in audio electronics.

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2013, 10:33:15 pm
content: That depends. If you only want to troubleshoot/develop analog audio stuff you really don't need much expensive gear.Nearly any old analog scope will do, I'd recommend a dual channel >20MHz scope. They can easily be found second hand. Makers like Philips, Hameg, Hitachi etc. all had plenty of them on offer.A sine wave generator with a range up to 200kHz (or even less) is another good tool to have, the less distortion the better. There were some very basic devices around, I've got the Trio AG-202 but other brands are available. Leader and Heathkit spring to mind.A lab PSU is an essential part of any electronics workshop. For serious audio work I'd recommend a dual output unit up to about 30V. You'll need dual outputs for op amp and power amp circuits. Current depends on your requirements, at least 3A I'd say. There are plenty of makers of those, the cheap Chinese PSU's are probably sufficient, though a used HP is nice to have.Your multimeter should be capable of True RMS measurments or at least have an AC range that works up to 20kHz, many don't.This is the essential stuff for analog work, if you want to go digital requirements will be different.