Level Matching?

[Bigron]

Just a quickie, what setting do I have my multimeter on to level match the outputs at my speaker terminals?
I'm looking to listen to the difference between two Dacs

I’ve used it on 240v and 12v for mains and car batteries. Not sure what I need to set it for amplifier output though.

 

[voodooless]

Use the AC voltage setting.

 

[Bigron]

Use the AC voltage setting.

Thanks, Set 20v? There’s a 2v setting, is that too low?
I was going to use a sine wave, it there a best range to use?

 

[witwald]

Keep in mind that 2.83V RMS input at the loudspeaker terminals can generate between 83dB and 95dB SPL, depending on the loudspeaker. You can do an initial test with say 1.5V on the 2V range to see if you get a sufficient SPL for the purposes of your listening evaluation. If that's too low, then I guess it points to using the 20V setting and a higher input voltage than 1.5V?

 

[staticV3]

Thanks, Set 20v? There’s a 2v setting, is that too low?

Use the lowest range that can still read your signal.

I was going to use a sine wave, it there a best range to use?

Multimeters are calibrated at 50/60Hz, but that's for reading absolute values.

When matching, you're interested in relative values (between Amps), so the frequency doesn't really matter.

If the Multimeter is slightly off because of the frequency, it'll be off by the same amount for both Amps so the relative difference is preserved.

Bottom line don't go too high in frequency to protect your ears and tweeters, and don't go too low as your Amps may have varying bass roll-off.

Somewhere between 80-400Hz should be fine.

 

[voodooless]

Best set the volume to a comfortabel level with the music you intend to test with, then play a sine tone at 0dBFS like @staticV3 suggested, and measure that voltage. You can then use this as a reference to match against.

 

[Purité Audio]

Just a quickie, what setting do I have my multimeter on to level match the outputs at my speaker terminals?
I'm looking to listen to the difference between two Dacs

I’ve used it on 240v and 12v for mains and car batteries. Not sure what I need to set it for amplifier output though.

Measure at the dacs output.
Keith

 

[Bigron]

Measure at the dacs output.
Keith

Ok, I’ve had a go at the speakers with mm set at 2v, even at this low setting I have to the volume quite loud get any reading.
To measure at the Dac, do I just disconnect one of the RCAs and check that?

 

[staticV3]

To measure at the Dac, do I just disconnect one of the RCAs and check that?

Yes.

But for level-matching Amps, measuring the DAC is pointless since you have to account for differing Amplifier gain.

 

[Bigron]

Sorted, I had to use the millivolt setting on the mm. I couldn't get a reading using the 2v setting. I tested it at the speakers. The recently acquired SMSL D6S Dac is level matched to the Node 130 I have.
Thanks chaps.

 

[DVDdoug]

You are using a constant test-tone for the measurement-calibration, not music, right?

What is a blind ABX test?

There are two reasons for level matching - Louder usually sounds better (to a point) and people often describe the louder sound is "more dynamic" or other things rather than simply being louder. And if it's significantly louder the Equal Loudness Curves come into play and when you turn it up, it sounds like you've turned-up the bass even more.

And in an ABX test, it's easier to identify X if A or B is louder and that invalidates the test.

 

[Bigron]

Yes, I used a 400hz test tone.

 

[Speedskater]

When reading any voltage AC, DC or audio always start at the highest voltage range and work your way down.

 

[Bigron]

When reading any voltage AC, DC or audio always start at the highest voltage range and work your way down.

I couldn't get a reading using the 2v setting at normal volume.