measuring output of DAC/preamp with multimeter

[olds1959special]

My Xduoo TA-84 has a pre out function and I want to test the output voltage when the volume is all the way and it's on the low gain setting. I tried to play a 1khz sine tone at full volume generated by Audacity and measured the + and - of one of the RCA's with my multimeter on the V setting, but the reading kept changing and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. How do I do this?

 

[olds1959special]

oh it has a AC DC mode button

found the max output on low gain is too hot and by turning the volume down one notch it goes to 2.1V.

 

[Chrispy]

For rca 2v is fine, what's your issue?

 

[staticV3]

Use a 60Hz sine wave (or ~200Hz if you suspect your DUT might roll off early).

Too high a frequency and you risk going outside the measurement range of your multimeter, resulting in low voltage readings.

You can use the REW Generator to export test tones in .WAV

 

[olds1959special]

Use a 60Hz sine wave (or ~200Hz if you suspect your DUT might roll off early).

Too high a frequency and you risk going outside the measurement range of your multimeter, resulting in low voltage readings.

You can use the REW Generator to export test tones in .WAV

thanks, I will try that, but specs for my multi meter say

Frequency:

10 kHz

does that mean I'm okay?

 

[olds1959special]

For rca 2v is fine, what's your issue?

at full volume it was around 8volts! one notch down is perfect, but I didn't know until I tested.

 

[Chrispy]

at full volume it was around 8volts! one notch down is perfect, but I didn't know until I tested.

So the issue is/was?

 

[staticV3]

thanks, I will try that, but specs for my multi meter say

Frequency:

10 kHz

does that mean I'm okay?

Probably?

You can check your multimeter's frequency response yourself by measuring voltages using a known good signal generator, e.g. a modern DAC:

 

[morillon]

for this use....true rms multimeter ;-) ( or test with 50 or 60hz)

 

[olds1959special]

So the issue is/was?

Not knowing what level to set the volume at for use as a DAC.