TonyD

A great place to start would be to answer M5's questions. How is the distortion calculated and at what point is it considered "unacceptable". I find it interesting in this thread it's promoted as a distortion analyzer, yet throughout the half of the video I watched you always referenced it as "clipping" and not "unacceptable levels of distortion" or "X% distortion level". Also, would be interested in knowing what level test tones you use for the measurement and include on the disc you say will be sent with the unit. 0db, -3db, etc? Last for now.....just for shits and giggles, I'd be interested in hearing your answer to M5's last question as well. We are considering unacceptable distortion as - 40dB from the fundamental. This is pretty standard. As far as the last question... is this a math test? lol Ok i'll play. 10*(LOG(1000)-LOG(900))= 0.46dB. Most people can not hear a 0.5dB difference. Though i'm sure there is someone out there who claim they can.

Hey Ctmaudi, nothing is really wrong with using a dmm to do what you did. But how do you set the input/output gains on a signal processor, and how do you know when your headunit is distorting or clipping with a DMM? There isn't a way with a DMM, and you can not trust published specs on headunits, or most amplifiers for that matter. Additionally most DMMs are very accurate when measuring 50 or 60hz (most are tuned for to be accurate when measuring household AC voltages), but at higher frequencies they become pretty inaccurate. Check the manual that came with your DMM. Even the best fluke's have more and more error as the frequency increases.

Dear Mr. M5, This tool measures DISTORTION. Yes it takes a lot of power to build a real time analyzer to measure distortion. That is what it does, that is why it works. On top of that I did it in 100% analog. This is not a toy, don't kid yourself or lead other people to think it is especially when you didn't know. Tony D'Amore D'Amore Engineering

DMMs check for clipping now? Where the hell have I been? If youre talking about an oscope, where do you get them for $150 new with warranty? Hmm... You post an ignorant post, you get an ignorant reply Never said a DMM would test for clipping, but I would rather have a tool that is capable of doing more then one thing for the price. Then having something that does one thing and one thing only. Oscilloscope $150 http://www.tequipmen...an_hps10se.html Your oscope might show "clipping" but unless it has a big high res display and you know what you are looking for your oscope isn't going to show distortion. This tool shows when an unacceptable amount of distortion is present, whether the distortion is caused by clipping or failed caps or noise. Many things can cause distortion