What setting should the DMM be on when troubleshooting an amplifier suspected of not receiving an audio signal on the inputs?

When troubleshooting an amplifier that is suspected of not receiving an audio signal on the inputs, setting the digital multimeter (DMM) to AC Volts is the appropriate choice. Audio signals are typically alternating current (AC) signals, and measuring the input to the amplifier while it is powered on and receiving a signal allows you to determine if an audio signal is present.

Using the AC Volts setting enables you to see the voltage level of the audio signal at the amplifier inputs. If the DMM reads voltages that are consistent with normal audio signals, the issue may lie elsewhere in the system. If there is no reading or if the voltage is significantly lower than expected, it indicates that the amplifier is not receiving the audio signal properly.

Setting the DMM to DC Volts would not be suitable because audio signals do not operate in direct current (DC)—this setting is used for measuring battery voltages or power supplies. Resistance measurements would assess the continuity and integrity of the circuit but would not provide information about an active audio signal. Lastly, the continuity setting is used to verify if a circuit path is complete but again does not evaluate the presence or characteristics of an audio signal. Thus, measuring in AC Volts directly aligns with the need to troubleshoot