When troubleshooting audio systems, what is the primary purpose of a Digital Multimeter (DMM)?

The primary purpose of a Digital Multimeter (DMM) in troubleshooting audio systems is to measure voltage and resistance. By measuring voltage, a technician can determine if there is sufficient power being delivered to the audio components and whether the voltages are at expected levels throughout the circuit. This is crucial for identifying issues with power supplies or malfunctioning equipment.

Measuring resistance allows the technician to assess the integrity of components, such as speakers and wiring. If the resistance values are out of the expected range for speakers, for instance, it may indicate a fault in the speaker or a connection issue.

While measuring current, checking speaker impedance, and testing for signal loss are all valuable diagnostic practices, they play a more specific role in troubleshooting. The capacity of a DMM to measure voltage and resistance generally provides the foundational data required for effective system diagnostics.