New amp tests?
Posted: July 20th, 2016, 6:16 pm
So, I've finally fully built the circuitry for my first tube amp. Now I need to figure out how to test it! I have access to a function generator and a scope. I plan to:
1. Measure frequency response by inserting a sine wave, varying its frequency from 20Hz to 20KHz, and measuring the output (across dummy load resistors). What amplitude is usually used for the input signal for this type of test? The max /2 or something like that?
2. Insert the max amplitude input signal and measure the output to see what the max power dissipated into my dummy load resistors is. I can also make sure there's no clipping. What frequency is usually used for the input signal for this type of test?
What other tests do you guys recommend? My scope has an FFT function so I could ground the input of the amp and try to get some kind of idea of what the noise floor is, and see if I see any hum.
Of course, there's always the Stevie Wonder test.
Thanks!
1. Measure frequency response by inserting a sine wave, varying its frequency from 20Hz to 20KHz, and measuring the output (across dummy load resistors). What amplitude is usually used for the input signal for this type of test? The max /2 or something like that?
2. Insert the max amplitude input signal and measure the output to see what the max power dissipated into my dummy load resistors is. I can also make sure there's no clipping. What frequency is usually used for the input signal for this type of test?
What other tests do you guys recommend? My scope has an FFT function so I could ground the input of the amp and try to get some kind of idea of what the noise floor is, and see if I see any hum.
Of course, there's always the Stevie Wonder test.
Thanks!