How To Test If An Amplifier RCA Cable Is Bad?

As a professional audio engineer, you know the importance of finding great gear. However, that doesn’t mean you get to relax when you find great gear. You’re constantly looking for new equipment so your set sounds modern. For example, when you find an amplifier or cable that sounds great, it can be hard to trust it again. This is because every once in a while, you come across a piece of gear that just isn’t what it seems. The good news is not all RCA cables are created equal, and knowing this can help you find better gear faster. We’ll explain more below to help you understand how to test if an amplifier or cable is wrong.

What is an RCA cable?

RCA cables transfer audio signals from one device (such as a camera or recorder) to another (such as an amplifier or recorder of your choice). They are commonly referred to as “phono” cables from the days of reel-to-reel audio tape recording systems. Phono cables are used in conjunction with “line” cables which transmit the audio signal. RCA cables are called “line level” cables as they are used to transfer audio signals from a device with a line-in connection to another with a line-out connection. The most common use of RCA cables is in home audio/video applications such as home stereo systems.

Why do RCA cables go bad?

In most cases, bad RCA cables are caused by the connectors on either end of the cable deteriorating. This can happen over time if excess moisture gets trapped in the connectors or is constantly exposed to heat (such as while plugged into a power source). An easy way to test if an RCA cable is bad is to use a voltmeter (or multimeter if you have one). Turn on the device you’re trying to connect to the cable and place one-meter lead (usually black) into the input of the device and the other lead (usually red) into the device’s output. If you have power flowing through the cable, you should be able to read a small amount of voltage. If you don’t have any voltage, you know the cable is bad and needs to be replaced.

How to Test If An Amplifier Or Cable Is Bad

If you’ve determined that an amplifier or cable is bad, you first need to swap out the bad unit for a working one. If the problem persists with the excellent unit, you can remove different equipment pieces in search of the problem. When testing an amplifier or cable for bad, you’ll want to ensure you’re testing the correct circuit. For example, if you’re testing an amplifier, you’ll want to ensure you’re testing the amp’s output and not the input. When in doubt, take note of what circuit you’re testing so you can easily find your mistake.

Final Words: Wrapping Up

If you’ve tested the wiring in your studio and determined that an amplifier or cable is bad, the first thing you need to do is swap out the bad unit for a working one. If the problem persists with the excellent unit, you can remove different equipment pieces in search of the problem. When testing an amplifier or cable for bad, you’ll want to ensure you’re testing the correct circuit. For example, if you’re testing an amplifier, you’ll want to ensure you’re testing the amp’s output and not the input. When in doubt, take note of what circuit you’re testing so you can easily find your mistake. These are a few ways to test if an amplifier or cable is bad. There are many others, so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

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