AC or DC test

[Paul51]

Can anyone say which side do you test speakers on the voltmeter AC or DC? I am looking at a used amp and no speakers are connected to it. Someone said you can test the amp using a volt meter on the DC side and it should read O volts is this a correct fact? What if it reads above 0 or below 0 is there a baseline for testing equipment that is not connected to a set of speakers?
thanks Paul

[audioqueso]

DC. And the test will not work unless you can connect power to the amp and turn it on. The best way to test it is to connect a source and have the source play a test tone. If the amp is good, the reading should remain constant. A normal reading ranges from 0 to 8 volts. The important part is having a constant reading.

[Paul51]

Thanks for the imput I'm new and intrested in the ( how to test equipment for sale and not buying someone's problem ) You say connect to a source and play test tones but if you are checking something in a basement unconnected it odd to ask him to set it up so you can check for test tones. Maybe his equipment has no test tone selection because it's older tha 10 or 15 years old. Just intrested in learning what to look for and how to spot damaged gear so again anything you can teach me I appricate it.

[dknightd]

I suggest you carry with you a small source, and a small speaker.