Description

OUR MOST POPULAR GAIN SETTING TOOL. ALSO GOOD FOR SNIFFING OUT FAULTY EQUIPMENT. FIND MAX CLEAN HEADUNIT VOLUME LEVEL, SET PROCESSOR / PREAMP GAINS, AND AMPLIFIER GAINS.

The purpose of this tool is to enable the installer to set the gain of an audio amplifier to match the source unit’s output level, accurately and quickly. It can also be useful for detecting distortion in the audio signal caused by poorly designed or malfunctioning audio equipment.

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

The Distortion Detector (DD-1)
Protective silicon rubber boot
Calibrated Test tone CD
Harness
This manual
Pride of ownership

ABOUT THE DESIGN

When you pick up the DD-1, know that you are holding a precision piece of equipment. If treated as such it should provide you with many years of reliable service. We have chosen a 9V battery as a power source for a few reasons:

They are readily available
Isolating the DD-1 from the vehicle’s electrical system for power, guarantees that it will only measure what it is supposed to measure; distortion in the audio signal, not noise in the charging system

We also chose an RCA input connector for a few reasons:

It makes it pretty easy to measure the output of a headunit directly, if you choose to do so
Should the harness become damaged it is easily replaceable or repairable in the field

SPECIFICATION

The Distortion Detector’s circuitry is 100% analog
Distortion Detection trigger level > 1.0% Harmonic Distortion
Guaranteed operating range of input signal is 1.2Vrms – 125Vrms. (15,000 Watts at 1 ohm) Autoranging
Signal Present LED trigger voltage 750mVrms
Low Battery LED trigger battery voltage < 5.6Vdc
Auto-shut off timer 8 - 10 minutes after ON button is pressed
Shipping Box 9 x 6 x 2 inches, 2 lbs

Documentation:

Owner's Manual (PDF)

Test Tracks:

US PATENT 9,313,596 B2

Along with D'Amore Engineering, we invented the handheld amplifier gain setting tool and the technology behind it. It was awarded a United States Patent in 2016. The technology is currently used in our Distortion Detector tools : DD-1, and DD-1+ as well as the AD-1 Amplifier Dyno.