What is a cost effective way to level match, for comparing different hifi components?

Cost effective is just using your ears.

I think it is a question of what you enjoy doing. If you get enjoyment out of doing analytical things, and solving problems of how to measure and achieve perfect balance… that is great. I can think of a bunch of different ways of doing it. I have a high quality microphone I had bought about 15 years ago for home theater and other audio measurements… feathering in subs… etc.

I guess I am getting lazy in my old age. My preamp will hold different settings between inputs. So last time when comparing streamers I just used my ears.

Nothing innately wrong with either. Use the approach that you enjoy most. The fate of the world does not rest in the balance on the outcome.

...voltmeter idea at the speakers is interesting too.

The XLO Test CD has a track and instructions for how to test voltage at the amplifier speaker taps.

Yes a decent voltmeter is going to be more accurate than a microphone. While I am a Fluke guy - my Dad programmed me to “ buy Lifetime tools “ , you can get something effective at HomevDepot, etc.

Roger and I had some good back n forth over .25 db.

best to you :-)

jim

i think the op is asking a fair question, a somewhat technical question, he is doing something smart, which is to get his comparison process sufficiently rigorous so as to yield a result he can feel good about, he can trust

i remember as a 19 year old in providence r.i., working for one of the hifi retailers on weekends to make pocket money as a college student ... one of the well worn, ’experienced’ salesmen there kinda sorta took me under his wing, showing me what’s what in world as he saw it - the store had switching panels to connect turntables or other sources, to amps/receivers, to speakers, and then there was a volume adjuster

the guy boasted that he could get most anyone to buy system a over system b, by just making one play a touch louder than the other ... which he then demonstrated on a number of occasions

i’ll never forget that...

Acknowledging the importance of level matching when comparing source components is a sign of a good listener.

+1 @tvad
If you don’t understand the importance of level matching when comparing source components, you need a new hobby!