Yes it's all solid state pre-amps for several tape decks (8-track, R2R, cassette), and yes the service manual is from the era where the VTVM was the only tool to measure AC voltage.
Fluke 8060 if you can get it (because it was designed with audio work in mind). Or any other DMM
with a decent frequency response. Accuracy/resolution providing that frequency response is OK and instrument is to spec will not be a problem, a 3 1/2 digit DMM is plenty.
Your oscilloscope, yes, why not? Do keep peak / RMS differences in mind. That goes for all measurements of AC, of course. A lot of the "
Use this specific meter" instructions in service manuals was aimed at eliminating such pitfalls, and is what kept some models in use long after they were replaced in other fields.
As has been mentioned above, the -
hp- 400 series are eminently suited to this work, as is the 410 series, and as long as you don't have to go way high in frequency (but bias adjustments will definitely work), the 427a will do stellar service too; it's rated +/- 2% to 1MHz.
Another alternative would be the transistorised AC Volt meters made by a few different makers, mostly Asian, during the 70s. They were explicitly aimed at AF adjustment work and as a solid-state successor to the VTVM in AF AC measurements. There even were some brands with dual pointers, for stereo, one supposes.
Most of the scope alternatives I've described above are pretty cheap, with the exception of good specimen (with probe) -
hp- 410c and the Fluke 8060, although I've recently scored a perfect 8060 for 16€ plus shipping.
The wiggly pointer is a great interface for adjustment. Not to be dismissed because it's old and imprecise.
And, you can never have too many meters!
/Måns, Flukes: 8020A, 8022A, 8060x2, 10, 123. -
hp-: 400, 410b, 427a, 974a. Gossen: MetraHit 16, 25. H&B: Elavi 3. Avo: Model 8, Solartron: Big Nixie DMM. Marconi: TF1041b (less magic smoke ATM).