Unless you already know about these things, I would just like to add;
If you do decide to get a bench scope, then you should seriously consider getting a 1:1 isolation transformer, one that is capable of providing enough VA for the devices you wish to test.
Reasons why;
To protect your self, your device under test and your scope.
When probing without an isolation transformer, your scope probe ground clip must be connected to ground/earth, usually the chassis or the incoming mains ground terminal.
Bench scopes are not like multimeters where you can simply put your two probes anywhere on the circuit to measure voltages. The ground clip of a bench scope probe is directly connected to mains/ground earth. It will create a ground loop if it's connected to a point on the circuit board under test and immediately blow something up.
With the device under test plugged into an isolation transformer then you have eliminated this possibility and you can connect your ground clip to almost anywhere you want on the circuit as your device under test is now what’s called floating.
Also, don’t plug the scope into the isolation transformer, that’s not good, that’s for advanced experienced users. Thats floating the scope,
If you do decide to get an isolation transformer and you are using more than one scope probe to look at things, then you can still connect your probe ground clips anywhere, but, the ground clips must all be connected to the exact same point on the circuit, otherwise you will create another type of ground loop and again blow something up.
That’s just some electrical safety scoping advice I would like to share with you.
Many of those DSP devices can cost a fortune and are easily destroyed in milli seconds with a wrong hook up of a scope probe and ground clip. Easily done! and a nightmare to repair if they even can be, so, take that into consideration.
If your possibly going to be scoping valve amps and alike at some stage in the future, then there are some extra safety issues and tips & tricks that I could share on a new thread if so.
There are proper ways and means to scope on those high voltage pieces of equipment. It’s quite simple when you use the correct techniques.
Ok that’s enough rambling on from me.
Check out this excellent youtube video by Dave Jones from eevblog for more great info on scoping do’s and dont’s, he’s quite a character genius from Australia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaELqAo4kkQ
Ok van Sinn, I hope that’s of any use to you,
Happy scoping,
Rusty.