Can a DMM be trusted?

[Mike Watterson]

The good thing about an Avo is that, with their loading on the circuit, phantom pickup is almost non existant. Maybe some have it, I don't know, but there is maybe a need for having a switched input load / impedance on a DMM to compensate in some circumstances.  A setting with the same load as an Avo 8, for instance, might make comparing with some circuit descriptions a lot easier.

I have a VVM (analogue) with a huge input impedance. Also on AC it works to VHF, so I've occasionally used it with a 50 Ohms via T-piece. It certainly can give phantom DC readings.
I'll add a suitable parallel resistance when testing unloaded PSUs or cells or batteries. I do have a handy analogue meter for 1.5V and 9V cell that has a parallel shunt inside to load the battery. A tester that did 3V to 5V (coin cells and Li rechargable) might be handy.
I use a suitable load across the DMM for HT batteries.