A method for operating a tester for testing heads and disks of a magnetic recording disk drive during manufacturing calculates the readback signal amplitude asymmetry in the frequency domain without the need for measurement in the time domain with a peak detection channel. The tester first signals the write head to write a first pattern on the disk to generate a readback signal with positive pulses. The read head then detects this first recorded pattern and sends the readback signal to a spectrum analyzer connected to the tester. The tester then signals the write head to write a second pattern on the disk to generate a readback signal with negative pulses. The read head then detects this second recorded pattern and sends the readback signal to the spectrum analyzer. The spectrum analyzer measures the amplitudes of the first and second readback signals in the frequency domain using a bandpass filter. A controller in the tester calculates readback signal amplitude asymmetry from the measured amplitudes of the first and second readback signals.