Quote:
Originally Posted by ts31966
Marty, I forgot to asky you about the tube testers that you think are good. What do you think of the amplitrex? Do any others have software for connection to a computer?
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Sorry about the mislabeling. Most guys on this forum have never had the gear you have, including me. I guess I could afford it, but I stick with what I have liked over the years. I damn sure like the Jacksons. (Although I'm to old to play one of those. The wildest guitar I have is an Explorer. You know what I mean? Some guitars are better looking on a younger guy and pretty stupid looking on an older guy.)
Tube testers: I really love the Amplitrex. When I first looked at it many months ago, I thought I might buy one. However, the power supply for plate voltage is limited to 500V. Now this takes care of 90 per cent of the power tubes, but what if you need to test a 6550, 8417, or a KT88. These tubes need up to 600V on the plates to do a proper test. The main thing I like about this tester is checking and matching triodes on 12xx7 type tubes and the fact you can actually listen to the tube for microphonics. However, the price is about a grand to high as far as I am concerned. The option to plot the curves of tubes is sort of whacky also. That's because most audio tubes will be ruler flat across the audio band, unless they have a serious flaw.
I've found that testing the tubes on my B and K and then following up with the tube in an actual circuit will verify that the tube does not have excessive hum or is microphonic. An old tube tester won't tell you this, it may say a tube is good and it will be microphonic.
I think somewhere on this thread I told Josh about the better tube testers available. A B and K 700, 707 or 747. A Hickok tester (make sure it will test modern tubes like nine-pin.) Hickok also makes the TV-7 which is a military tube tester. I think they are okay, but they are hyped a lot and this made the price go up for them. I think the B and K's are laid out the best and the easiest to use. They have an awesome power supply for testing the bigger, octal base power tubes.
I looked online and I no longer see the digital tube tester that was available in a kit form. Apparently they went belly up.
I hope that I answered all of your questions. If not, I will reread the post and respond.
Marty