DIY Audio Projects Forum

I am interested in getting a decent, used, working vacuum tube tester. What is a good make/model to look for?

Thanks!!

-=- Boris

How much are you looking to spend? That is the big question.

I was hoping for about $100 but I don't know if that's silly talk. (??)

-- Boris

Hi, Tube testers are somewhat scarce and good ones tend to be costly. I use a surplus military TV-7D. Updates for the tube listings for it are on the web. It does a good job and covers many tube types. Lat time I saw one for sale in excellent condition it was close to $400. You can probably find one with cosmetic issues for less.

Hickock made good ones as well.

There is nothing for $100 that is worth taking home

Good listening
Bruce

_________________
Some of my DIY Tube Amplifier Projects:

• PoddWatt: 5751 / EL84 Push-Pull DIY Tube Amplifier Project
• OddBlocks: KT88 Push-Pull DIY Tube Amplifiers (Mono Blocks)
• ForeWatt: ECC802S (12AU7 / ECC82) DIY Tube Preamplifier Project
• GrooveWatt: Tube (Valve) RIAA Phono Preamplifier Project

I have an Eico 667 that I picked up from eBay. I did not spend anywhere near $400 for it, but it was a little more than $100. I got REALLY lucky and got one that was in pristine condition. It's even featured in the "Tools and Testing Equipment" of DIYAudioprojects main pages: EICO-667

Be careful out there, though. It's easy to get took, and there are quite a few doing "restorations" and charging $1,000 for a tube tester.

Try for one that is a "dynamic conductance" or "transconductance" type tester rather than an "emission" type tester. The transconductance / dynamic conductance types are more accurate as they actually "load up" the tubes as though they're in an actual "ideal" circuit. Emission testers basically will just tell you the tube will pass energy, but not necessarily whether it can work in a particular circuit.

_________________
The key to a successful build is to keep the smoke IN the circuit.
-Les

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind. - Albert Einstien
_________________________________
LM380 Bridged Guitar Amp, Oatley K301 Phono Pre-amp, Oatley K272 Headphone Amp, Tube proto-board
Current project: 6V6 "pseudo Champ" prototype
Still to come (On hold): 6CG7/12AX7 Guitar amp (modified FireFly)

B+K 747 everytime I've hunted them on Ebay have gone upwards $500 to $700

Even rust bucket transconductance being sold for parts or restoration have flew out for $200.

Try Craigslist?

_________________
-= Gregg =-
* Ratings are for transistors - tubes have guidelines*
Home: GeeK ZonE
Work: Classic Valve Design

One thing that you can do is to check the web for a hamfest that will be near you. Those are good places to score equipment. Chances are if there are any issues with it, the seller will let you know up front since they are ham operators and do not want a bad name. I've been going to those for the past 30+ years and have never been burned.

Can't believe I forgot about hamfests, given I went to my first one in 27 years a couple weeks back and made out like a bandit

Also check ham radio club websites, as they often have a "swap shop" section.

_________________
-= Gregg =-
* Ratings are for transistors - tubes have guidelines*
Home: GeeK ZonE
Work: Classic Valve Design

Good info found here.
http://www.tubewizard.com/recommended_H ... esters.htm

Hamfests are an excellent place to score lots of interesting stuff (tubes, trannies, etc)! I've only been to a local fest here in the Nashville, TN area and it was relatively small, but still had a lot of neat things for one to blow money on
One of these days I want to go to the big Dayton, Ohio and Huntsville, Alabama fests. Just never seem to have either the time or money to go, sadly.

_________________
The key to a successful build is to keep the smoke IN the circuit.
-Les

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind. - Albert Einstien
_________________________________
LM380 Bridged Guitar Amp, Oatley K301 Phono Pre-amp, Oatley K272 Headphone Amp, Tube proto-board
Current project: 6V6 "pseudo Champ" prototype
Still to come (On hold): 6CG7/12AX7 Guitar amp (modified FireFly)