Preamp Tube Tester

[grunge782]

I'm looking for a solid, reasonably priced preamp tube tester for 12ax7 and 12at7 tube types. Anybody know of some good ones and where I can get them? Not looking to spend a ridiculous amount either.

 

[FortinAmps]

I've got an old George Kaye Small Signal Tube Checker (SSTC) that I got back in 2000. It is perfect for testing preamp tubes. I don't think they are available anymore as a new product but you might be able to find them on the used market. The next current unit that I know of that is similiar is this one:
http://www.vacuumtube.com/toppage31.htm

Here's one that tests power and preamps, deluxe-o-version:
http://www.amplitrex.com/index.html

If you are handy with an iron, DIY, this one might be all you need:
http://priceamp.home.comcast.net/~priceamp/diypreamp.htm

Cheers,
Mike

 

[locoed]

I swear Fortin is more helpful than AAA.

 

[grunge782]

I've got an old George Kaye Small Signal Tube Checker (SSTC) that I got back in 2000. It is perfect for testing preamp tubes. I don't think they are available anymore as a new product but you might be able to find them on the used market. The next current unit that I know of that is similiar is this one:
http://www.vacuumtube.com/toppage31.htm

Here's one that tests power and preamps, deluxe-o-version:
http://www.amplitrex.com/index.html

If you are handy with an iron, DIY, this one might be all you need:
http://priceamp.home.comcast.net/~priceamp/diypreamp.htm

Cheers,
Mike

My god, fucking thank you dude . Nobody seemed to be able to answer this. I'm not looking for anything complicated, so that DIY looks good.

Are you the maker of Fortin by the way?

 

[grunge782]

I swear Fortin is more helpful than AAA.

Yeah really man.

 

[Laura]

That Amplitrex is supposed to be the mack daddy of testers.

 

[JTyson]

I have always heard tube testers were unreliable, maybe thats not true? Mike F?

 

[grunge782]

That Amplitrex is supposed to be the mack daddy of testers.

Yeah 2500 is a bit much....

 

[Laura]

I have always heard tube testers were unreliable, maybe thats not true? Mike F?

Not really. Many tube dealers will tell you that they are though...

I have found many new production 12ax7's that test bad on both cheap testers and the AT1000. I have tons of pre's that I bought new that I recently checked and they test bad. Just because a tube can pass current in an amp does not mean it is good (which is what some will tell you). I have had power tubes short and when I check them on a cheap tester, it shows that the tube has a short. When I remove the bad tube from my amp, and replace the bad tube with a good one, the issue with the amp goes away. I have sent shorted tubes back and had dealers tell me that nothing was wrong with the tube(s) also.

 

[grunge782]

I have always heard tube testers were unreliable, maybe thats not true? Mike F?

Not really. Many tube dealers will tell you that they are though...

I have found many new production 12ax7's that test bad on both cheap testers and the AT1000. I have tons of pre's that I bought new that I recently checked and they test bad. Just because a tube can pass current in an amp does not mean it is good (which is what some will tell you). I have had power tubes short and when I check them on a cheap tester, it shows that the tube has a short. When I remove the bad tube from my amp, and replace the bad tube with a good one, the issue with the amp goes away. I have sent shorted tubes back and had dealers tell me that nothing was wrong with the tube(s) also.

What tube testers have you used?

 

[Laura]

I have always heard tube testers were unreliable, maybe thats not true? Mike F?

Not really. Many tube dealers will tell you that they are though...

I have found many new production 12ax7's that test bad on both cheap testers and the AT1000. I have tons of pre's that I bought new that I recently checked and they test bad. Just because a tube can pass current in an amp does not mean it is good (which is what some will tell you). I have had power tubes short and when I check them on a cheap tester, it shows that the tube has a short. When I remove the bad tube from my amp, and replace the bad tube with a good one, the issue with the amp goes away. I have sent shorted tubes back and had dealers tell me that nothing was wrong with the tube(s) also.

What tube testers have you used?

I have an old B&K 606 and an Amplitrex AT1000. I have Sencore too but it has been at a friends house for a while and I need to get it back...

 

[RoccaforteAmps]

I have always heard tube testers were unreliable, maybe thats not true? Mike F?

The problem with most of the vintage testers
is they don't run the tubes at amplifier voltages.
Some only test tubes as a "diode" and not an amplifier.
You really need to know what you're looking for.
Real techs use an amplifier and a scope to test tubes,
thats the way to do it.

 

[Laura]

I have always heard tube testers were unreliable, maybe thats not true? Mike F?

The problem with most of the vintage testers
is they don't run the tubes at amplifier voltages.
Some only test tubes as a "diode" and not an amplifier.
You really need to know what you're looking for.
Real techs use an amplifier and a scope to test tubes,
thats the way to do it.

 

[RoidRage]

I have always heard tube testers were unreliable, maybe thats not true? Mike F?

The problem with most of the vintage testers
is they don't run the tubes at amplifier voltages.
Some only test tubes as a "diode" and not an amplifier.
You really need to know what you're looking for.
Real techs use an amplifier and a scope to test tubes,
thats the way to do it.

Hi...

Do you have any experience with one of these.... The 539C Hickok It was used By NASA... Yes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. In the 50's to test tubes used for rocket guidance systems and electronics... This cost more than a new car when it came out... And if it was good enough for them, it's good enough for me. I have used this for $100,000 Hi-Fi amps for years with great results... My friend actually found one with NASA stenciled #'s right on the unit!

Many that have been working with tubes for 50 years regard this as the finest tube tester ever made... I was lucky find a Mint one!

Best,

Roid Rage

 

[RoidRage]

I've got an old George Kaye Small Signal Tube Checker (SSTC) that I got back in 2000. It is perfect for testing preamp tubes. I don't think they are available anymore as a new product but you might be able to find them on the used market. The next current unit that I know of that is similiar is this one:
http://www.vacuumtube.com/toppage31.htm

Here's one that tests power and preamps, deluxe-o-version:
http://www.amplitrex.com/index.html

If you are handy with an iron, DIY, this one might be all you need:
http://priceamp.home.comcast.net/~priceamp/diypreamp.htm

Cheers,
Mike

And YES Mike... I have a George Kaye TOO! from being an Audiophile!

Isn't it the GREATEST little thing! I mean with the small tubes It really lets you get a handle on what the tube is doing quickly and easily... It's never let me down! I would let it go for anything... The Moving Coil section of my Phono Preamp has 100db of GAIN!!! And it lets me know what tubes will work, what ones won't right away.!

I'm VERY Impressed that you have one!

Ohh and see my Hickok 539c above!

Thanks,

ROID RAGE

 

[JTyson]

I have always heard tube testers were unreliable, maybe thats not true? Mike F?

The problem with most of the vintage testers
is they don't run the tubes at amplifier voltages.
Some only test tubes as a "diode" and not an amplifier.
You really need to know what you're looking for.
Real techs use an amplifier and a scope to test tubes,
thats the way to do it.

Hi...

Do you have any experience with one of these.... The 539C Hickok It was used By NASA... Yes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. In the 50's to test tubes used for rocket guidance systems and electronics... This cost more than a new car when it came out... And if it was good enough for them, it's good enough for me. I have used this for $100,000 Hi-Fi amps for years with great results... My friend actually found one with NASA stenciled #'s right on the unit!

Many that have been working with tubes for 50 years regard this as the finest tube tester ever made... I was lucky find a Mint one!

Best,

Roid Rage

Oh, that is very cool