2. amps-preamps
  3. 180760-157969

Advice on a tube tester

Well I just got kicked off Facebook for the weekend so I'll probably be active here.  Not sure if that is a plus or a minus for Audiogon.  😎

I'm looking to buy my first tube tester.  I want to be able to identify bad tubes, verify readings on "NOS" or "used, measures like new" in tubes I buy, and I need to sell off a bunch of tubes and I'd like to be able to test them before I sell them.  Selling a bad tube, refunding the money, leaves me out shipping, a lot of work and 3 good tubes in limbo. 

So I'm looking at a B&K 707/747 or a hickok 539A or similar, mostly just based on what I see that fits my needs and seems to be $500 or less.  I see tested and calibrated tube testers for $1500 on ebay but I think I can get by for a lot less.

Tubes I have to test are 6l6 series, EL84, OA3/4, 6922, WE396, KT88 and maybe a few others.  it would be nice to test 300B/350B tubes but I think most testers doen't do that. 

So I'd appreciate guidance from people who have been testing tubes for a while.

Thanks,

Jerry

carlsbad

Showing 1 response by thermionicemission

thermionicemission
17 posts
 

Hi,

All good testers you mentioned. I have had a TV-7b and it was a fine well built unit. Currently using a BK 707 and love it. Design is especially great when testing multiple 9 pin miniatures such as ECC83, ECC82, and ECC81 etc. Have used a BK747 and would be my last choice of the lot.
Calibration of these units can be done yourself and is not terribly difficult. There is a wealth of information out there. I did both my TV7 and BK707. Try to find one that is in good physical condition that shows light use. Heavily used ones can have sockets that make poor contact and it becomes a lot of work to replace them, although it is doable. Found my minty BK 707 ON FB marketplace locally for $200 and calibrated it myself. Does all the audio tubes and was these guys were made toward the end of the tube era.

Rob

More to discover