Any (new) Tube Testers that can be recommended?


I know you can buy used tube testers through various sources, I'm not sure of the quality or longevity of these units though.

So, can anyone recommend any new tube testers that could test Power tubes like KT-120 or Preamps tubes like 12AX7, 12AT7?

ozzy

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Showing 2 responses by tomcy6

I own a Maxi Preamp 2 tester and find it easy to use and helpful in using tubes. It’s a big improvement over vintage Hickoks and others, unless you want a lab grade tester so that you can test tubes under the conditions they will meet in your equipment.

It tests Gain, transconductance, and noise. Unlike most vintage testers it has a chart that gives an average new number for gain not transconductance. That’s not a big problem as you can probably estimate what average new transconductance is by testing a few tubes that you know test around average new. I’ve decided that average new transconductance for 12AU7s is 1400.  Unlike vintage testers, the results it gives for a particular tube are repeatable.  Vintage testers can give a pretty wide range of results if a test is repeated. 

It’s a good tester unless you want to get really serious about tube testing. I’m keeping mine.

 

 

You get what you pay for.  I have an old Hickok and a military TV-7D/U. The manual for the TV-7 has instructions on how to destroy the unit with hand grenades or hand tools.  Wouldn't want one of those falling into the hands of the enemy.