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

128x128ozzy

@ozzy  - The MaxiMatcher2  states these power tubes in the product data section

Tube Types 6L6, 5881, EL34, 6V6, 6550, 6CA7, 7581, KT88, KT90, KT100
Optional Tube Types (adapter required)
EL84/6BQ5, EL509, 7027, 7591, 7868, 807, 2A3, 300B, 45

The MaxiMatcher Preamp2 states these tubes in the product data section

Directly testable tube types 12AX7, 12AU7, 12AT7, 12AY7, 12DW7, 12BH7, ECC81, ECC82, ECC83, 7025, 5751, 5814,
and all other tubes with 9A base
Optional types:
9AJ adaptor 6DJ8, 6922, 6N1P, ECC88, 6AQ8, 6BQ7
6BZ7, 6GM8, 6CG7, 6FQ7, ECC85, ECC86
9LS adaptor
9DD adaptor
9H adaptor 6EU7
6CW7, ECC84
5687

Note that in the general info section it also suggested 6SN7 & 6SL7 with adaptors

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much for the help.

This may sound dumb but the tester lists KT100, but will it test KT-120 tubes?

ozzy

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.

 

 

@ozzy - May be best to cocntact MaxiMatch directly regarding the KT120 since they don't list it in the details . Below is a link to their webpage that has contact information

https://maximatcher.com/contact-us/

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