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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

128x128carlsbad
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,883 posts
 

If I did not see a video of mine in use, with 6 v power and 12v preamp tubes I never would have taken the chance.  Plus it looks like it belongs in a museum but that doesn’t mean anything other than someone took care of it.  It suggests a hobbiest used it and it wasn’t the shop workhorse. 
 

remember everything had tubes back then.  Most of these testers have seen heavy use and it shows.  

tksteingraber's avatar
tksteingraber
629 posts
 

Contact Paul Hart.  Pkharthave@gmail.com  He is one of the foremost experts on calibration, repairs and selling used testers direct in the states.  He can give you a complete rundown on on the various testers and their limitations.  He convinced me it wasn’t worth buying a tester in my situation since I’m not a volume buyer/seller.  Good luck with it all.

invalid
1,200 posts
 

Tube testers aren't very accurate at measuring the life of a tube, so you may still get some returns if using a tube tester.

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad OP
1,551 posts
 

@oddiofyl That's a beauty.  And I agree with your advice.  Loose sockets can be a problem with well worn testers.

@tksteingraber I would probably agree that I don't need one.   It is consistent with my lab scientist nature and I-build-thing mentality to want one.

@invalid I agree the data is not all it is cracked up to be but I see lots of instances where it is of use to me.  

thanks all for your help.  

Jerry

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,883 posts
 

Just remember, most are pretty crappy.   Nice ones cost $$$ but are worth it 

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