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

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I just bought a new Amplitrex.  It is easy enough to use and "computer mode" greatly enhances the set of functions.  Not cheap but well worth the money.  That said, I sell a lot of tubes and this unit is sort of essential for me to be able to communicate with Jac Music.  

I love it when I can justify the biggest and the best but not being a tube seller (other than my excess) I can't really justify and Amplitrex.  

@verdantaudio Not sure what your relationship is with Jac Music is but I just boght a couple grand of parts and tubes from them.

Jerry

I spent some money, but I quickly found what tubes were great, who to trust , who screwed me.   
 

The 800 will test my 300b ,205d , rectifiers, 12**7,  EL84 , EL34 , 6l6, 6922.   So for me it was money well spent 

I am an EML retailer.  I stock EML tubes when I can get them.  That is my primary relationship with Jac.  I don’t so too much more in terms of parts and transformers.