Recommendations for a vacum tube tester


Any suggestions for something under $150?

scottya118

Anyone know the test settings on a Hickock (600a) tester for Kt 77’s. None listed on their comprehensive listing chart? Would it be the same as EL 34 or different?

I am 2 weeks into ownership and I have to say I am glad I made the decision to buy a tester. I have tested my entire tube collection and have a much better understanding of the tubes quality level. I only identified one tube with one bad triode. It still plays and sounds good to my surprise. Many of my tubes I bought on ebay trusting the sellers test results and have verified almost all were similar to my testing. A few %’s or triodes were off but tested fine. These calibrated testers are good for determining if a tube is good, how strong it is compared to other tubes and how balanced the triodes are. I don’t feel they are accurate enough to throw Gm numbers around as exact especially with their age , the dials worn analog parts. Glad i took the plunge.

Yes it is a great tool.   I’m not home tonight but I will check my manuals and let you know if there is a specific set of values.  I am guessing the switches would be set the same , but not sure what the target is for KT77

 

 

 From what i read it is the average of what a new testing tube should test.  Tubes can go higher or lower but no more than 30% lower than that number to be considered good.  Sound right or not?  Thanks

@tksteingraber If the tube does not meet the minimum reading as indicated in the tube tester chart, it is reject. None of this 30% lower thing. Wherever you read that, its incorrect.

@atmasphere thank you for your input. The reason I asked is that the number listed on the Hickok chart does not appear to be the min and I read it was what an average new tube should test at and I wanted to verify that with experienced Hickok testers. An example…the 12at7 is listed at 4000 on the chart which is in the middle of good on the meter and replace begins at 2600 (65%) on the meter, 12au7 is listed at 2200 and replace begins at 1300 (60%). 12ax7 is listed at 1250 and is too low to follow the gm meter good/replace readings and needs to use the good-bad test by adjusting the english down. I do realize these calibrated testers results are approximate and not real accurate but good for determining if and how good a tube might be. Just learning here!

BALANCE Controls, especially using tube equipment! Remote Balance a wonderful thing. A very small balance tweak can make a surprising amount of difference.