|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
204.94.81.82
A Stark Hickok TV7 just went for $623.91. My TV7 is my go to tester and I have a 539B and a 539C, but the TV7 is so handy and does the job for most all the tubes that I have. I think I paid less than $150 for mine, surplus military for sure. The case ain't all that pretty, not that I'd care.
539Cs look to be going for $2,000. Crazy.
I'm glad I bought a zillion 45 tubes back when you could get deals on ePay.
-Rod
Follow Ups:
Have a TV-7D/U and Heathkit TT-1. Would love to have a 118B CardMatic and/or Triplett 3444, or one of the big tube analyzers, but I'm quite happy with what I've got. The TV-7 is compact and reliable, the TT-1 has lots of room for servicing, built-in calibration tools, lots of useful tests - particularly grid current draw for output tubes. I certainly recall good TV-7s going for good money years ago, too.
Used to be I went to surplus depots and bought TV-7's for $35 each. Big difference between a,b,c and D models. IIRC earlier models couldn't check 6DJ8 family because tester would oscillate. D cured the oscillation by installing ferrite beads on all the leads. Did that once but sure was tedious....
If anyone is stupid enough to pay two grand for a 539c,they could spend 600 more and get an Amplitrex.I have a 539B which is the same tester as the 539C for all intensive purpose and I'm always using the Heathkit TT-1.
Honest amplification is better than excessive 2nd order distortion anytime.
I might decide to sell.
$300 but taking offers (shipping < $30)I have one, very pleased, and the nice thing for relative novice like me is that this link ... http://tubesound.com/2008/03/23/bk-707-tube-tester/ ... provided plenty info, including recapping/restoring instructions, and the fellow can provide a solid state replacement for the big rectifier tube (internal of course). I go it for mine so that leave only one internal tube to worry about (also got from him).
Never trust an Atom, they Make Up everything!
Edits: 05/06/14
bjh, thanks so much for posting that tube sound link.
About 20 years ago I picked up a clean 707 at a swap meet. I contacted B&K and was able to buy both the manual and tube charts at that time. I went through the calibration steps without any difficulties.
I'm not knowledgeable on electronics but the 707 has served me well over the years for occasional basic testing. Due to the era of its design it does not test some older tubes such as 300Bs. But the QuickCheck function is great for a rube like me and it has covered 90%+ of my needs.
"You can’t know what the “best” is unless you have heard everything, and keep in mind that given individual tastes, there really isn’t any such thing." HP
I'll say thanks again bjh. I do have 12AX7s and 5751s I test but in my electronics ignorance didn't realize there was a problem. So I'll read and digest these suggestions and try my hand at an update. I probably should recap and recalibrate mine anyway. So as long as the hood is up let me adjust this little screw on the side of the carb! ;^)
* Count Basie
"You can’t know what the “best” is unless you have heard everything, and keep in mind that given individual tastes, there really isn’t any such thing." HP
A stock 707 has a rather compromised test for the popular (in audio) 12AX7 but the link documents a modification that addresses the issue. I did it, works like a charm!
12AX7 Test Modification For B&K 707
... now if only I could find a mod to allow a 6922 to test for mutual conductance; i.e. in the upper section, the lower section tests for emission and unfortunately that's where you test a 6DJ8/6922.
Never trust an Atom, they Make Up everything!
Is that some entrepreneurial spirit will likely take note, and begin manufacturing a quality tube tester again. Perhaps they already have, I haven't checked. With the number of tubes coming out of Russia and tubes and amps coming out of China, I'd be surprised if it hasn't alredy been considered.
A currently produced tube tester that is a better mousetrap, too! Ain't cheap, however...
I have about 14 pieces of equipment which use tubes. By my standards, that's not a lot.
If I were doing what Jim McShane or Mike Samra are doing, and needed a new tester, I could see making an investment in the Amplitrex unit.
Thanks for letting me know it exists!
decent repair service for old tube testers.
That said, as a former bench tech, I can't think of any piece of electronic equipment I would rather NOT have to work on, what with all of those wires and switch contacts to deal with.
I can only imagine the "bird's nest" in a complex tester.
I have a Knight 600A, which I picked up from a guy at work for $10, about twenty years ago. The Knight was sold as a kit, so it's fairly simple, both in construction and (limited) function.
I've thought about buying something better, but I only have a handful of tube amps, preamps, and tuners. After reading numerous comments on the DIY tube Asylum, I've followed the suggestion of testing tubes "in circuit", rather than spending high dollars on a good tester.
Well it is a mess of wires for all the socket connections, but circuit-wise the B&K 707 is not actually that complex (some of the switches are complex beasts)
Someone making a modern one would do well to create a [big] printed circuit board that need only sockets to be soldered in.
Never trust an Atom, they Make Up everything!
It's been in storage for about 8 years, but worked fine last I used it.
Bought it mostly because it was available at a decent price ($250) from an old guy who knew a thing or two about them. Gave me an extra NOS MV rectifier to go with it.
But TV7's were going for good prices 6-8 years ago, at least as I recall.
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: