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Recommendations for a basic bench testing set up?

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Posted on September 14, 2023 at 14:28:49

tvr2500m
Audiophile

Posts: 1687
Location: Boston
Joined: February 2, 2003

I've got the stuff to do electronics work and projects. Soldering station, nice multimeter, hand tools, consumables. I would like to have a more complete, basic bench set up to do troubleshooting and testing measurement. It looks like today there are more choices than ever for equipment. From vintage, to hand-held, to computer-based, ??

Recommendations? The Audio Precision suite, or something like it, looks great, but a bit pricey. What are the most basic pieces needed? Oscilloscope, powersupply, frequency generator, distortion analyzer... ??

Thanks.

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RE: Recommendations for a basic bench testing set up?

6bq5

09:53:47 09/15/23

RE: Recommendations for a basic bench testing set up?

tvr2500m

16:50:01 09/25/23

A VARIAC is important

Chip647

07:28:15 09/15/23

...

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RE: Recommendations for a basic bench testing set up?

6bq5

09:53:47 09/15/23

RE: Recommendations for a basic bench testing set up?

tvr2500m

16:50:01 09/25/23

A VARIAC is important

Chip647

07:28:15 09/15/23

RE: A VARIAC is important

tvr2500m

16:49:30 09/25/23

RE: Recommendations for a basic bench testing set up?

triode3

15:16:10 09/14/23

RE: Recommendations for a basic bench testing set up?

tvr2500m

15:25:13 09/14/23

RE: Recommendations for a basic bench testing set up?, posted on September 14, 2023 at 15:16:10

triode3
Manufacturer

Posts: 374
Location: Midwest
Joined: August 23, 2005

> What are the most basic pieces needed? Oscilloscope, powersupply, frequency generator, distortion analyzer... ??

With the exception of the distortion analyzer (except for few things, depends on what you are after), you kind of have a complete list there. I knew a lot of techs with a ton of cool equipment, but 90-99% of the time, they used the first three items you listed (along with the other tools you mentioned, a good DMM a good soldering station).

I use my Fluke DMM and my Simpson 260 more than any other tools I have. I suppose I could add curve tracer if you did a fair amount of transistorized parts. O'scope choice is personal preference. I have an old one, but the Rigol or a new (used, too dang pricey new) Tek is much more user friendly. Not having to think about scales and frequency is not a crutch but a time saver with new O'scopes.

Full disclosure, I do more tube than solid state. I would probably argue that it all depends on what you are working on. If you told me "I only fix tuners" the list of equipment might change. If you told me "I only fix tube amps" that list would change slightly again... being that _most_ of the time for one specific item or another, you favor one tool over another.

My final comment would be this, perhaps: If you cover the very basic, which in my mind is: DMM, analog DM (the Simpson 260 for example), O'scope, freq generator, curve tracer for silicon... then start working on things, you will eventually realize what you really need, and what you really do not need. I had a super advantage in that I worked in a tech shop, but all I had was a DMM. My conclusion was that all I _really_ needed was the list at the start of this paragraph. Again, what I work on could be totally different than what you want to work on.

Perhaps you should specify if you want to be an all around audio repair person, or you are targeting some gear (amps, tubes, solid state, turntables, tuners, etc).

Hope that helps some.

RE: Recommendations for a basic bench testing set up?, posted on September 14, 2023 at 15:25:13

tvr2500m
Audiophile

Posts: 1687
Location: Boston
Joined: February 2, 2003

Thanks for the reply. I could be troubleshooting or testing tubed or solid state gear, likely mostly pre-/amplifiers. I have several tube testers, and I'm going to build a RoeTest tube tester.

I have a Heathkit HV PS. The PC o'scope interfaces look pretty attractive.

A VARIAC is important , posted on September 15, 2023 at 07:28:15
Chip647 Audiophile Posts: 2716 Location: The South Joined: December 24, 2012	Slowly ramp up and measure current

RE: Recommendations for a basic bench testing set up?, posted on September 15, 2023 at 09:53:47
6bq5 Audiophile Posts: 4608 Location: SF Bay Joined: August 16, 2001	Dummy loads - like a 100 watt 8 ohm resistor Shorting plugs Ammeter Line voltage meter - I like to leave that one in the line circuit all the time Powerstat / Variac Cap tester Reverse RIAA curve in a box - this allows you to test the phono section w/out a cart & tt next to the bench... Happy Listening

RE: A VARIAC is important , posted on September 25, 2023 at 16:49:30
tvr2500m Audiophile Posts: 1687 Location: Boston Joined: February 2, 2003	Thanks. Good one.

RE: Recommendations for a basic bench testing set up?, posted on September 25, 2023 at 16:50:01
tvr2500m Audiophile Posts: 1687 Location: Boston Joined: February 2, 2003	Thanks.

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