I am thinking of buying a distortion analyser HP339A, Sound Technology, Tektronix, etc. But i worry because these items are getting on to be almost 30 years old now. As i do not live in usa servicing will be expensive if at all possible. My question is thus is this old gear worth it? I realise that they are extremely well made......or should i just settle for a soundcard/software solution?
Old PROFESSIONAL test gear tends to be VERY reliable. I have a lab full of HP and TEK gear from 30 years ago, and it never breaks down.
But I used to work for HP so fixing it holds no dramas for me as long as I can get the service manual.
The key is to check it over very carefully before buying. Sometimes it's all worn out, other times it's actually never been used.
I have two scopes, one HP and one TEK that each would have cost the price a full sized execuitive car when new, but I bought them for around $150 each - and they were effectively brand new.
But for a hobbiest, a soundcard is most likely the smart decision - I have and use both.
Regards, Allen
But I used to work for HP so fixing it holds no dramas for me as long as I can get the service manual.
The key is to check it over very carefully before buying. Sometimes it's all worn out, other times it's actually never been used.
I have two scopes, one HP and one TEK that each would have cost the price a full sized execuitive car when new, but I bought them for around $150 each - and they were effectively brand new.
But for a hobbiest, a soundcard is most likely the smart decision - I have and use both.
Regards, Allen
From my side of the ocean, I`ll gladly agree to the previous point. I have got an oscilloscope made in USSR about 46 years ago. It is all-tube and yet it works fine even without replacing old caps and tubes.
The only disadvantage is its bandwidth. This can be broadened by the measures above, but it seemed enough last time I cought a high frequency oscillation in my amp.
And yes, it looks like there is no power in the world to make it stop working.
Cheers. Ace.
The only disadvantage is its bandwidth. This can be broadened by the measures above, but it seemed enough last time I cought a high frequency oscillation in my amp.
And yes, it looks like there is no power in the world to make it stop working.
Cheers. Ace.
I have a HP334A, its been totally reliable and is very well built. The 339 is a much better piece of kit. The only thing I had to do was give it a good clean and clean all the switch contacts as it was a bit eratic but still usable. Calibration is another matter, the set up in the manual is beyond my test equipment. I got a quote of £50 from a UK test house which is not bad at all. I didnt bother though as it seems to be inline with with my other calibrated kit.
Cheers Matt.
Cheers Matt.
+1 for the use of HP/TEK test gear. Many of the service manuals can be downloaded from the manufacturer's website and the remaining can be bought through Manuals Plus, eBay and others. The circuits are well documented and not that daunting to fix if you know a thing or two about electronics.
My instrument park includes: HP8903A, HP3312A, HP3478A, HP3581A, TEK 2465B, TEK 2215, plus a handful of HP power supplies. All salvage or surplus equipment that was being discarded because it was broken in one way or another - except the 3312A and 3478A. I think the most expensive piece of gear was $150 including shipping.
~Tom
My instrument park includes: HP8903A, HP3312A, HP3478A, HP3581A, TEK 2465B, TEK 2215, plus a handful of HP power supplies. All salvage or surplus equipment that was being discarded because it was broken in one way or another - except the 3312A and 3478A. I think the most expensive piece of gear was $150 including shipping.
~Tom
Completely agree, my TEK2235 was 30 quid with a dead PSU. Pretty easy fix, one resistor had drifted and the voltages were very slightly high. Amazing how picky they are on voltage limits, I only found it accidentaly when I shorted a rail with my meter and it sprang into life. Your 2215 is basically identical and I was using the manual for that model from the excellent BAMA site.
Anything from HP or Tektronix is worth getting if only for bits. Some people would shoot me for that statement and I am slowly coming to the same opinion. Truely great gear.
Cheers Matt.
Anything from HP or Tektronix is worth getting if only for bits. Some people would shoot me for that statement and I am slowly coming to the same opinion. Truely great gear.
Cheers Matt.
That classic HP and Tek equipment is built to a standard that modern economics has all but eliminated. It's rock stable, but IMHO you still have to learn how to fix the occasional problem. Caps do go bad (but don't replace anything unless it's proven to actually be bad), switches do need cleaning, and anything with batteries needs to be examined internally for damage. One caveat is that most modern hi-fi equipment is better than most older distortion analyzers. You really need both a distortion analyzer and a spectrum analyzer (PC is fine) to learn anything very useful.
Best,
Conrad
Best,
Conrad
Yes and no... A lot of modern HiFi is hard pressed to beat the 0.002 % THD+N floor of my HP 8903A. And if you build tube amplifiers as I do, then the older gear is just fine.
But I do second your opinion on having a spec an available. Or a wave analyzer.
~Tom
Yes my 334 is spot on as far as a 334 can be. Dont get me wrong it is very very useful, just not as feature packed as I would like ie. having to guess at distortion below 0.02%. The only thing that was out was that some monkey had swung on the frequency dial and wrenched it round on the shaft, funnily enough when I lined it up with the original dimples from the grub screws it was spot on.
I now have a PC in the w/shop and need a decent external soundcard for measurements. Or possibly a good A/D converter to plug into the S/PDIF input. A real spectrum analyser would be my preference but finding one for a decent price is hard. A wave analyser is also an option. Ian Bell, the chap who very kindly gave me the 334 uses one. Does make stuff long winded though. The PC has a definate place in test and measurement these days.
Cheers Matt.
I now have a PC in the w/shop and need a decent external soundcard for measurements. Or possibly a good A/D converter to plug into the S/PDIF input. A real spectrum analyser would be my preference but finding one for a decent price is hard. A wave analyser is also an option. Ian Bell, the chap who very kindly gave me the 334 uses one. Does make stuff long winded though. The PC has a definate place in test and measurement these days.
Cheers Matt.
Hi, guys.
This is my first post here..
The subject drew me right in, as I have an old HP 330B distortion analyzer that needs some recapping and a 6sj7 to revive it.
Does this thing have any usefulness in our modern day, or should I just part it out for the trannys, chokes, etc?
I'd like to get it running, but if it really is just a boat anchor at this point, the components could serve as a starting point for a sweet guitar pre..
I'll also vouch for the odd ancient 'scope.. I've got an HP 1710a opt h50 that I picked up cheap at a hamfest that's been humming along for 15 yrs.. It was last calibrated in '89 and and is still pretty much bang on.
The connectors do require the occasional clean/wiggle, but I've heard that is par for the course with the older HP scopes.
BTW, can anyone tell me what OPT H50 means?
Pete.
This is my first post here..
The subject drew me right in, as I have an old HP 330B distortion analyzer that needs some recapping and a 6sj7 to revive it.
Does this thing have any usefulness in our modern day, or should I just part it out for the trannys, chokes, etc?
I'd like to get it running, but if it really is just a boat anchor at this point, the components could serve as a starting point for a sweet guitar pre..
I'll also vouch for the odd ancient 'scope.. I've got an HP 1710a opt h50 that I picked up cheap at a hamfest that's been humming along for 15 yrs.. It was last calibrated in '89 and and is still pretty much bang on.
The connectors do require the occasional clean/wiggle, but I've heard that is par for the course with the older HP scopes.
BTW, can anyone tell me what OPT H50 means?
Pete.
Holy cow!
Thanks, Tom!
I wasn't aware that they'd finally posted some information about that beast!
For *years* I've been checking to see if they'd get around to freeing up some documentation, and I guess I'd given up hope!
This is just too cool.
Thanks *ever* so much!
Pete.
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