About to pull the trigger on my first scope..

EriCCirE · 11th February 2011, 06:41 PM

Hey guys

Ive been searching online for a cheap (under $150) scope.

My intended purpose is to diagnose and repair a PPI amplifier (PPI PCX4125). It is a 4 channel and only has output on 3 of the channels. Also, when turning the crossovers and gains it generates noise on the output, but the noise seems to dissipate after setting in.

Should I buy this oldschool
Tectronix Type 561 from my local CL?

Or should I buy one of the newer portable digital scopes?

VELLEMAN HPS10SEl

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input and look forward to expanding my knowledge. I am more than open to suggestions and opinions.

tomchr · 11th February 2011, 07:23 PM

First off, this question has been asked and answered ad nauseum. Lots of good advice has been given. Please see those threads.

As for the two scopes you link to... I wouldn't go THAT old school. Get a transistorized scope. The Velleman toy is a joke. You'll hate using it. Why spend good money on something you'll hate using?

To summarize countless previous threads: Get a Tektronix 2215, 2465B, or 400-series (465 for example). The're solid work horses and worth every penny. There are other good scopes out there and many of them have been recommended in the previous threads.

~Tom

cliffyk · 11th February 2011, 09:50 PM

I agree 110% about the Velleman unit, it is a toy oscilloscope that will amaze you with what it can do for the first week--after that you will be amazed by what it cannot do.

The 400 series Teks are getting pretty long in tooth at this point, and many if not most have developed noisy controls and front end compensation issues--there are clean and solid examples out there but they are becoming fewer and further between.

There are a number of Asian lab grade Japanese 20MHz scopes on eBay from LG, EZ Digital, B&K and the like that can be had in your price range and less. Pick out a clean one that is claimed to work and has a non-DOA or x-day return option. You'll be getting something a lot newer that will be fine for pure audio work; to my mind they are the current value point in analog scopes.

Another option would be to spend a bit more and get one of the inexpensive Asian DSOs.

The OWON PDS series are not 1/2 bad, and are in their 3rd generation so most of the bugs have been worked out.

But before going digital do some research make your self aware of some of the limitations of same (particularly inexpensive units) vs. a good ol' analog scope--FWIW, the little Velleman toy is a fine example of the worst of the digital scopes.

wagon master · 11th February 2011, 09:55 PM

I can't imagine not having a dual trace. I've had very good luck with my B&K which is over 20 years old.

cliffyk · 11th February 2011, 10:41 PM

+1, I have a Lecroy 9354L, quad trace unit and often wish I had one or two more...

11th February 2011, 06:41 PM	#1
EriCCirE diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2011	About to pull the trigger on my first scope.. Hey guys Ive been searching online for a cheap (under $150) scope. My intended purpose is to diagnose and repair a PPI amplifier (PPI PCX4125). It is a 4 channel and only has output on 3 of the channels. Also, when turning the crossovers and gains it generates noise on the output, but the noise seems to dissipate after setting in. Should I buy this oldschool Tectronix Type 561 from my local CL? Or should I buy one of the newer portable digital scopes? VELLEMAN HPS10SEl Thanks guys, I appreciate the input and look forward to expanding my knowledge. I am more than open to suggestions and opinions.

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11th February 2011, 07:23 PM	#2
tomchr diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greater Seattle Area	First off, this question has been asked and answered ad nauseum. Lots of good advice has been given. Please see those threads. As for the two scopes you link to... I wouldn't go THAT old school. Get a transistorized scope. The Velleman toy is a joke. You'll hate using it. Why spend good money on something you'll hate using? To summarize countless previous threads: Get a Tektronix 2215, 2465B, or 400-series (465 for example). The're solid work horses and worth every penny. There are other good scopes out there and many of them have been recommended in the previous threads. ~Tom

11th February 2011, 09:50 PM	#3
cliffyk diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009	I agree 110% about the Velleman unit, it is a toy oscilloscope that will amaze you with what it can do for the first week--after that you will be amazed by what it cannot do. The 400 series Teks are getting pretty long in tooth at this point, and many if not most have developed noisy controls and front end compensation issues--there are clean and solid examples out there but they are becoming fewer and further between. There are a number of Asian lab grade Japanese 20MHz scopes on eBay from LG, EZ Digital, B&K and the like that can be had in your price range and less. Pick out a clean one that is claimed to work and has a non-DOA or x-day return option. You'll be getting something a lot newer that will be fine for pure audio work; to my mind they are the current value point in analog scopes. Another option would be to spend a bit more and get one of the inexpensive Asian DSOs. The OWON PDS series are not 1/2 bad, and are in their 3rd generation so most of the bugs have been worked out. But before going digital do some research make your self aware of some of the limitations of same (particularly inexpensive units) vs. a good ol' analog scope--FWIW, the little Velleman toy is a fine example of the worst of the digital scopes.

11th February 2011, 09:55 PM	#4
wagon master diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wisconsin	I can't imagine not having a dual trace. I've had very good luck with my B&K which is over 20 years old.

11th February 2011, 10:41 PM	#5
cliffyk diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2009	+1, I have a Lecroy 9354L, quad trace unit and often wish I had one or two more...

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