CHEAP function generator. Worth it?

MJL21193 · 31st December 2007, 03:53 AM

Hi,
I feel the need for a function generator for my audio hobby work and would like opinions on this model:
Victor VC2002 Function Signal Generator

Ebay auction (of course) here

Is it worth buying? How well does it perform? Anyone out there buy one of these?

Conrad Hoffman · 31st December 2007, 04:12 AM

I've had similar ones a while back with no display, and it's amazing what they can offer today for the price. Don't expect super low distortion, and don't expect to be able to fix it if it breaks, but perfectly adequate for many tasks. A good troubleshooter might go for a used Wavetek instead. Much higher performance, but more prone to problems due to the age.

MJL21193 · 31st December 2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Conrad Hoffman

Don't expect super low distortion,

Thanks. Based on that, I'll most likely buy one.

I am presently using the calibrator from my scope as a square wave source (I know, I'm just asking for it

).
I have tried a couple of PC software generators, but the output from these is unusible - top and bottom of the squarewave is badly rippled, sinewave looks "thick" on the scope.

jackinnj · 31st December 2007, 12:58 PM

You can "trick out" the performance of one of those inexpensive function generators with a pair of switched capacitor filters from Maxim or Linear Technology -- while I will credit the idea to Charles Hansen who wrote it up in Audio Amateur I had been using the same technique with a Basic Stamp. (This is not the Ayre Hansen, btw...)

If you get the TAA article note that you should recheck the pinout of the devices as there was a mistake in the article's schematic.

31st December 2007, 03:53 AM	#1
MJL21193 Account disabled at member's request Join Date: Mar 2007	CHEAP function generator. Worth it? Hi, I feel the need for a function generator for my audio hobby work and would like opinions on this model: Victor VC2002 Function Signal Generator Ebay auction (of course) here Is it worth buying? How well does it perform? Anyone out there buy one of these?

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31st December 2007, 04:12 AM	#2
Conrad Hoffman diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canandaigua, NY USA	I've had similar ones a while back with no display, and it's amazing what they can offer today for the price. Don't expect super low distortion, and don't expect to be able to fix it if it breaks, but perfectly adequate for many tasks. A good troubleshooter might go for a used Wavetek instead. Much higher performance, but more prone to problems due to the age.

31st December 2007, 12:58 PM	#4
jackinnj diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Llanddewi Brefi, NJ	You can "trick out" the performance of one of those inexpensive function generators with a pair of switched capacitor filters from Maxim or Linear Technology -- while I will credit the idea to Charles Hansen who wrote it up in Audio Amateur I had been using the same technique with a Basic Stamp. (This is not the Ayre Hansen, btw...) If you get the TAA article note that you should recheck the pinout of the devices as there was a mistake in the article's schematic.