Tektronix TDS714L or other Tek TDS series digital oscilloscope for stereo?

manp111 · 27th February 2011, 11:58 PM

I am looking to buy an oscilloscope. I don't have any experience with them.

What do you guys think of the Tektronix TDS714L digital scope or other Tek digital scope for stereo equipment application?
How do the analog scopes like Tek 2246 or 2465 compare to the Tek TDS714L for stereo equipment application?

mastodon · 28th February 2011, 09:19 AM

All I can say is that for tube audio, you don't really _need_ to shell out $3k on a scope. I'd settle for a simple dual beam analog 'scope.

Mooly · 28th February 2011, 10:34 AM

As above.
Look for a minimum of 20 to 30mhz bandwidth, dual channel, and choose a model that has a high accelerating voltage for the CRT (10 kv or above to give a bright sharp trace).

manp111 · 28th February 2011, 10:41 PM

Are there anything that the Tek digital scope like TDS714L can't do but the analog scope can?

I agree the TEK TDS714L is over kill for audio but I think it would be useful for other things as well.

ChrisA · 28th February 2011, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manp111

I am looking to buy an oscilloscope. I don't have any experience with them.

What do you guys think of the Tektronix TDS714L digital scope or other Tek digital scope for stereo equipment application?
How do the analog scopes like Tek 2246 or 2465 compare to the Tek TDS714L for stereo equipment application?

I paid $125 for a dual channel 100Mhz analog Tek scope on eBay. It's overkill for audio but I'm into radio as well. There is some advantage to analog scopes.

I also have a good studio quality audio interface in my iMac and software that can do some analysis on the sound, like FFT and harmonic distortion.

BZed · 1st March 2011, 12:12 AM

I've worked in electronics for 40+ years and have used most of the Tek scope models at one time or another. For audio signals I would look for one of the older digital models that work dual mode. That is they work as an analog scope most of the time but have digital storage mode. With a straight digital scope it is very easy to miss some of the fast rise time events that can occur faster that the sampling time of the sweep rate you are using.

Thats not to say I don't use digital scopes, I do. It's just that you need to look at the signal at several different sweep rates to make sure your not missing things. Some of the other features like FFT and wave form capture can be very usefull. If you want these other features then go for it. If you want a simple trouble shooting tool then go for the analog scope.

BZ

Mooly · 1st March 2011, 06:17 AM

The shots here were taken with my analogue scope,
The best sounding audio integrated opamps

My thoughts are as per BZed's above. Scope I use is shown in post #1026

It's a bit like comparing a digital camera and film. The digital one won't show the finest detail when you zoom in, the analogue lets you winkle out what's there limited only by the trace thickness and noise.

manp111 · 1st March 2011, 06:33 AM

Thank you guys for the input

tomchr · 2nd March 2011, 08:55 PM

I absolutely love my TEK 2465B. 4 channels, 500 MHz. I picked it out of a scrap heap for free and replaced $25 worth of caps in it. Best $25 I've ever spent. The 2465 is an analog scope with some digital functions (cursors and readout). Some of them have a digital storage option.

~Tom

manp111 · 2nd March 2011, 08:58 PM

I am actually thinking of getting a 2465/A/B.
Do you think it is worth it to get a 2465B or the other versions would be just as good?

28th February 2011, 10:34 AM	#3
Mooly diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	As above. Look for a minimum of 20 to 30mhz bandwidth, dual channel, and choose a model that has a high accelerating voltage for the CRT (10 kv or above to give a bright sharp trace). __________________ ------------------------------------------------------- *A simulation free zone.* *Design it, build it, test it.*

1st March 2011, 06:17 AM	#7
Mooly diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	The shots here were taken with my analogue scope, The best sounding audio integrated opamps My thoughts are as per BZed's above. Scope I use is shown in post #1026 It's a bit like comparing a digital camera and film. The digital one won't show the finest detail when you zoom in, the analogue lets you winkle out what's there limited only by the trace thickness and noise. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------- *A simulation free zone.* *Design it, build it, test it.*

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27th February 2011, 11:58 PM	#1
manp111 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Austin, Texas	Tektronix TDS714L or other Tek TDS series digital oscilloscope for stereo? I am looking to buy an oscilloscope. I don't have any experience with them. What do you guys think of the Tektronix TDS714L digital scope or other Tek digital scope for stereo equipment application? How do the analog scopes like Tek 2246 or 2465 compare to the Tek TDS714L for stereo equipment application?

28th February 2011, 09:19 AM	#2
mastodon diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2011	All I can say is that for tube audio, you don't really _need_ to shell out $3k on a scope. I'd settle for a simple dual beam analog 'scope.

28th February 2011, 10:41 PM	#4
manp111 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Austin, Texas	Are there anything that the Tek digital scope like TDS714L can't do but the analog scope can? I agree the TEK TDS714L is over kill for audio but I think it would be useful for other things as well.

1st March 2011, 12:12 AM	#6
BZed diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2009	I've worked in electronics for 40+ years and have used most of the Tek scope models at one time or another. For audio signals I would look for one of the older digital models that work dual mode. That is they work as an analog scope most of the time but have digital storage mode. With a straight digital scope it is very easy to miss some of the fast rise time events that can occur faster that the sampling time of the sweep rate you are using. Thats not to say I don't use digital scopes, I do. It's just that you need to look at the signal at several different sweep rates to make sure your not missing things. Some of the other features like FFT and wave form capture can be very usefull. If you want these other features then go for it. If you want a simple trouble shooting tool then go for the analog scope. BZ

1st March 2011, 06:33 AM	#8
manp111 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Austin, Texas	Thank you guys for the input

2nd March 2011, 08:55 PM	#9
tomchr diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greater Seattle Area	I absolutely love my TEK 2465B. 4 channels, 500 MHz. I picked it out of a scrap heap for free and replaced $25 worth of caps in it. Best $25 I've ever spent. The 2465 is an analog scope with some digital functions (cursors and readout). Some of them have a digital storage option. ~Tom

2nd March 2011, 08:58 PM	#10
manp111 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Austin, Texas	I am actually thinking of getting a 2465/A/B. Do you think it is worth it to get a 2465B or the other versions would be just as good?

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