Precision Test Equipment tube tester

[zigzagflux]

Hello:

Just bought my first tube tester (actually, it was given to me). It's a Precision 10-60. Wow! This thing looks really nice, and is clean. Switches and pots feel good. I'll open it up in a few days for a good inspection before I use it. Came from a guy whose dad used to repair TV's around the neighborhood.

How many of you actually use tube testers, versus just part swapping? Are they accurate as far as identifying bad tubes, but not always guaranteeing a good tube?

I would like to offer the guy a few bucks for this tester, as it looks so nice, but ebay doesn't have too many examples. So I guess my two questions are: Have I found a genuinely good tester, and what is it worth?

[Duo]

Well, I can't say much about that model myself having not used one. Or at least I don't recall using that out of the many I have used

I do have to say though that a good tube tester is a very valuable tool in working with tube electroncs; I have a few of them and use them regularly. Mine are both stark machines... Unfortunately, I don't even recall the model numbers at the moment.

Mine are of the mutual conductance type and I use them for performing gain measurements on tubes. This is nice whether I'm repairing, designing, building, etc. Whatever I'm doing, I always have one or both of my tube testers up on the bench when I'm working with tube equipment.

[retailer]

I had a presicion 10/12 a while back, I thought it was well made. Many cheaper testers use only 25 or so volts for testing whereas the Precision manual stated that it used real world voltages for testing which to me made it one of the better emission testers. Don't know what its worth, best bet it to keep watching Ebay.

[anatech]

Hi zigzagflux,
I use a Stark 9-66 - always. I also pay attention to what happens when the tubes are replaced.

Voltage measurements in a running circuit are often better than just pulling and testing tubes.

-Chris

[Duo]

Ah yes, now I recall the model number of one of my starks, it's the 9-66A, with a full set of updates and socket adapters. This is an old tester, but a nice one.

I seem to remember that my other stark is a 12-22 or something to that nature. Same idea but in a black case with newer sockets and features.

[anatech]

Hi Duo,
Do you have a picture of your 12-22? Sounds nice.

I also have an old VT/2U I'm going to set up. It looks like you actually set up all the electrode voltages.

-Chris

[Duo]

I don't have a picture of the one I have, but here's a picture of an identical one I found on the net.

[Original Burnedfingers]

I don't have a picture of the one I have, but here's a picture of an identical one I found on the net

I think that should belong to me.

[Duo]

Just keep your eyes open, the 9-66A was given to me by a dear friend.

The 12-22 was going to be thrown out by my highschool, so I took it, along with a lot of other nice things.

[Brian Beck]

Nice! I'm not familiar with that model, but it looks very respectable. Getting a good tube analyzer should be a goal for every tube-head. I've got a Triplett 3444 and a Hickok 752. I will be selling the latter on eBay in a few days, if anyone is interested.