Looking to get a used function generator. I looked at all the HP, Leader, Wavetek, Tektronix, etc. generators at the lower price levels on eBay and the cheapest by far and cleanest (distortion-wise) is the HP 3325A. Dirt cheap, plenty of them, but huge. A very sophisticated machine, but huge.
Does anybody have a better suggestion for a generator that's smaller, cheap, generally available and better than 1% distortion on the sine wave?
Does anybody have a better suggestion for a generator that's smaller, cheap, generally available and better than 1% distortion on the sine wave?
the cheapest by far and cleanest (distortion-wise) is the HP 3325A
This one is not really suitable for any audio applications. If your limit is 1% THD (or THD+N in audio BW), nearly any synthesized FG will be fine.
Most function generators have poor sinewave.
This one is "perfect" for audio but hard to find:
It´s not a function Generator!
9085 Generator
Use babel fish or any other translator.
I said function generator, not oscillator. I already have a clean oscillator in my HP distortion analyzer.
I need the square wave and sweep in addition to a fairly clean sine wave. Would like the distortion on sine wave to be in the 0.1% to 0.5% area. This one is NOT for measuring distortion, it's for general use.
I need the square wave and sweep in addition to a fairly clean sine wave. Would like the distortion on sine wave to be in the 0.1% to 0.5% area. This one is NOT for measuring distortion, it's for general use.
You're looking at the right stuff, it's just that function generators tend to be used a lot and finding the right one in good shape can be tough. I'm partial to Waveteks, but they tend to be overpriced or low end. There's also Interstate. Very little known and hard to find manuals for, but good units. If you start looking at higher prices used stuff, you might be well to get a brand new entry level arb generator from somebody like Instek. They also make analog stuff. Probably the best of the inexpensive test equipment makers.
In this case cou can use many(!) FG´s.
Philips PM5190 (THD+N 1KHz, 1V, ca 0,45% 20 KHz bw.
Cheap & small
Philips PM 5190 Low Frequency Synthesizer
Krohn Hite 2500 (THD+N 1KHz, 1V 0,012 % 20 KHz BW )
Very good and versatile unit , ramps, triangle, pulse etc.., but hard to find.
Le Croy 9109 (with Remote or Easywave under MS-DOS) Standard FG + arb.
These are often cheap on Ebay, but they are not small (19")
Excellent signal Quality. BEST Squarewave Quality of all my FG´s . Even harmonics lower than -90 dB (!)
Sinewave THD+N 1V, 1KHz 0,12% 20K BW)
Philips PM5190 (THD+N 1KHz, 1V, ca 0,45% 20 KHz bw.
Cheap & small
Philips PM 5190 Low Frequency Synthesizer
Krohn Hite 2500 (THD+N 1KHz, 1V 0,012 % 20 KHz BW )
Very good and versatile unit , ramps, triangle, pulse etc.., but hard to find.
Le Croy 9109 (with Remote or Easywave under MS-DOS) Standard FG + arb.
These are often cheap on Ebay, but they are not small (19")
Excellent signal Quality. BEST Squarewave Quality of all my FG´s . Even harmonics lower than -90 dB (!)
Sinewave THD+N 1V, 1KHz 0,12% 20K BW)
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