So I would like to purchase my first oscilloscope and I also need a function generator obviously.
I have been searching around and locally the prices for old 2nd hand stuff are ridiculous. About 200-300 euros for 15-20 year old equipment.
I was looking at the Smart scope from https://www.lab-nation.com and it looks like a nice all-in-one to begin using these sort of tools. It works with mac which is a must as I only have an apple computer and an iPad.
I am looking to learn basic stuff like measuring power amplifier power output, checking for oscillation in circuits, adjusting and biasing of amplifier stages and so on.
Any thoughts on alternatives, or should I really go with analog equipment?
I have been searching around and locally the prices for old 2nd hand stuff are ridiculous. About 200-300 euros for 15-20 year old equipment.
I was looking at the Smart scope from https://www.lab-nation.com and it looks like a nice all-in-one to begin using these sort of tools. It works with mac which is a must as I only have an apple computer and an iPad.
I am looking to learn basic stuff like measuring power amplifier power output, checking for oscillation in circuits, adjusting and biasing of amplifier stages and so on.
Any thoughts on alternatives, or should I really go with analog equipment?
I am in a similar position as you, but with the added constraint that I currently have no room to store the devices. While not strictly an oscilloscope, I have decided to buy a QuantAsylum QA401 in the near future. It is described as an "audio analyzer," but I understand that it also has an oscilloscope feature (although, of course, I may have misunderstood). Seems like it will do most basic testing I would want, so might be worth considering.
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There is nothing wrong with an old analog scope, provided it works, but a new digital scope will have a warranty, and some added convenience. Rigol DS1054z is €339 new at Batronix.
For a function generator, what are your needs beyond what you can get from a sound card?
For a function generator, what are your needs beyond what you can get from a sound card?
What level of scope frequenzy would be the minimum for audio related measurements? (Quasimodo?)
I'm playing around with a cheap 20 MHz Picoscope that I bought for learning purposes, but I suspect I need higher performance.
I'm playing around with a cheap 20 MHz Picoscope that I bought for learning purposes, but I suspect I need higher performance.
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The old tektronix scopes are very cool, any would suit you just fine if you can get one that is working at a good price.
For the function generator I just love the Tektronix TM503 (3 compartment power module mainframe) which holds 3 plug in units. I've got a FG501 function generator plugin, DM501 multimeter plugin and a dual power supply (DS503 I think).
If the price for all this ancient stuff is too high, what about the newer tiny digital units, perhaps the DSO203 (made by a number of different companies)? has 4 inputs and a function generator built in.
https://www.amazon.com/SainSmart-DSO203-Portable-Oscilloscope-Bandwidth/dp/B0057M7YLE
EDIT- I don't have the DSO203 but it does seem like a neat little unit with up to 70MHZ analog bandwidth or so they say (not sure how accurate this is). I wonder if it can do FFT's?
The old tektronix scopes are very cool, any would suit you just fine if you can get one that is working at a good price.
For the function generator I just love the Tektronix TM503 (3 compartment power module mainframe) which holds 3 plug in units. I've got a FG501 function generator plugin, DM501 multimeter plugin and a dual power supply (DS503 I think).
If the price for all this ancient stuff is too high, what about the newer tiny digital units, perhaps the DSO203 (made by a number of different companies)? has 4 inputs and a function generator built in.
https://www.amazon.com/SainSmart-DSO203-Portable-Oscilloscope-Bandwidth/dp/B0057M7YLE
EDIT- I don't have the DSO203 but it does seem like a neat little unit with up to 70MHZ analog bandwidth or so they say (not sure how accurate this is). I wonder if it can do FFT's?
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