At Home Tube Tester: What Would You Pay For One?

[Junk Yard Dog]

I'm curious what you guys think the value is of a reliable, accurate (95%+/-) at home tube tester. I've seen some of the mega testers in person from back in the day that cost thousands. Something similar to the Orange Valve Tester, but better and maybe under $1000. I presume there's not much of a market for this or it would exist.

I'm aware of the Maximatcher per and power amp testers will run you $2000.00+ and the AMplitrex is $2700, I think.

I think Orange was on the right track but abandoned it. For tube junkies, I think it would be a hit, but keep it in a simple format and under a grand.

Thoughts?

 

[LP Freak]

I'm curious what you guys think the value is of a reliable, accurate (95%+/-) at home tube tester. I've seen some of the mega testers in person from back in the day that cost thousands. Something similar to the Orange Valve Tester, but better and maybe under $1000. I presume there's not much of a market for this or it would exist.

I'm aware of the Maximatcher per and power amp testers will run you $2000.00+ and the AMplitrex is $2700, I think.

I think Orange was on the right track but abandoned it. For tube junkies, I think it would be a hit, but keep it in a simple format and under a grand.

Thoughts?

I’ve got a Hickok 600a and 6000a that are pretty accurate. You just have to make sure they’re calibrated. You can usually get these for under $500

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

I’ve got a Hickok 600a and 6000a that are pretty accurate. You just have to make sure they’re calibrated. You can usually get these for under $500

Nice. I wasn't aware of those. Do you use yours pretty often? And what do you think the market value is for something like this is new? I'm curious to see if it could be done or why it hasn't been done well in years. ...And I guess as tube amps die-off (debatable), there's no need for investment in this type of product.

 

[RaceU4her]

i dont know anyone who randomly tests their tubes to want to spend a thousand bucks on a tester seems like a tool for a tech or studios

 

[tonedog]

The Maximatchers are amazing. Provide great detail. Simple to use. I also have the Orange but it is not as good but still better than nothing. I have a ton of tubes and so it is useful for me. I picked up a modded Marshall last week. Sounded ok but a little ratty. I tested the Preamp tubes 1st. All three had issues and after replacing them and the power tubes it is a different and much better amp.

The Maximatchers are under $1000 but one is for preamp tubes and one is for power tubes. https://maximatcher.com

 

[PBGas]

If anyone wants an Orange VT1000, I have one that I would sell for a very fair price. I don’t have a use for it any longer. It is less than a year old.

 

[LP Freak]

Nice. I wasn't aware of those. Do you use yours pretty often? And what do you think the market value is for something like this is new? I'm curious to see if it could be done or why it hasn't been done well in years. ...And I guess as tube amps die-off (debatable), there's no need for investment in this type of product.

They’re way out of production and kind of antiques now, that’s why I said make sure you’re getting a calibrated one. Check out eBay. The maxi preamp and maximatcher are awesome but about $1K each. If I had the dough that’s what I’d grab

 

[glip22]

The maximatcher matches at 400 plate volts which will be good for most amps. If your amp has 450-500 plus they will probably not be matched because the maximum PV for matching on the unit is 400 volts. In order to have tightly matched tubes you need to match them at the higher plate voltage you will be using them in.

Years ago Tyler at TC tubes and myself did several tests because he would send me a quad that he thought was matched tight, and in my amp with 500 plate volts, it was not. He found this to be very true so he started asking questions about the circuit a customer would be using the tubes in, so he could match them at that plate voltage.

 

[psychodave]

The maximatcher matches at 400 plate volts which will be good for most amps. If your amp has 450-500 plus they will probably not be matched because the maximum PV for matching on the unit is 400 volts. In order to have tightly matched tubes you need to match them at the higher plate voltage you will be using them in.

Years ago Tyler at TC tubes and myself did several tests because he would send me a quad that he thought was matched tight, and in my amp with 500 plate volts, it was not. He found this to be very true so he started asking questions about the circuit a customer would be using the tubes in, so he could match them at that plate voltage.

You certainly have to make some assumptions, but I've found no serious drawbacks to the maxi-matcher testers. They work great and I recommend them.

 

[Samhain]

I got this 1970 Mercury 1101C this week cheap off CL and it works great.
I pulled the chassis and every switch, every solder joint/wire connection looks brand spanking new for 50 years old.
Sellers Dad was the former owner and took meticulous good care of it and it shows.
No need to spend $2K.
Ive been looking for the right deal for years.

 

[Deleted member 8761]

IMO the orange VT works great for testing power tubes, but I have doubts as to preamp tubes. My VT tested new JJ preamp tubes as weak, or new sovtek LPS as “fail“ while they still sounded good to me. Its a good tool if you buy a second hand amp and want to check the power tubes. I read somewhere that orange would be working on a new model"?

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

You certainly have to make some assumptions, but I've found no serious drawbacks to the maxi-matcher testers. They work great and I recommend them.

This +1.


The old Hickok, Triplett, Sencore, et al testers are museum pieces. They are curiosities at best. I also own and often use both the MaxiMatcher preamp and power tube testers and they work great. I also own the Amplitrex which is nice, but only tests one tube at a time, which is time consuming and not practical. It also needs a lot of setup. The MaxiMatchers are the way to go.

In answer to the OPs question, it depends on the capabilities of the unit, build quality and its accuracy. Somewhere in the $2K range would be my answer.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

All good feedback. It seems mixed on whether there's a real market for a modern at-home power and pre tester that is accurate and can be under $1000. But good suggestions for those looking for something now and part with some cash.

 

[glip22]

You certainly have to make some assumptions, but I've found no serious drawbacks to the maxi-matcher testers. They work great and I recommend them.

It is the best unit out there regardless. If it had variable plate voltage it would untouchable. Even at 400 plate volts you can usually get close enough for amps in the 500 PV range. You can get closer matching by calculating your bias by separating a quad into two pairs and add the sum of current draw for each pair since the OT does not see four tubes, only two pairs.

 

[guitarnie]

I have used a Mercury “Drug Store” tester for 20 years that gets me results really close to “lab” testers.
I mostly use for preamp and driver tubes.
Not really accurate for critical matched output pairs or quads but definitely gets you in the ballpark.
I picked mine up for about $150 with some NOS stock tubes back in 99.
I see them on CL and FB marketplace occasionally pretty cheap.
Mine is very similar to this one.

 

[Racerxrated]

I’ve got a Hickok 600a and 6000a that are pretty accurate. You just have to make sure they’re calibrated. You can usually get these for under $500

I picked up an ancient 'Mighty Mite' suitcase tube tester on eBay long ago, 100 bucks. The print date on the tube chart is 1961. Lol. It can be calibrated and tests for Emissions, Grid leaks and Shorts. Does the job well for me. Now, if I were a tube collector/reseller I'd have gone with something a little more elaborate. But it's been phenomenal when it comes to identifying tubes that I've bought that showed up with issues...hasn't happened very often but it's easier to not even attempt to put a tube in when the tester tells me its got issues.
At one point I had over 20 Mesa 415s...I've sold a few (since they are 75 or more used nowadays) and they all tested strong with my tester and the buyers all loved them. No issues.

 

[Racerxrated]

This +1.


The old Hickok, Triplett, Sencore, et al testers are museum pieces. They are curiosities at best. I also own and often use both the MaxiMatcher preamp and power tube testers and they work great. I also own the Amplitrex which is nice, but only tests one tube at a time, which is time consuming and not practical. It also needs a lot of setup. The MaxiMatchers are the way to go.

In answer to the OPs question, it depends on the capabilities of the unit, build quality and its accuracy. Somewhere in the $2K range would be my answer.

Gonna disagree only to say that my ancient museum piece has been spot on identifying a tube with issues...will it match tubes? No, but that's where you are going to spend a shit ton of cash on a MaxiMatcher vs doing a little more work with your Bias tool like I do...just test them in your amp to see where they fall (milliamp wise) and then you can find a matched quad out of your tube stash. All you need is a decent tube tester and a bias tool to test your tubes with your amp to get your matched duals or quads.
Its more work but it's also a helluva a lot less cash.
I just can't justify 2K on a tube tester/matcher unless I am a tube collector/reseller...which I am not. Using my little tube tester in conjunction with my Bias tool I have been able to match my tube sets nicely in my amps.

 

[Searay]

Times have changed, but I bought my Eico 666 back in the 90’s when I tried to replace some 12ax7 and everything I bought was total crap. Mine does not match power tubes, but I just do that in the amp. I’d say buy old, no company is going to invest in a high quality low cost tube solution.

 

[Samhain]

I got this 1970 Mercury 1101C this week cheap off CL and it works great.
I pulled the chassis and every switch, every solder joint/wire connection looks brand spanking new for 50 years old.
Sellers Dad was the former owner and took meticulous good care of it and it shows.
No need to spend $2K.
Ive been looking for the right deal for years.

It took me about 5 hours the first day & a few hours 2 more days to go thru my tube stash of 100 tubes.
There were some surprises, some of the Mesa 6L6 WXT+'s i had in a dual rec which sound fairly good tested low which surprised me. Repleced them with a quad of early 80's Phillips 6L6's that test very STRONG.
Also testing strong was every Chinese Mesa 12Ax7 i had most ive had over 16 years.
Also a pair of Phillips 6L6 & 6CA7's original to a 1985 MK III i had very STRONG too.
Losers : practically every Tungsol 12AX7 i had stashed for years were bad.
Cant believe i did the old "stick them in the amp" method for so many decades.
A good basic vacuum tube tester can save you alot of hassles.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Gonna disagree only to say that my ancient museum piece has been spot on identifying a tube with issues...will it match tubes? No, but that's where you are going to spend a shit ton of cash on a MaxiMatcher vs doing a little more work with your Bias tool like I do...just test them in your amp to see where they fall (milliamp wise) and then you can find a matched quad out of your tube stash. All you need is a decent tube tester and a bias tool to test your tubes with your amp to get your matched duals or quads.
Its more work but it's also a helluva a lot less cash.
I just can't justify 2K on a tube tester/matcher unless I am a tube collector/reseller...which I am not. Using my little tube tester in conjunction with my Bias tool I have been able to match my tube sets nicely in my amps.

They can tell you if a tube is good... but so will the Orange amps tester too. Which is newer and more reliable.

If you have a large collection of tube amps (which some of us do ) and time is money to you... it’s an easier decision. Wait til you have to repair one of those Hickok or similar testers. The repair bill will make you think twice. And very few people will even work on them anymore to begin with. YMMV.