Bought a valve tester

[Racerxrated]

If the guy at Maximatcher would built a model that tests both two power tubes and two 12ax7 triodes he would have a runaway best seller, hell even if he scaled it down to one power tube and one preamp tube I think people could justify a grand for a unit that tests both tube types. I guess he has enough sales as it is for his two stand alone units.......

I recently picked up a calibrated Hickok 6000A in really good shape to replaced my od Heathkit TC-2 that wasn't as accurate but it would tell you if the tube was bad or not..... worth every penny IMHO.

I went super vintage and super cheap(lol) 8 yrs ago and bought a small Mighty Mite portable tube tester. Checks for emissions, grid leaks/shorts. Hasn't steered me wrong yet. Mainly used to make sure the tubes I buy, or what come in any amp I get are good. I didn't listen to my own advice with the last new amp I bought, the MT100. One of the new TAD 6L6GCs red plated soon after firing it up. After shutting it down, I tested them...brand new, matched and all....and they tested at 82%. Minimum good is 80%. Lol.
By comparison, the Sovtek 5881s from the 90s that I used to replace the TADs, tested at 115%.
Proving yet again, that new production tubes suck.

 

[harddriver]

I went super vintage and super cheap(lol) 8 yrs ago and bought a small Mighty Mite portable tube tester. Checks for emissions, grid leaks/shorts. Hasn't steered me wrong yet. Mainly used to make sure the tubes I buy, or what come in any amp I get are good. I didn't listen to my own advice with the last new amp I bought, the MT100. One of the new TAD 6L6GCs red plated soon after firing it up. After shutting it down, I tested them...brand new, matched and all....and they tested at 82%. Minimum good is 80%. Lol.
By comparison, the Sovtek 5881s from the 90s that I used to replace the TADs, tested at 115%.
Proving yet again, that new production tubes suck.

You didn't cheap out those Sencore Mighty Mites kick ass and are very good testers. There is one listed that I would by but it's about a three hour drive and not worth the gas after I got the Hickok 6000. I loved my Heathkit TC-2 but it was never calibrated but it did work and would tell me if the tube was strong good weak good or bad.

 

[FLUXX]

I bought an Orange Valve Tester Mk2 back in April, and I love it.
It's essential if you buy used amps.

Example: I bought a used PRS MT100 in perfect condition. It sounded good, but not brilliant.
I tested all the tubes and found 4 microphonic preamp tubes.
I replaced the preamp tubes and the amp sounds amazing.

I've found Worn, Failed and Microphonic preamp & power amp tubes in a number of amps that I bought used.
Makes me think most people just return or trade-in an amp when a tube starts failing or comes microphonic.
Now it's my gain. Thanks Orange Valve Tester Mk2.

 

[midnightlaundry]

I might have my next Sweetwater purchase. LOL
I have probably a coupe hundred Toobs I've acquired over the years..

 

[ners]

Makes me think most people just return or trade-in an amp when a tube starts failing or comes microphonic.
Now it's my gain. Thanks Orange Valve Tester Mk2.

This is literally why I bought one. Spent like $150 getting new tubes & bias only for it to still sound bad then a couple months later find out the power in my basement can drop below 110v at times which was why my amps kept sounding so different at times.

Since then I've tested every tube in every amp and also started rolling some preamp tubes. Now I just gotta find the time to learn to bias myself lol.

 

[midnightlaundry]

This is literally why I bought one. Spent like $150 getting new tubes & bias only for it to still sound bad then a couple months later find out the power in my basement can drop below 110v at times which was why my amps kept sounding so different at times.

Since then I've tested every tube in every amp and also started rolling some preamp tubes. Now I just gotta find the time to learn to bias myself lol.

Get a Bias Probe and yer dun..

https://www.eurotubes.com/store/pc/Eurotubes-Pro-One-Bias-Probe-for-octal-power-tubes-6p144.htm