The discussion on tube testers and their usefulness (or not) got me thinking about my own tube testing needs and how I go about it. I already have a solution for octal power tubes with the 7S base pinout which I’ve mentioned before. But what about those ubiquitous signal triodes I seem to use in almost every project? What should I do about them?
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Tubes and Tube Testers
I get a lot of questions from people looking at my website. Most questions are about the posted projects or requests for recommendations for test equipment. However a topic which comes up regularly is about vacuum tube testers. The questions range from simple a “Should I buy one?” to complex requests for information on types, operation, “accuracy” and the ever present question “Are they worth it?”. Unfortunately, the topic is actually much more complex that most people realize.
Continue readingWood and Metal
Well, the new version of the 6CY7 amp is coming together. The wood for the amp has gone from a raw 11″ x 58″ plank of Zebra Wood {Microberlinia brazzavillensis} into a finished amplifier chassis complete with four coats of Tru-Oil finish. I think it looks pretty good.
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