Inexpensive tube tester?

[twangzilla]

What would you guys recommend for a cheaper tube tester? Preferably under $200. Thanks!

[Firestorm]

No such thing. Although Martin, what did you pay for your kit?

Got to be prepared for some work though.

[Phil_S]

If you are testing power tubes, you can build the Prestige tube tester. There was a recent thread with schematic. Should be under $200. You can cut costs by building it for only 2 tubes or for 2 octal and 2 noval. If you can only test 2 at at time, your PT requirements are less, but you'll need to work out the bias circuit to give you a range from about -10 to -45 or so.

[Stevem]

Unless you can build something for around 200 beans your better off just testing them in good functioning amp! Preamp tubes wise you can measure there output voltage level with just a voltmeter, plus test them for tone and microphonic level, the latter of which very few even expensive tube testers can do!
The only thing I for instance use my under 200 buck Heathkit emisson tester for is testing rectifier tubes, other wise it's my GM type tester followed by a listening test and play session in a amp!

[martin manning]

The uTracer is a fantastic machine, but not cheap. The kit is ~$300 for the board only, so an enclosure and socket array are needed... Maybe another $150. Its miles ahead of any vintage tester, though, so cheap for what it can do.

[premiumplus]

The uTracer is a fantastic machine, but not cheap. The kit is ~$300 for the board only, so an enclosure and socket array are needed... Maybe another $150. Its miles ahead of any vintage tester, though, so cheap for what it can do.

I built a uTracer and agree. It's terrific, I still need to case mine up and get it pretty but it works like a champ.