how do you know a bad tube?

Newbee
Well I sort of got that bit all by my lonesome, but it's good you pointed it out. ...and if you have but one tube and no twin? (several tubes, two singles, different types: and one type is pairs)??

Montytx
Thanks. perhaps you missed my handle, and refference to an oscilator (audible indicator), but thanks anyway. Although, unless one is familiar with the tube archetecture beforehand, past the obvious, what could one hope to glean?
Maybe I missed your point.

if there are same/same tubes on either channel, certinaly one can swap back and forth. Sure, if a tube won't light up.. yep, it's dead. There are tube components that do not duplicate the tubes within it throughout its design.

Then what?

In that case there is no other tube present to swap about within the unit. That scenario happens to be the case in an upcoming unit for me, so I thought it may well be also the way with the possible amp (s), therefore I thought to avail myself of some greater experience, or unbeknownest to me, device or method, before the fact.

it would seem at this point only having exact same spares or a tester, is the ticket... and/or at least an inexpensive integrated with pre outs and main ins, or a couple of real budget pre & amp pieces about just in case.

Larryken
Got it. Thanks. i never did notice much of a diff in the VK5i, from swapping from side to side... as the thing biases itself each time... but then I must never have had a severely poor tube. the biggest/best thing in that unit I found was having all the same tubes in the signal path, and play with something in the shunts. ultimately, i found that the simplest and best way to outfit the unit.

Larryi
it sure does seem the way. Another set entirely. Geezzz Louise.

See I was thinking there is some really neat gizmo out there that one can plug a tube into for just strength or short testing. Like a wiggins voltmeter.... and I'd not have to spend hundreds for a tester i probably cant read well enough anyways... and need to periodically recalibrate.

Oil well. Thanks. Thanks very much... of course if there is someone out there who knows of a simple tester which does a good job is sturdy, with B-I-G meters, and seldom requires calibration...I would like to hear about it, and where it is available.

A couple of the tube amps I am thinking about have quite a number of tubes in them... and some singles in there as well... an affordable tester I could use does seem relevant to have if you're going to pursue an all tube system, doesn't it?.

Capt369
i apologize for not promptly or even regularly giving some followup there. i will.

Larryi
yeah. i was just hoping aginnst hope, I had overlooked something easy, or some other fashion or method going forward to check things out. if I do wind up with a pair of tube mono blocks as well, and something goes awry, I'll have a coniption fit trying to swap in and out tubes from a second set as was mentioned previously... but is a good idea. one I have followed in the past. one also that is a mite pricey. As I chose then to get them all from reputable dealers and none have actually gone bad on me Save the first set i got which came with the preamp, but were disposed of shortly thereafter. man. if there is anything I hate to do it's trash a tube that still lights up, and it is tiresome and expensive to send them out to have checked. Not to mention the waiting period (s).

OK. A second set instead of a tester. Super.

Does anyone make one tube monos?

Entrope

yes, $100 - $300 is cheap. I'd have no issues going for something like that. My concerns, are it's use. meter/display size, and calibration needs... doing twin triodes, large power tubes, in all, it's flexibility and naturally it's accuracy.

meters/displays need be of substantioal size for me. Figuring it out is not much of a problem there after. although I appear dumb as a stump sometimes, i don't believe I really am.

Waht resource sells these things?

Jaybo
OK... i GIVE UP. Wadaya mean? they could wink, blink, and nod for all I'd know. I can't look them in the eye either. So we are eeven.

I did learn one good thing just a few moments ago... the upcoming preamp uses "two" types of tubes... not three. Whew! two 12AT & two 12AX. From the maker all four are but $125. having heard it with stock tubes, it suited me as was.

Newbee

"My biggest fear about owning a tester is just imagine how anal you could get about tube condition and how much time you could spend monitoring their condition."

you're supposed to monitor them too?

Sweet god. and I thought I had this near licked. I'll do my best to restrain myself. Once the lid is on, as you said, there's enough left to futz with without doing that too.

Larry
it matters not how I go about it... I always get a wee bit of a pop. bigger if I shut down the pre first though. I don't do that anymore. but there still is a little pip.. nothing like a serious P-O-P! though.

Entrope

thanks. Called Sencore up in Sioux Falls today. that was fun... all the way up till we got around to finding out they no longer supported nor made vacum tube testers. I did manage to find one resource. One I'll likely get. tests for gases, shorts, strength, and some other junk... comes with books and a 30 day warranty. Big meter. Also found an online resource for cross referencing tube types - Duncan tube data base. TDB.

Found out about it... haven't found IT yet. I will though.

Entrope
thanks, I will.