Swampwalker ...sage advice. I'm in full agreement.
Fuses more so than tubes seemed the issue with the 'other' Thor/BAT user... and i think he was using a bridged pair of vk60s as vk120's. whether that matters or not i've no idea.
we'll see soon enough.
i looked into the "tube tester" briefly. Calibration is the key. Without that being accurate in the tester even with one it’s as you said, “… a pig in a poke” .
Many I saw for sale were old, out of date, unsupported, yet said to be working and recently calibrated. Several makers of tube testers told me personally even after calibration, the return shipment can put it back to it’s previous “OUT OF CAL” issues.
How does one get past that?
More importantly, finding one that is both simple to use, with a sufficiently large view meter (3” x 3” more or less), and associated electronic text (PC viewable for settings etc), and remains in calibration or can be calibrated on site… well then I’d likely be headed that way as long as it ain’t too expensive.
I’ve had the thought that in today’s digital domain there sure should be some IC set type testing gear using chips and such inside to test tube variables with and not so prerequisite of regular calibration…. And cheap.
I’ve done some of that tube buying from hobbyists… and pros…both in my exp. Have been a mixed bag, save those I’ve bought from Andy b. his have served me well, had no issues and provided good results.
Though having a tester on site does what really? Whose tester gets the nod? Mine or the sellers? I sure see it’s value for periodic testing of one’s own supply…. But as a lie detector? I don’t know about that part.
I reckon it’d be a nice thing were I out scroungeing up tubes on my own away from retail venues though.
I’m probably better served in the long run to stick with those sellers people like you point me to than attempting to become a tube monger myself.
