[robertwstephens]

Hello!  I am looking for suggestions for testing equipment to test my Hagtech tube products.  I am just getting ready to assemble my Clarinet.  I currently only have a Fluke 111 RMS DMM.  I am looking for good value and for very light use.  I might be interested in Oscilloscope recommendations and the easiest way to test for distortion.  Of course I would love to have a VacuTrace to test tubes someday.  Peace.  Robert

[hagtech]

For me, the most advantageous tool to have in the shop is a scope.  Even if it is just one channel.  I'd recommend getting an older Tek scope from eBay.  Probably snag one for $100.  Also, try to get one in perfect condition, it's worth the extra $50.

jh

[robertwstephens]

What features should I look for?  Thanks for the input!

Robert

[JoshK]

I've never seen a Tek scope anywhere near that price, but I could have just missed it.  The ones I saw had another zero on the end. 

I got a Kikusui scope, that was recommended on a diy forum as a Japanese equivalent of a Tek.  Mine is 5 channel and 100Mhz.  Some say that is too fast to be useful for audio, making it hard to read, others say it is necessary to trace down oscillations or work on digital circuits.  I haven't used it yet, as I really don't know how, because I have had the need to learn yet.

I have heard others say that a dual channel 20Mhz scope is what you want. 

[hagtech]

Ah yes, I mean an "old" Tek analog scope.  Something from the 70's perhaps.  Only problem is paying the freight bill.  Here's a few examples:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tektronix-Oscilloscope-7623A_W0QQitemZ140055735258QQihZ004QQcategoryZ104247QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tektronix-Model-2445-with-10x-probe-Manual_W0QQitemZ230057547396QQihZ013QQcategoryZ104247QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/TEKTRONIX-2235-100-MHz-AN-USM-488-OSCILLOSCOPE-2-CHAN_W0QQitemZ270059644125QQihZ017QQcategoryZ104247QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tektronix-465M-100Mhz-2-Channel-Oscilloscope_W0QQitemZ120058034040QQihZ002QQcategoryZ104247QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tektronix-7603-100-MHz-Oscilloscope-with-2-Plug-ins_W0QQitemZ160055202866QQihZ006QQcategoryZ104247QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Ok, I haven't really looked at these listings.  There's 15 pages of these things.  Take your time and go through carefully.  Don't jump the gun.  Have a little patience until you find just the right one for you.  Make sure it is in confirmed good operating condition.  Should have a decent appearance cosmetically if it was taken well care of.  Try to find one that includes probes.  Finally, look to see what shipping might be.

You don't need a lot of speed for audio, 20MHz will do.  XY capability is nice, because then you can someday buy a VacuTrace.

jh

[JoshK]

Thanks Jim for pointing those out....back when I was looking I don't think I ever saw a tek under $400...must have just been I wasn't searching for the right things. 

[dnewman]

And for an intro to oscopes, try

   http://www.doctronics.co.uk/scope.htm

Also, if buying used always look carefully at the pics for things
like missing knobs.  For instance, there's a Hameg 303-6 on eBay
right now which, if you didn't know better, you might not notice
that the concentric TIME/DIV control knobs are missing.  (The seller
doesn't note this fact either.)

Cheers,
Dan