Tube Tester?

[Masterlu]

I bought a MaxiMatcher tube tester from Peter today myself.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I bought a MaxiMatcher tube tester from Peter today myself.

Wise choice for the wise man -- congrats. You'll like it. Very simplistic & forthright in testing large power tubes.

Bob

[cstmar01]

Thanks for the info! I'm going to pick up a MaxiMatcher.

I was always afraid of having a tube go while playing music which even though there are fuses I still don't like the idea of it happening. So this will give me a good peace of mind knowing that I can check them.

How often should one be checking their tubes? I try and listen at least once a week normally around 5 hours or so. I do more in the Winter as there is nothing else to do in the frozen lands known as WI so just wanted to check.

[dmnc02]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Very simplistic & forthright in testing large power tubes.

I fully agree with this. It is the SOTA part that I would argue with.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by dmnc02

I fully agree with this. It is the SOTA part that I would argue with.

SOTA is my phrase and its definition is a 201X year verses 195X's and upwards.

Bob

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by cstmar01

Thanks for the info! I'm going to pick up a MaxiMatcher.

I was always afraid of having a tube go while playing music which even though there are fuses I still don't like the idea of it happening. So this will give me a good peace of mind knowing that I can check them.

How often should one be checking their tubes? I try and listen at least once a week normally around 5 hours or so. I do more in the Winter as there is nothing else to do in the frozen lands known as WI so just wanted to check.

You'll be happy as those who have one or used one will punctuate.

I test my tubes about every 6 months or so; based on useage/hours over those 6 months. In your case, you could go without testing for longer than that.

Its peace of mind -- your decision. Start off the bat with testing and just keep track of the hours & maybe select a number, like 200 hours before the 2d test. Record the data and write on the base w/a sharpie or attach one of those small stickies with the testa data/date/estimated hours, etc. Many ways to record and keep track of the data (or number the tubes and make a spreadsheet on excel, etc).

Bob

[dmnc02]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

SOTA is my phrase and its definition is a 201X year verses 195X's and upwards.

In which case we fully agree on the MaxiMatcher.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by dmnc02

In which case we fully agree on the MaxiMatcher.

Cool beans as they (I) say.

Bob

[MyPal]

The 3 x MC2301s & C1000T are on 5-6 hrs every day.... More on the weekends. I am using TFK NOS in all amps & would like to go this way in the pre too. I've been swaying towards the Amplitrex AT1000 for these reasons. The other option is Maximatcher + Maxipreamp.

Has anyone any experience with the Maxipreamp?

Tube dealers seem to prefer the way more expensive Amplitrex.

I am using multiple ENM meters on all main gear & the hours are ticking over.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by MyPal

Has anyone any experience with the Maxipreamp?

I have not.

Regarding the 12v tubes -- I have never had one go bad in an operational system.

On the other hand, its handy to have a tester for testing those; there are tube tester restorers out there & the outlay for a renovated tester is much less (eBay is a definite crap shoot & not recommending that site for anything resembling a tube tester).

Again, I'm not dis'ing the Amplitrex -- probably the best SOTA all round tester on the planet; but jeez it's expensive & more than 95% are willing to spend (that's plenty of SACD's/LP's).

Bob