jimjimbo Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Picked up a pretty old what looks like a PA/music amp that a guy had gotten out of a local dance hall some years ago. Loaded with tubes. Gave him $20 bucks for it, and raced back here....No idea if any of them are good, but would like to find out. Questions? Should I invest (modestly) in a tube tester? (I have other tube amps that I am using), or, can I take them somewhere to have them tested? Do RadioShack do this?, or, other advice? (send them off somewhere?) A couple of them don't look so great, but most are in good shape. Here's the list: (with quantities) Sylvania 6SN7 GTB (5) GE 6SN7 GTA (2) Sylvania 6SL7 GT (1) Philco 6SN7 GTB (1) Raytheon 6K6 GT (1) RCA 6C5 (1) Unknown 6AU6 (6) Admiral 6V6GT (1) National Union (NU) 6V6 GT (1) GE 6X5 GT (1) Unknown 12AU7 (2) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minermark Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 This guy is pretty straight forward and will anser questions. http://www.alltubetesters.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyto Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 I was a licensed TV repairman in the 70's when everything had tubes in it. I have used quite a few tube testers and they are not that reliable as far as trying to pinpoint a problem. They will always tell you if a tube is shorted, open or completely fried but will often show tubes that are just out of spec as good. The best way to test a tube is to replace it and see if the circuit works. My point is don't expect a miracle machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arash Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 brown base Sylvania 6SN7s are very nice-sounding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted August 21, 2014 Author Share Posted August 21, 2014 brown base Sylvania 6SN7s are very nice-sounding. Good to know, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tube fanatic Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 The only real way to know if a tube is good is to evaluate its performance in the circuit in which it will be used. Even the tubes which you say don't look so good may be just fine. Do you have a brand and model for this amp? That would be helpful in determining if it would be suitable for hi-fi applications and whether having it restored would be worth the expense. Maynard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted August 22, 2014 Author Share Posted August 22, 2014 The amp chassis is of no concern. I was looking for how/where to get tubes tested, in order to evaluate their relative value. I have no use for any of the tubes mentioned, so I would like to sell them to someone who could use them if they are worthwhile, that's it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeFord Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 brown base Sylvania 6SN7s are very nice-sounding. Matched pairs look like they go on ebay for $100 a pair or more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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