Oscilloscope basic tube amp tests.
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 5:38 am
I have a Tek 2215 60 Mhz scope that I picked up for $100.
I have managed to collect the matching CFG250 2 Mhz Function Generator for $40, and the CFC200 100 Mhz Frequency counter for $40. I have a cheap audio signal generator that seems to do the trick. I also have a nice fluke multimeter. Lots of other misc.
It has taken me a while to come up with this stuff, but I feel like I have everthing I need to properly test tube amps that I build, which has been my latest passion.
I have built about 4 amps now. I use my scope to look at the B+ and to take care of any problems with that. I can test simple things like preamp tube output while driving the amp with the audio signal generator.
Here is my problem......
I would like to find an faq on the full realm of tests to confirm both maximum output wattage and to test output at different frequencies.
All my amps sound good, but I want to make sure they sound their best. You know how it goes, when amps start piling up, you have to sell some in order to afford to make others. I want the person who gets these amps to be thrilled about their performance. I would like to provide some visual data. I assume that a dummy load is probably put acrossed the speaker output, that a signal is supplied and compared to the output....
I really need a step by step using the tools I have to verify and possibly debug my tube amps.
You folks seen any FAQs like that?
I have managed to collect the matching CFG250 2 Mhz Function Generator for $40, and the CFC200 100 Mhz Frequency counter for $40. I have a cheap audio signal generator that seems to do the trick. I also have a nice fluke multimeter. Lots of other misc.
It has taken me a while to come up with this stuff, but I feel like I have everthing I need to properly test tube amps that I build, which has been my latest passion.
I have built about 4 amps now. I use my scope to look at the B+ and to take care of any problems with that. I can test simple things like preamp tube output while driving the amp with the audio signal generator.
Here is my problem......
I would like to find an faq on the full realm of tests to confirm both maximum output wattage and to test output at different frequencies.
All my amps sound good, but I want to make sure they sound their best. You know how it goes, when amps start piling up, you have to sell some in order to afford to make others. I want the person who gets these amps to be thrilled about their performance. I would like to provide some visual data. I assume that a dummy load is probably put acrossed the speaker output, that a signal is supplied and compared to the output....
I really need a step by step using the tools I have to verify and possibly debug my tube amps.
You folks seen any FAQs like that?