Tube Tester for 9-pin pentodes

[David Root]

Other than the vintage testers, is there anything out there that will check out preamp pentodes like 5879, EF86 and so on? I found one modern design that will do practically everything, but it's $2,400!! (The Amplitrex 1000).

Or even a schematic I could build myself just for 9-pin pentodes. I have a VTV twin triode tester so the pentode capability is all I need.

[gearhead]

Email the VTV guys; they can make an adapter board for your VTV tester for EF-86s (or others, I imagine).

[David Root]

I didn't know that! Thanx a lot, I will do that.

[Johnhenry]

B&K is the only cheap tester that manufactured tube tester's up to the end of manufacturing of U.S. tube's, that might cover the 9 pin's your wanting to test, most company's that made good, cheap tester's in the 40's through the 60's don't cover the last production of newer 9 pin's. some company's added supplement sheet's for some of the better tester's that you see being sold online now. and you may find a supplement sheet and add/on's for your tester.
Johnhenry

[David Root]

I have a B&K AF signal generator from the '80s that works fine. I'll have to check that out too. I hate to go Ebay though, it's full of sheisters.

I sent an e-mail to Vacuum Tube Valley asking for a quote on a 5879 adapter. We'll see what they come up with. I paid $800 for the VTV digital dual triode tester 4 years ago, and it has been a great tool. Now they have Mark II at $1,000!! Their stuff is good, but I think they are getting a bit too proud of it.

[gearhead]

PM sent.

[David Root]

Thanx for the tip, gearhead.

For others who may be interested, VTV want $175 for an adapter board for the 5879 for their tube tester. Unforunately the 5879 appears to have a unique basing so for $175 I can only test one pentode. (They want $125 for the adapter for an EF86).

Too rich for me. For $175 I can buy 10 or 12 5879s to find a few that aren't microphonic, which is the main object of the exercise for me. I already have three.