Serving thousands of satisfied customers worldwide since 1995

NEW SECURE SSL

On-Line Order Form

Dual Triode Preamp Vacuum Tube Characterizer (Version II)

Version II with higher sensitivity and power supply upgrade - More stable

Audiophile/Tech *Net Price: Email for Price

Note: We will only be selling this tester for a limited time, so reserve yours now.

(Optional octal socket adapter/socket saver $70 each can also be used in preamps to listen to octals and other types of 9-pin tubes)

Finally, an instrument-grade audio preamp tube tester is available for OEMs, tube dealers, tube techs and tube audio enthusiasts! This is the only product of its type available! The new Dual Triode Vacuum Tube Characterizer performs valuable tests on audio tubes that cannot be done on Hickock and other radio/TV tube testers. Our tester has a built-in speaker and headphone jack so

You can hear if your tube is microphonic or noisy in the tester!

in test for noise and microphonics without plugging the tube into an amp, also, you can check both triodes with a flip of the switch! This is not possible with a 539C, TV-7, Hickock 6000A, B&K and all other Radio/TV service tube testers!

Tube Dealers, this device will pay for itself in less than a month, from then on, it is a profit machine. No more returns from picky customers who get microphonic tubes. Save thousands in time and money!!

Amp manufacturers, experience fewer returns, problems and service issues with this tester. You cannot afford to be without this very valuable device!

NOTE: This tester tests Dual Triode Preamp Tubes only, it does not test power tubes or radio tubes. If you want to test power tubes go to: www.maximatcher.com

Note:  This product is not a George Kaye tester. It is a completely different circuit and does many different things.  It is easier to use, faster and more portable.

This valuable tool can help you test  tubes for the very best quality and premium grading. You can also test your used tubes to insure they are the best quality. Sellers of premium and NOS vacuum tubes on the Internet can get the highest prices for noise free and low microphonic preamp tubes. This instrument will pay for itself very quickly. OEMs of audio equipment and guitar amps can quickly grade tubes for high reliability and customer satisfaction. Tube techs and roadies can use this device on their bench or in the field at a concert or gig.

Myles Rose of Groove Tubes loves the tester and is using it in his Guitar Amp Blue Printing shop in LA. Other users include Bad Cat Amps, Eurotubes, KCA Tubes, Mercury Amps, Tube Depot, Tube World, The Tube Store, Doug's Tubes, etc. 

We have sold close to 200 of these testers world-wide with absolutely no returns!!!

Testimonial from Ralph Harris, Santa Cruz, CA:

"I would like to congratulate Charlie Kittleson and Eric Barbour for a successful design and implementation of a great modern tube testing device. I just received it yesterday and it already paid for itself! Selling and testing tubes in front of a group of very finicky and shall I say, anal-retentive audiophiles is a daunting task, but the VTV tester made it a fairly easy go.  I was able to sell extra tubes to these guys, mainly due to your unit putting their minds at ease about the product.

I have used all sorts of tube testers in the past, but never one like this. I'm especially impressed with the microphonics tests and cathode-to-cathode balancing capabilities, not to mention the dual triode testing, with just a flick of the switch! Try this on your old beat-up TV-7 or 539C!!

This unit is my favorite, the best piece of gear on my bench, and my first choice for small signal tubes and octals. And by far it's the most fun to work with. I had it up and running with just a quick read of the manual. I am going to recommend this device to every tech I know, but also to any committed tube-loving audiophile with moderate electronic knowledge, as it's simple enough for anyone who is familiar with vacuum to learn to operate."

This tester is highly accurate and reliable compared to older antique radio types. It is destined to be the new standard for audio tube testing.

Note: Vintage Guitar Magazine reviewed the VTV Tester in their January 2003 issue. Check it out.  www.vintageguitar.com

The Dual PreampTriode Characterizer performs the following valuable tests:

1. Tube Microphonics and Noise tests for Both Triodes - Uses either internal speaker, headphone jack or scope out to actually see the tube noise. With this feature, you can carefully evaluate you tubes to eliminate the noisy and microphonic ones. This is extremely important for guitar amps and sensitive phono stages. This instrument tests for microphonics using the tap test. You can actually hear tube microphonics and noise for each triode section.

2. Gain Test for Both Triodes -This is extremely valuable in matching tubes for sensitive phono and gain stages. Quickly compares tube output on both sections for perfect matched tubes. Determines sensitivity of tubes and projected useful life. Meter is calibrated specifically for medium and high gain types.

3. Balanced Section Test -This is important for absolutely the closest cathode current match. This is essential for sensitive phono and preamp stages to get the maximum performance out of your tube equipment.

Dual Triode Characterizer Features

1. Extremely durable cast aluminum alloy case 3/16 inch thick. Beautiful silver sparkle powder coated finish, very tough and attractive. Fun to use and operate. A real time and money saver. 4 inch built in speaker.

2. Highly developed stable proprietary circuit uses three regulated internal DC power supplies for both filament and plate voltages. Extremely stable and accurate within 1%. The most modern portable tube tester in the world!!!

3. Super high quality Micanol NOS tube socket for long life plus - professional quality components, switches, controls and jacks for maximum life and reliability. Illuminated with red LEDs, the dual meter allows use in low light environments.

4. Efficient control layout for fast testing to save valuable time.

5. Separate external regulated 12V DC power supply wall wart. Optional adapters available for foreign voltage applications.

6. Compact size - will fit in standard brief cases and tool boxes for maximum portability.

7. Octal socket adapters available for 6SL7/6SN7/12SN7 tubes $70 each.

Dual Preamp Triode Characterizer Controls

1. Calibrated dual illuminated meter for gain tests, and triode cathode current balance. Back-lit with ultra-cool RED LEDs.

2. Heavy-duty On/Off toggle switches for: power, 6 and 12 volt filaments, tube type selector, triode in test

3. Rotary switch for high gain types (12AX7, 12AT7, 5751, etc.), medium gain types (12AU7, 6922, 7308, 6CG7, etc.) and Test for Microphony and Noise.

4. Momentary push-button switch for triode cathode current draw balance.

5. High-quality military type sealed Bourns volume control for internal speaker or headphone jack.

6. BNC jack for output to oscilloscope or distortion analyzer.

7. 1/4 inch headphone jack and 4 inch high quality built-in speaker.

Tests the Following Dual Triode PreampTube Types

6CG7, 6FQ7, 12BH7, ECC182

6DJ8, ECC88, 6922, CV2492, CV2493, E88CC, 7308, E188CC, Cca, etc.

6SL7GT, 5691, VT-229

6SN7, 6SN7W, 6SN7GT, 6SN7GTB, VT-231, 5692, etc. (with $60 optional adapter)

12AT7, CV4024, ECC81, E801CC, 6201, etc.

12AU7, 5963, 5814, CV4003, ECC82, E802CC, etc.

12AX7, ECC83, E803CC, 5751, 6681, CV4004, etc.

12SN7, 12SL7, etc.

Optional adapters for EF86, 6GH8, 7199, etc (Please inquire - prices vary)

Note:  This tester does not test audio power tubes or old radio tubes.

email for price plus shipping and applicable CA state sales taxes. Typical insured US shipping and handling in US is $25-35. and $75 for Europe or Asia

Optional Octal Socket adapter with socket saver $70 each.

Also allows the testing of 6SN7, 6SL7s and 7199s and 6GH8/6U8s, EF86, 7199, etc. using jumper leads. 

Optional 220V adapter for Japan or Europe Available for an additional $70

(includes wall plug for your country)

  On-Line Order Form

VACUUM TUBE VALLEY  

P.O. Box 1499,  Lakeport, CA 95453  USA

Telephone ORDER Line: 707-349-3009 -ORDERS ONLY

Telephone Hours Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM PST

EMAIL for product questions or technical support

Please use our secure, fast and convenient On-Line Order Form

Check out our NEW VTV WEB STORE with Shopping Cart

Copyright © 1995-2009 Vacuum Tube Valley.  All rights reserved.  Vacuum Tube Valley is a USA Registered Trademark