Anybody in Fife have a valve tester?

[Si74]

30 odd valves in the system becomes a tad boring when it's always the last one that's the culprit.
Used to be ok as I bought one that went tits up, then I borrowed one(for a few years).
Have a large pile of tubes and don't believe both in each pair were culprits but no way of knowing
without risking fireworks:eek:

My spares are dwindling along with my faith:doh:

[Andrei]

I was thinking I knew a few things about valves after having bought my first valve based component (phonostage) but now I realise I know nothing.

[archiesdad]

Si74, my mate is/was an electronics engineer but he's on holiday at the mo, I think he'll be back sunday, I'll ask him them, if he doesn't have one he might know where to source one locally.

[Jazid]

If you, fancy paying postage down and back to Anglo-Saxon ville Londinium I will test them for you. Pm to let me know what they are as a few big triodes and 10 pin oddities don't test well on my Avo, but happy to help if required.

[Si74]

Thanks for the replies and offers.
My mate is coming up from England in a few weeks so hoping he can bring his tester
up with him.
A tad late as a 6x4 in my pre went and I fear it has taken out at least one of my
Meridian M2s. Sad ending for speakers that have served me well for 30 years:eyebrows:

[Ali Tait]

Ouch! Don't have a tester Simon, otherwise would have given you a shout.

[Jazid]

Very sorry to hear it. Seems a bit extreme, was there an almighty 'whump' or something as the tube went? I somehow imagine a pair of Meridian actives would have either overload or fuse protection? Fingers crossed for you!

By the way Simon, was it you who sold me a bunch of 6SN7s a few years back? A hearty thanks if so [emoji2]

[Ali Tait]

Aye, I'd have thought. Perhaps a fuse?

[Si74]

Hi Jazid,

if it was a flight case full, then probably, there were some nice tubes amongst them,
shame I sold the Supratek that used them, another mistake.

Put power to the left M2 and all sorts of horrendous noises till the plug was fully home.
Then tried swapping the left pre out to the right and enough crackles pops to make me think
bad idea.
Had the power boards out today and checked, all fuses ok, both speakers power up without any extraneous noises,
the right switches of with the usual thump, the left seems a tad different.
Not keen to risk my remaining pre in a test but may have some guitar effects with a pre out that I could
live without if it goes pop!
Fingers crossed the speakers may be ok but the Supratek needs some tlc as I'm fairly sure it's went dc on
one channel. No spare 6x4s to try it and just glad it wasn't in the main system as a goosed Audiopax
would result in Hari Kari:lol:

[Ali Tait]

If you need a hand, or any different kit to try, let me know. I'm free tomorrow afternoon.

[Si74]

Hi Ali,

big cheers for the offer but I'm off to the Bike Show followed by a curry in Boness (Ghurka Kitchen big up) so unavailable.
big system is sounding well nice with the wee Audio Mirror pre of the telly sans sub woofers, ultra tweeters and speaker filters.
Thinking a speaker might be the problem I swapped them round, no easy task given the 75Kg each.
Super tweeters to the outside sounds very different but maybe better.
Hope your new job is panning out and would like your thoughts on the system when you can manage along.
About 4K dollars downsized at the moments but swings roundabouts and always value a good set of ears opinion.
Just happy I still have music,
Come Sunday I will get the room analyser out and stick the subs and other snake oil in and see what happens.
The occassional challenge at least keeps you on your toes, p.i.t.a. when you think you've finally cracked it thto:lol:

[Ali Tait]

Indeed, though I see it as, it's always good to hear an alternative to what you have. Nowt to do with competition or anything like. We like what we like. What I like most is criticism to be honest, when others listen to my system, when I have folks round. It's so much more constructive.

S'why the Scottish Mafia do's are so useful, none of us have an ego, we're just interested in the best sound we can make with what we have to hand.

If we can help each other towards that goal, well, that's what it's all about is it not?

Tis for me anyway.