The only book exclusively dedicated to vacuum tube (valve) testers. Design, functionality, calibration and modifications of testers by B&K, Hickok, Triplett, Mercury, Sencore, Weston, Simpson, AVO, Taylor, RCA, Precise, Precision, Eico, Jackson, Sylvania, Knight, Heathkit, Seco, Sico, Conar, Metrix and other brands are covered in detail.

Heathkit was world renowned as a manufacturer of electronics in kit form. This book covers Heathkit's test equipment, starting with a brief history of Heathkit, an overview of the test equipment product lines and tips on buying and restoring vintage test equipment from sources like eBay. Separate chapters cover the major categories of component testers and substitution boxes, frequency counters, meters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, signal generators, tube testers and checkers and miscellaneous test equipment. Each chapter includes one or more "In-Depth" sections that look at a representative model from the author's Heathkit collection covering its features, operation, and notable quirks or trivia. The appendix provides a list of references and resources including books, web sites, and suppliers of parts, manuals and related products and services as well as a detailed product listing of every known model of test equipment produced by Heathkit.

Types and causes of tube failures, what to expect from tubes, testing methods, and all about tube maintenance programs. Over 80% of all electronic equipment defects result, directly or indirectly, from tube failures. Why do tubes fail? What can be done to prevent them from failing before there time? How can you determine whether a tube is good or bad,or how well and how long it will work in a given circuit? Should tubes be replaced periodically,whether they've failed or not...or should they be tested every so often,and replaced if indications show them to be below par? This book supplies the answers to these and many many more questions!

This book is written for electronic hobbyist interested in working with vacuum tube circuits. A wide range of reference material related to vacuum tubes and audio are concise with examples and illustrations.Principles of vacuum tube operation includes function of grids, effect of tube capacitance, tube resistance, heat dissipation and voltage gain. A table of component values for the popular 12AX7 in various operating parameters simplifies amplifier stage design. Power supply sections cover vacuum tube and solid state rectifier conversion of AC to DC and DC filtering. A sample power supply is used to explain calculating loads, determining required transformer ratings and component values. Includes high voltage, bias and filament supplies.For the novice not versed in electronics several sections cover electronic basics. Includes how capacitors work, voltage, current, ohms law and reading circuit drawings.Working with electronics and vacuum tube circuits requires some math. Circuit calculations in this book use various forms of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Formulas are all solvable using a standard 12 digit calculator. Calculations are presented with examples.The last part of the book has amplifier project circuits with parts list and component layout drawings. Projects include a line amplifier with 25db gain, triode balanced-unbalanced input stage, tone control stage, turntable pre-amplifier, 6V6SE Class A stereo amplifier, 6V6SE Class A monoblock amplifier, 30 watt monoblock amplifier and a 5 watt guitar amplifier with adjustable overdrive. The 30 watt monoblock amplifier is designed for tube rolling using various type output tubes.Current version of book was updated in April of 2017.

The only practical transformer design & construction manual in English language, 40+ designs (winding diagrams) of power, output & interstage transformers, filtering, grid & anode chokes. Covers physical fundamentals of magnetic circuits & transformers and makes design easy by using simple rules-of-thumb formulas to keep calculations to a minimum.

Building Valve Amplifiers is a unique hands-on guide for anyone working with tube audio equipment--as an electronics hobbyist, audiophile or audio engineer. This 2nd Edition builds on the success of the first with technology and technique revisions throughout and, significantly, a major new self-build project, worked through step-by-step, which puts into practice the principles and techniques introduced throughout the book. Particular attention has been paid to answering questions commonly asked by newcomers to the world of the valve, whether audio enthusiasts tackling their first build or more experienced amplifier designers seeking to learn about the design principles and trade-offs of "glass audio." Safety considerations are always to the fore, and the practical side of this book is reinforced by numerous clear illustrations throughout. The only hands-on approach to building valve and tube amps--classic and modern--with a minimum of theory Design, construction, fault-finding, and testing are all illustrated by step-by-step examples, enabling readers to clearly understand the content and succeed in their own projects Includes a complete self-build amplifier project, putting into practice the key techniques introduced throughout the book

This unique manual explains how vacuum tubes (valves) work and how they are used in guitar amp circuits. Many examples of vintage & modern commercial amps serve as case studies to identify problems, fixes & improvements. With over 500+ photos and schematics, this practical book is a "must have" for guitar players, amplifier designers & builders!