|
Products
Piccolo
FryBaby
HagUsb
The Ripper
Castanet
Chime
Cornet2
Clarinet
Cymbal
Bugle
HagClock
iRIAA
VacuTrace
FryKleaner
UFO
Ordering
WebOrder
Warranty
Technical Support
WebForum
Design Theory
Archive
Product Reviews
Design Ideas
Technical Articles
Patents & Awards
Company
Contacts
|
"VacuTrace" Vacuum Tube Curve Tracer 30-day free trial - Order now!
Replaced by the "VacuTrace" from Hagerman Audio Labs!
|
VacuTrace is a vacuum tube tester curve tracer instrument for the analysis, characterization and
matching of vacuum tubes. It uses your existing analog oscilloscope as an X-Y display. Together,
they form a complete stand-alone test station. The upgraded chassis forms its own carrying case for
greater portability and protection when not in use. A second carrying case is included for adapter
cards and cables.
VacuTrace was created for engineers and technicians who develop, manufacture and test vacuum tubes
and circuits. It is designed to measure tube characteristics and present the information in the manner
you've come to expect - a set of operating curves. Matching tubes has never been easier or more accurate;
thanks to its novel A/B alternating sweep capability, which overlays the curves of two different
tubes (or sections within a dual type) for the ultimate comparison.
In addition to sweeping curves, measurements of voltage, current, transconductance gain and output
conductance (1/rp) can be read on the 3.5 digit LED display.
Operation is simple and intuitive. There are no software, menu or boot delays to contend with as
the circuitry is entirely analog and everything happens in real-time. Removable socket adapter cards
accomodate the most popular tube pinouts. Blank adapter cards are available for customization. A optional
"Jumper" adapter card is available for $249 that can wire up any 7, 8, or 9 pin tube.
The VacuTrace connects to any analog oscilloscope in X-Y mode. For a PC-based USB scope, which can
save outputs as .jpg or print screens, there is the Stingray,
which is the only scope of this type that has X-Y capability. And it's only $220. A good used Tek scope
can be bought on eBay for under $100.
VacuTrace has received a number of reviews in
the press. Actual customer testimonials.
Please allow 3 weeks for delivery.
|
VacuTrace
Example curves
Jumper card (optional)
|
Features
- Generates characteristic curves for diodes, triodes and pentodes in real-time
- Tests both small signal (12AX7, 6SN7) and power tubes (5Y3, KT88, 300B)
- Performs matching, even on dual tubes
- Sweeps to 400V plate, 200mA cathode, -70V grid and 40W power
- All analog design with digital readout of voltages, current, transconductance gain and output conductance
- Four socket adapter cards accommodate most popular tubes and pinouts
- Uses oscilloscope (not included) as display
- Overload protection on all outputs
Specifications
| Plate Voltage | 0V to 380V @ 200mA |
| Cathode Current | 0mA to 100mA (200mA in 2A mode) |
| Grid Step Sizes | 0.5V, 1V, 2V, 5V, 10V (8 steps) @ 5mA |
| Plate Power † | 20W peak (40W in 2A mode) |
| Screen Voltage | 100V to 300V @ 25mA |
| Transconductance | 0.1mA/V to 20.0mA/V |
| Output Conductance | 0.001mA/V to 2.000mA/V (1000k ohm to 0.5k ohm) |
| Basic Accuracy | 2% voltage & current, 5% conductances |
Output Signal Gains
(0V to 4V) | Plate/Screen: 10mV/V
Grid: 50mV/V
Cathode: 40mV/mA |
| Heater Supplies | 6.3V @ 5A
5V @ 3A |
| Socket Adapter Cards | Dual Triodes: 8 & 9 pin
Pentodes: 8 pin A & B
Power: Diodes & 300B
Blank: (wire up your own socket) |
| AC Input Voltage | 100V, 110V, 120V, 200V, 220V, 240V (Selectable) |
| AC Input Power | 50W |
| Size | 10" x 10" x 4" (25cm x 25cm x 10cm) |
| Weight | 15 lbs. (7 kg) |
† Hagerman Technology LLC not responsible for tube damage. See warranty.
Downloads
VacuTrace Manual (863k pdf)
Jumper Card Manual (458k pdf)
Customer Testimonials
- Interesting! I have a Tek 570 but this looks more convenient and has some nice features. It
is very well made and seems to work well.
- I just ran through the 100 12AX7's in record time since, once your gizmo is set up, it is a
very efficient replacement for the old Hickok 539C. Almost nothing to fiddle with. It's certainly
a pleasure dealing with you.
- I tried the VacuTrace yesterday. A real pleasure, it works great! The second tube I tested
was PERFECTLY matched - a 6BX7. The third - another 6BX7 - was pretty far off. I haven't
measured THD before/after, but my 6080 push-pull amp with balanced input and differential E88CC
driver stage sounded clearly better after using E88CCs and 6080s with closely matched sections.
I really like to work with the VacuTrace! I have been using the VacuTrace a lot this weekend -
I have lots of 5687 and tons of these Russian 6C45 triodes that I needed to match for my fully
differential preamp. The 6C45 were bought in matched pairs (mu and plate current). This made
life a little easier - I just took all tubes with the same mu and plate current and checked them
in sweep mode at the plate voltage I intend to use them. Amazing how much they differed despite
having the same amplification and current values! With the VacuTrace I was able to find some
pairs that in A/B mode look like one set of curves. Great! I checked some 30 JAN 5687 and
found 5 that had almost 100% identical curves for the two elements.
- It's possible that the VacuTrace will seem like a bargain in a few years.
- I got everything up and running today, the VacuTrace is a real pleasure.
- By the way, I want to compliment you on the quality of your kit. The PC board, in particular,
is beautifully done. I fool with a lot of military stuff at work (I'm an instrumentation engineer
at a nearby Air Force base where we do a lot of military jet engine testing) and this board looks
like the kind of quality I see there, even down to the bracing of the heavy vertical caps with
RTV silicone. Also, I wanted to let you know that the digital camera idea for getting the traces
from o-scope to computer works quite well. I can go into the graphic programs and add scales,
comments, etc. of course. Anyway, thanks for designing a neat little instrument. I've run some
EL-34's thru on A-B comparison, and it works quite well.
- I found the operation very easy to set up and work without a hitch.
- Now your instrument is working here in Italy also. It seems really easy to test and match
tubes. We are sure that it will help us quite a lot in our job.
- I am very pleased with the obvious quality of the unit, documentation, packaging, etc.
- I think you've done a great job, and the documentation looks first rate. A very nice piece
of workmanship.
- Your VacuTrace is helping us greatly in our job and I am very satisfied.
- I've gotta say that your VacuTrace cuts HOURS off selecting tubes and trouble shooting tricky vari-mu
foibles. I've cut the distortion by a factor of ten in my phono stage. The 'Trace also makes it easy to
check batches of tubes and match newly available devices to tubes that are made out of unobtainium. Thanks
for the great product!
- This is the 3rd 'Trace I've bought. They are at home, work, and in my new shop! Can't get enough of
them, they are so great. Thanks for the wonderful design.
|
