This is what you can do with a scope, that you are not doing now:
Verify bias
Verify output tubes
Verify output power
Verify clean sine wave output
ALL at the same time.
It will cut your bench time by 60%.
Then you can verify with a meter last. (if you want to)
You will see why Mike Soldano, Amp Mad Scientist, Dudley (lord rest his beautiful soul), all use a scope.
Because it's faster and works just as well as other methods.
Students:
Learning to use a scope will broaden your tool kit.
Increase efficiency, decrease time, increase productivity.
You should really stop whining and moaning.
New techniques, new skills, make us better at our jobs.
Instead of fighting it all the time, rejecting other people's ideas, you can learn something new from it.
Instead of being angry, lighten up.
Mate,,, do you even read posts before you respond to them.
Did you miss where I said a "each to their own. If one want to use the scope method they are free to"???
Did you miss where I said that I had tried the 'scope method of biasing (back in the 80's) when Mr Aspen Pittman was touting it, & mentioned the resultant incorrect bias of the two amps I tried it on.
As to the statements of what I could do with a 'scope, that I am not doing now.
Verify bias.
Once again, biasing with a 'scope/cross-over notch method gives absolutely no indication whatsoever of plate current, therefore cannot show whether or not the valves are biased to within safe operating parameters.
Biasing with a meter most definitely can give us an exact plate current figure & accurately verify whether or not the tubes are biased to within safe operating parameters.
Verify output tubes.
As is, this statement has no real meaning.
With a meter however, before even plugging the valves in we can verify whether or not the tubes have any inter-electrode shorts & can also verify whether or not the inter-electrode capacitances are within datsheet specs. Can't be done with a 'scope.
With the tubes plugged into the amp, with a meter we can (aside from voltages), verify plate current, cathode current, screen grid current, that cannot be done with a scope.
Verify output power.
A meter is all that is needed in determining output power in watts. A digital RMS reading meter for RMS wattage, a peak to peak reading meter for true wattage output.
Yes, this can be done with a 'scope too, but it's definitely not the only way to determine output power.
Verify clean sine wave output.
If an amp is sounding as it should, why would I need to, or want to 'scope the output waveform.
If the amp "isn't" sounding as it should, I may hook the amp to a dummy load & function generator & 'scope the various stages, but it will not be my "go to" diagnostic tool. I'll go through it with a meter first.
It will cut my bench time by 60%, then I can check with a meter if I want.
Biasing with the scope/cross-over notch method DID NOT cut bench time, it lengthened it. I afterwards had to bias both amps the conventional, way with a meter.
On Mike Soldano;
If we look to the Soldano (SLO) FAQ page, on the subject of "should I bias output tubes when replacing them" Mike gives us "most often, no. If using 5881 or 6L6 tubes it's usually not necessary.
Take from that statement what you will, but while on the subject of Mike, I know that most think that the Soldano amps were his design work, but look a little deeper folks. The design team was headed up by Mike's right hand man & head tech of 25 years, Bill Sundt. There's the man behind the most enduring Soldano amps.
Did Dudley Craven recommend the scope/cross-over notch method of output tube biasing? I've not seen where he does, but would appreciate if you can point me to where he does.
Students.
Seriously? RAOTFLMAO.
Yes, an oscilloscope & function generator is a valuable tool, no doubt about it, & I am definitely not against the use of one "when it is called for."
But TTR folks, go ask any tech, from any field of audio electronics (any worth their salt), what is their single most often used & useful peice of diagnostic equipment. Ten to one that by far the greatest percentage will tell you it's the humble multimeter.
Seriously guys, get a quality multimeter & learn to use properly & to its full capabilities first of all. There is just so so much you can do & diagnos with it.
As to the baseless & uncalled for rest of your post, I ain't foregoing forum etiquette to answer in kind. Cheers
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