Hickok 532 versus Seco 107

[sopranojam85]

I have a Seco 107 that I recently rebuilt, and it works reasonably well. However, it has some quirks that I'm still trying to figure out.

I came across a listing for a Hickok 532. It's in stock shape, needs work no doubt. Is the Hickok 532 going to be a better fit for testing DMC than the Seco?

The Seco says it tests DMC. I've heard that it's not so great for matching power tubes, though.

The Seco has a load pot that ranges from 0 to 100. I'm not yet 100% sure what this does. I thought that it applied a voltage to the plates, but the schematic is so difficult to read, I can't tell what it's actually doing.

Thoughts are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[analog addict]

Hihckok's are generally considered one of the gold standard tester brands. The 532 is an older machine that may not test all the newer tubes. And yes it will need a restore/refresh. I have a 533. It's been calibrated and restored, and I have a calibration/test tube that I use to insure accuracy. I also have a CA-4 adapter that can test newer tubes including Compactrons. Best of both worlds...

 

[Tom Bavis]

The SECO 107 does NOT test power tubes for mutual conductance - only emission. Small signal tubes are tested for DMC. I have found that mine correlates nicely with a Triplett 3444 on 12AX7s, less so on 12AU7s and 6CG7s.