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need a oscilloscope

D

darrelb

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
i am wanting to try to repair my preamps, it seems the next step is obtaining a entry level o scope for
audio use.
i found the solid state o scopes on amazon, does anybody have any experiences with these?
does anybody have a recommendation on these things? i know the more you pay the more features
you get. i just need a scope for audio work.
 
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I'm very happy with a Hantek Os5102P, 100MHz digital oscilloscope. (No affiliation). Rigol and Owon are also well regarded brands. (No affiliation).

I'd check if a brand new digital oscilloscope fits your budget.
 
I've had reasonable success with the Siglent SDS1202X-E. It's fast enough to even do some, AM, CB, HAM, and FM band RF work, has a very convenient "auto-set" button (a.k.a., the "EASY" button), and has features that you might not need immediately but could be beneficial as time passes. It does have measurements, storage, and communications usually only found on higher-end 'scopes ($$$) and is fully-functional right out of the box. Some other brands require the used to download updates and reflash the ROM to enable the unit upon receipt. Unfortunately, that can also disable some features they don't want you to have. It's a little like MicroSoft's "leased" operating systems requiring automatic updates and holding the user hostage.

Of course, you can probably shop and find an older, used 'scope with similar features, and potentially for a bit lower expenditure, but there is also the potential risk of failures and limitations due to age. I recently picked up a spare TDS-380 with all those same features of the "modern" DSO units and double the bandwidth, for about half the price, albeit without the pretty colors on the display. I can live with that, too.
 
I found a used Tek 465B on Facebook Marketplace recently for $75. It is considered a classic analog scope. Channel 1 has some issues that I am trying to resolve. It also needs some switch cleaning. Channel 2 works great. Hoping to get channel 1 working again but worst case I can use channel 2 only. This is my first scope. I may upgrade in the future if I have a need for something better.
 
As stated by avionic, 20Mhz is more than enough for what you want to do. If budget is a factor, check your local second hand stores or online for a used scope. Get a 2 channel one, makes such as Tektronix, Philips, and leader are good makes.
 
Working with a Hantek DSO2D15 for a few weeks now and find it very easy to handle. Moreover it is silent because it does not
have a cooler fan inside. My other oscilloscope is a Rigol DS1202 and after a while, its fan noise becomes a little bit annoying.
But that is my personal opinion about the noise.
 
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