Stark 9-66 Tube Tester Opinions
- Thread starter Maicobmw
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Yes it is. Do a google search and I think you will find that Hickok might have made them for Stark. Or possibly Marconi Canada. The tonelizard site has some info on them (collector in Winnipeg IIRC)
http://www.tone-lizard.com/Stark.htm
"Now things get very confusing. It appears Stark decided not to manufacture their own tube testers anymore, and licensed the 'mutual conductance' circuit from Hickok. Another theory has it that certain tube testers were shipped as parts into Canada, and assembled. This would help eliminate import tariffs, as the tube tester is now manufactured in Canada! Regardless of the reasons, the bulk of the tube testers marketed by Stark now had clearly indicated on their panel that they were 'Under License of Hickok Electrical Instrument Company'. The circuit inside was the standard Hickok fare; an 80 yielded unfiltered DC for the plate voltage supply, while a 5Y3 gave unfiltered DC for the screen grid and bias voltages. The earliest Stark/Hickok tube tester was probably the Model 9-66, produced from approximately the late 1940's and all through the 1950's. An example is seen below.
The Stark 9-66 was a very mass-produced tube tester.
The Model 9-66 was produced for a very long time, and could have been housed in a case with one of three coverings; tweed (the oldest of the 9-66 testers), gray, or black. There was a 9-66A (either in gray or black), and these simply had a few extra sockets to test Compactrons, Duodecars and Nuvistors. The 9-66A may also have a secondary panel affixed to the top immediately above 'main' panel, and the add-on panel features sockets to help test even newer tube types. The main control panel has a familiar 'feel' to it; if you can operate a Hickok, you'll have no trouble with your Stark. The 9-66A is an exceptional tester; it can test nearly every tube type you'll ever encounter, and it has a 'noise test' sorely lacking on many other tube testers. This would be an ideal tester regardless of whether you were repairing antique radios or a variety of guitar amplifiers. Some 'experts' would have us believe the Stark 9-66 resembles the Hickok 750, while others argue the Stark 9-66 is based on the Hickok 533. I personally believe the Stark 9-66 looks a lot like both the Hickok 533 and the 750. Either way, the sockets have been moved into the upper left corner, adding to the mystery. Why not utilize the same panel, and have them silkscreened for whomever you decide will market the actual tester? You now have to stock a supply of each panel, and that simply adds to your inventory costs."
Ebay listings are also a good place to dig up more info on them.
I had my hands on one for a few weeks about 6 years ago. It was made for the Cdn Forces. At some point it was modified. The rectifier tubes were replaced with solid state and a military sticker was added stating that it no longer needed periodic calibration. It seemed to work correctly. It was well built and it operated exactly like some of the Hickok models.
Chappy
http://www.tone-lizard.com/Stark.htm
"Now things get very confusing. It appears Stark decided not to manufacture their own tube testers anymore, and licensed the 'mutual conductance' circuit from Hickok. Another theory has it that certain tube testers were shipped as parts into Canada, and assembled. This would help eliminate import tariffs, as the tube tester is now manufactured in Canada! Regardless of the reasons, the bulk of the tube testers marketed by Stark now had clearly indicated on their panel that they were 'Under License of Hickok Electrical Instrument Company'. The circuit inside was the standard Hickok fare; an 80 yielded unfiltered DC for the plate voltage supply, while a 5Y3 gave unfiltered DC for the screen grid and bias voltages. The earliest Stark/Hickok tube tester was probably the Model 9-66, produced from approximately the late 1940's and all through the 1950's. An example is seen below.
The Stark 9-66 was a very mass-produced tube tester.
The Model 9-66 was produced for a very long time, and could have been housed in a case with one of three coverings; tweed (the oldest of the 9-66 testers), gray, or black. There was a 9-66A (either in gray or black), and these simply had a few extra sockets to test Compactrons, Duodecars and Nuvistors. The 9-66A may also have a secondary panel affixed to the top immediately above 'main' panel, and the add-on panel features sockets to help test even newer tube types. The main control panel has a familiar 'feel' to it; if you can operate a Hickok, you'll have no trouble with your Stark. The 9-66A is an exceptional tester; it can test nearly every tube type you'll ever encounter, and it has a 'noise test' sorely lacking on many other tube testers. This would be an ideal tester regardless of whether you were repairing antique radios or a variety of guitar amplifiers. Some 'experts' would have us believe the Stark 9-66 resembles the Hickok 750, while others argue the Stark 9-66 is based on the Hickok 533. I personally believe the Stark 9-66 looks a lot like both the Hickok 533 and the 750. Either way, the sockets have been moved into the upper left corner, adding to the mystery. Why not utilize the same panel, and have them silkscreened for whomever you decide will market the actual tester? You now have to stock a supply of each panel, and that simply adds to your inventory costs."
Ebay listings are also a good place to dig up more info on them.
I had my hands on one for a few weeks about 6 years ago. It was made for the Cdn Forces. At some point it was modified. The rectifier tubes were replaced with solid state and a military sticker was added stating that it no longer needed periodic calibration. It seemed to work correctly. It was well built and it operated exactly like some of the Hickok models.
Chappy
Last edited:
Tom_r
Well-Known Member
I live a 10 minute drive from where the Stark plant was located in Ajax, Ontario but alas there is no sign of the building. Considering that most of the old industrial section of Ajax supplied the armed forces it would only make sense that Stark made test equipment for the armed forces during and after the war. About the only old company left from back then is Dowty Aerospace (now Messier Dowty). Also Camp 'X' was just a few minute drive east in Whitby. That was a WW2 spy training area and had such graduates as Ian Fleming -> author of the James Bond novels.
Now back to our regular programming.
Now back to our regular programming.
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KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Excellent tube tester this Stark model is, a Hickok made in Canada under license. A good choice for a tube tester.
radioactive
tube gear fanatic
i agree with ken its a great tester.i've owned mine for years and it hasnt let me down yet.
