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06-09-2023, 09:14 PM
Hello Mr. Champ81
I believe the first two posts of this thread explain the differences between analog and digital oscilloscopes pretty well. With Analog, the signal is seen instantly and you can feed a live signal like music and see it as it plays. The digital DSO has a little delay before it shows you what is happening.
For testing a guitar amplifier, or any audio equipment , they are both the same when using a steady signal like that from a sinewave generator - which is mandatory on an analog test bench.
I am not familiar with Heathkit test equipment, but I hear Heathkit had a good reputation. Your concern with "antique" equipment would be as reported elsewhere in this forum, regarding the state of the solder connections, oxidisation of switch contacts, and that every electrolytic capacitor would need replacing. It's probably better to go with a new DSO.
Note that KOC reports you must have a 100x probe with a DSO to be able to look at high-voltages in a tube amp. The basic input range of the DSO is somewhere around 5V, in keeping with the technology inside the scope. DSOs come standard with 10x probes, which even that is inadequate were you interested in testing very high-power solid-state power amps with +/-100V rails or higher.
Fortunately, just as the DSOs are inexpensive, so too are the 100x probes. I believe a reference to Aliexpress was made regarding the probes and for the DSOs. Browse and take your time making a decision.
Sinewave generators are usually digital, these days, as well. They make very stable waves and the THD is adequate for testing a guitar amp. There are dedicated analog oscillators but these are usually more expensive and not much better THD-wise. I think you will find suitable sinewave generators for $60 or less.
Cheerio
I believe the first two posts of this thread explain the differences between analog and digital oscilloscopes pretty well. With Analog, the signal is seen instantly and you can feed a live signal like music and see it as it plays. The digital DSO has a little delay before it shows you what is happening.
For testing a guitar amplifier, or any audio equipment , they are both the same when using a steady signal like that from a sinewave generator - which is mandatory on an analog test bench.
I am not familiar with Heathkit test equipment, but I hear Heathkit had a good reputation. Your concern with "antique" equipment would be as reported elsewhere in this forum, regarding the state of the solder connections, oxidisation of switch contacts, and that every electrolytic capacitor would need replacing. It's probably better to go with a new DSO.
Note that KOC reports you must have a 100x probe with a DSO to be able to look at high-voltages in a tube amp. The basic input range of the DSO is somewhere around 5V, in keeping with the technology inside the scope. DSOs come standard with 10x probes, which even that is inadequate were you interested in testing very high-power solid-state power amps with +/-100V rails or higher.
Fortunately, just as the DSOs are inexpensive, so too are the 100x probes. I believe a reference to Aliexpress was made regarding the probes and for the DSOs. Browse and take your time making a decision.
Sinewave generators are usually digital, these days, as well. They make very stable waves and the THD is adequate for testing a guitar amp. There are dedicated analog oscillators but these are usually more expensive and not much better THD-wise. I think you will find suitable sinewave generators for $60 or less.
Cheerio
