Category Archives: Toys

Reviewing the Gemtune APPJ PA1501A 6AD10 Stereo Tube Amplifier

Posted on August 17, 2016 by jwk

I recently picked up an interesting little tube amp via a group buy on Massdrop, the Gemtune APPJ PA1501A stereo tube amplifier. Try saying that three times fast! It’s a cute little single-ended stereo tube amp using a pair of 6AD10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Audio, Commentary, Electronics, Hi-Fi, Stereo, Toys | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

New Test Equipment Day!

Posted on August 19, 2015 by jwk

I’ve added a new analysis system to my stereo bench…the Audio Precision System One. Amplifier measurements just got a whole lot more precise.

Posted in Commentary, Test Equipment, Tools, Toys | Leave a comment

New Toy: HP 130C Oscilloscope

Posted on September 29, 2014 by jwk

I’ve been looking for a nice balanced input oscilloscope to use as a bench audio scope for a bit, and I do enjoy some vintage test equipment…so I recently ended up with an HP 130C oscilloscope. This early ’60s tube … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, Test Equipment, Toys, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Steampunk USB Vacuum Tube Flash Drives

Posted on September 26, 2014 by jwk

I ran across these very cool steampunk-inspired USB flash drives drives built around a vacuum tube while looking for some tube shields. They look like they’re really well built and are a clever use of an old vacuum tube. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Computers, Electronics, Gadgets, Photos, Toys | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Toy: LogiMetrics 921A RF Signal Generator – Refurbished by KISS Electronics

Posted on September 17, 2014 by jwk

I just had an unexpected run-in with Murphy’s Law and found myself needing a modulated signal generator in short order. Bad news when my modulated signal generators decided to die right when I went to perform an alignment! My Leader Standard … Continue reading →

Posted in Collections, Test Equipment, Toys, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Toy: Keithley 2015 THD Multimeter

Posted on September 12, 2014 by jwk

I picked up a new piece of gear for the shop recently, the Keithley 2015 THD Multimeter. It was a fantastic deal – a refurbished and calibrated unit for about 10% of the MSRP. These have been manufactured for about … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Test Equipment, Toys | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Toy: HP 143 Wide-Screen Oscilloscope Mainframe Restoration – [Part 1]

Posted on August 14, 2014 by jwk

At the risk of becoming a test equipment collector, I am picking up a few pieces of vintage test equipment that need some work, but will be very useful pieces of shop gear as well as interesting pieces of history … Continue reading →

Posted in Collections, Electronics, Hardware, Projects, Test Equipment, Toys, Vintage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments