I've been looking into buying an Audio Generator (Sine and Square Wave). I mainly want this to run thru an amplifier to listen to the frequency repsonse of the amp and speakers. Nothing very scientific, just to see what these amps and speakers can do.... And on occasion to inject an audio signal into amp sections to dee if the audio is passing that stage.
Originally I was looking at some of the old tube gear, such as the Eico model 377. I also looked at the Heathkit IG-18 a transistorized version from the 70s. Because I like that old test gear, I'd be happy to get either of these, or another similar. Both of these are Sine and Suqare Wave. But what I am finding is the prices combined with high S+H fees, make these things very costly, and I have not found any of them which claim to work. Sold as-is, for parts or repair. So, I may end up paying $60 or more and getting something that dont work, likely needs new caps, and so on..... If they were $25 or less, I'd take a chance, but not for that kind of money.
My search on ebay lead me to something called a "Function Generator". What the heck is that??? And also called a DDS device. (I have no clue what DDS means). But I carefully looked at this NEW device, sold without a box (case), but only needs a power module and test leads. They sell for around $14 from China, but since I dont care to order from China, I'll probably have to hunt one down from the US, and pay around $5 or $10 more. But that's ok. These have both the Sine and Square wave, as well as Triangle wave (what does that sound like?).
While I prefer the older stuff, for around $20 a cheap wal-wart, and a little work putting it into a box, I'd probably buy one of these, *IF* it will do what I need..... I have read all the info on the ebay pages, but I am not 100% sure that this is a modern replacement for the old audio generators. One nice thing, is that they will show the exact frequency on the digital readout.
IS THIS WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR? Is something like this made to really be used, or is it just another toy that does little and fails in a few months?
And can something like this work to test tube amps, without blowing up from the high voltages in tube gear?
One last thing that has me puzzled. There are two BNC connectors. One is labeled DDS, tho other is HS.
I found this in the description. DDS frequency range: 1Hz-65534Hz, high-speed frequency (HS) output up to
8MHz.I dont understand how or what the high speed feature does. Why would an audio frequency be or need "high speed"? And what is the point for this device to go above 20,000 cps, since we cant hear that anyhow? Going up to 8MHZ seens senseless, unless this also serves as a RF signal generator.
Here is the ebay URL.