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"Magic Eye" tubes are a type of tube common in older radio sets. Consisting of a fluorescent "target" area and a simple deflector electrode, these tube were used as tuning and VU indicators. As they literally operate at the speed of electricity through a wire, they still have application where a device that can indicate instantaneous changes is needed.

"Magic Eye" tubes are a type of tube common in older radio sets. Consisting of a fluorescent "target" area and a simple deflector electrode, these tube were used as tuning and VU indicators. As they literally operate at the speed of electricity through a wire, they still have application where a device that can indicate instantaneous changes is needed.

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[–] • 2 pts

I absolutely love this tech and was thinking of using one of these for the amp I'm building.

[–] • 0 pt

If you want a reasonably priced tube, the 6AL7GT is a fairly low cost tube that has three targets and was designed for AM/FM radio use. The classic round eyes are getting expensive.

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/vacuum-tube-6al7gt-indicator

[–] • 2 pts

I was looking at those and I may use one in my personal amp where cost isn't really an issue -and I would know exactly what it was measuring- but most guitarists don't have a need for a VU meter besides the COOL factor. That's only if I ever get this damn business off of the ground.

[–] • 2 pts

has anyone come across tubes like these?

https://youtu.be/w89d2Blhpvg?t=134

modern neon tubes don't seem to have that flicker effect or they only come in big sizes

[–] • 1 pt

Those are plasma tubes, like those plasma balls radio shack and other gift places used to sell. Probably going to be hard to find anything like that unless, like you said, it's in big, expensive sizes.

[–] • 1 pt

ta

I can find stuff like this https://www.ebay.com/itm/384425104171

nothing tiny though

[–] • 0 pt

Or this, but yeah. That RAM has a super-specialty item attached to it.

[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

Hey ive got one of these in my eico capacitor tester.