Matching transistors...worth buying a matcher?

[skiraly017]

After reading several post about tranny matching, is it worth buying a transistor matcher (there are several on the 'bay)? Can they provide accurate results? Are there features I should be looking for in a matcher (as far as what they should be able to measure)? Could I match JFETS on the same machine? Thanks for the help and info.

[Seljer]

my cheapo $8 multimeter has got the ability to measure HFE on regular transistors, just get a bunch and test them, writing down the gain for each one and take the closest pair you can find

with germanium transistors theres a whole different thing with the leakage and all that, so again, you have to refer to the geofex article on the fuzz faces

theres a circuit for matching JFETs on geofex.com (I'm pretty sure someone has done a layout in the gallery as well) , less then half a dozen parts in involved

[markm]

I have a layout for the JFET matcher in my Gallery.....perf or PCB, the choice is yours. 

[skiraly017]

I had found a couple of matchers that are capable of doing leakage, etc. and thought it my be worth it to have an "all-inclusive" device.

[brett]

Hi
there are readily-available devices with ultra-matched arrays on them (5? NPN or PNP, I think).
cheers

[zjokka]

I had found a couple of matchers that are capable of doing leakage, etc. and thought it my be worth it to have an "all-inclusive" device.

you mean the PEAK analyzer?
I have the older version of the transistor tester, which does not measure leakage as such but seems to give leakage free readings of GE's. Also diode and mosfet tester

but these toys are expensive I got the older version off ebay.
j