I always say start simple. dead cylinder absolutely could mean a dead miss, which could be spark related or electrical. Or loss of compression of course. If something is "broke" Inside the engine it is true you don't need a leak down tester, just hook up a shop hose through a compression tester lead and listen for where the air is hissing out. Either the exhaust, carb, or in the crank case. Doesn't get any simpler or cheaper. I also want to add, a burnt non sealing valve or valvetrain problems will be evident by popping and backfire out the carb or exhaust because the compression is leaking out when the explosion happens when the valves should be closed. Rings? usually pressurize the crankcase, oil blowing out the dipstick tube and what not, if popping through the carb I instinctively pull a valve cover and watch what the rockers are doing. An engine will/should have compression with a worn round cam lobe, but will run like a "dead cylinder". There is alot you can figure out without guages and testers. A basic knowledge of the four strokes of a four stroke engine and mechanical timing etc gets ya started. When you have developed a solid "hunch" then break out the guages and testers. You sometimes will know when the engine has to come apart with out testers.