Can a 6V6 be substituted for an EL84? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

corvair · 13th Feb 2005, 9:26 pm

I have a couple of output transformers, ultralinear, intended for use with EL84.

I fancy making a pair of amplifiers using 6V6 again - and I wonder if the 6V6 would work in place of the EL84s?

I seem to recall someone, somwhere, a long time ago saying they had substituted one for the other, and they had no problems. Has anyone tried this?

David

Paul Stenning · 13th Feb 2005, 10:05 pm

According to the Mullard data, as a single-ended class-A amp, for the 6V6 Ra = 5k and Pout = 4.5w (at 250V), and for EL84 Ra = 4.5k to 5.2k, and Pout = 5.7w.

I don't know how these would relate to a class-AB amp, but it does suggest that the characteristics are rather similar.

corvair · 14th Feb 2005, 2:27 am

Thank-you, both!

In that case I'll press ahead and give it a whirl. I suspect the transformers were optimised for the EL84s, but the 6V6s certainly don't seem a long way out ...

And they are Octals.

The first amplifier I ever built used a pair of 6V6 in push-pull, with a 6SN7 and an E37A. It was for my youth club, and I remember dancing to the first record we played through it .... Francoise Hardy's "All over the world".

I was 13. Francoise Hardy still gives me goose bumps!

And that pair of 6V6s took a huge amount of stick for years and years.

David

I'll keep an eye on the biasing.

David

oldeurope · 14th Feb 2005, 8:30 am

You want something for your eyes, take the 6V6.
You want something for your ears, take the EL84.

Darius

13th Feb 2005, 9:26 pm	#1
corvair Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Burbage, Leicestershire, UK. Posts: 28	Can a 6V6 be substituted for an EL84? I have a couple of output transformers, ultralinear, intended for use with EL84. I fancy making a pair of amplifiers using 6V6 again - and I wonder if the 6V6 would work in place of the EL84s? I seem to recall someone, somwhere, a long time ago saying they had substituted one for the other, and they had no problems. Has anyone tried this? David

13th Feb 2005, 10:05 pm	#2
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 9,072	Re: Can a 6V6 be substituted for an EL84? According to the Mullard data, as a single-ended class-A amp, for the 6V6 Ra = 5k and Pout = 4.5w (at 250V), and for EL84 Ra = 4.5k to 5.2k, and Pout = 5.7w. I don't know how these would relate to a class-AB amp, but it does suggest that the characteristics are rather similar. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

14th Feb 2005, 2:27 am	#3
corvair Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Burbage, Leicestershire, UK. Posts: 28	Re: Can a 6V6 be substituted for an EL84? Thank-you, both! In that case I'll press ahead and give it a whirl. I suspect the transformers were optimised for the EL84s, but the 6V6s certainly don't seem a long way out ... And they are Octals. The first amplifier I ever built used a pair of 6V6 in push-pull, with a 6SN7 and an E37A. It was for my youth club, and I remember dancing to the first record we played through it .... Francoise Hardy's "All over the world". I was 13. Francoise Hardy still gives me goose bumps! And that pair of 6V6s took a huge amount of stick for years and years. David I'll keep an eye on the biasing. David

14th Feb 2005, 8:30 am	#4
oldeurope Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Solingen, Germany Posts: 727	Re: Can a 6V6 be substituted for an EL84? You want something for your eyes, take the 6V6. You want something for your ears, take the EL84. Darius