{"type_number":"6A6","canonical_url":"https://tubeofile.com/tubes/6A6","manufacturer":"RCA","tube_type_key":"small_signal_triode","tube_type_display_name":"Small Signal Triode","base_name":"UX7","description":"Twin triode power amplifier designed for Class B push-pull audio output service and as a Class A1 driver. Both triode sections share a common cathode. With the exception of heater ratings, its ratings and characteristics are identical to the 6N7, 6N7G, 6N7GT, and 53.","is_directly_heated":false,"completeness":"high","notes":["Common cathode — both triode sections share a single cathode pin. Individual cathode biasing per section is not possible.","Class A1 max plate dissipation is only 1.0 W per plate; Class B max plate dissipation is 5.5 W per plate. The tube is primarily intended for Class B push-pull service.","In Class B push-pull with both sections, 10W output at 4% THD into an 8000Ω plate-to-plate load at 300V plate voltage.","The 6N7/6N7G/6N7GT is the Octal-base replacement for the 6A6, with identical electrical characteristics but different base and heater current (0.8A for both).","Uses the medium 7-pin (UY) base, also called the 7B base. Not to be confused with the small 7-pin or Loctal bases.","Base pin diagram: 7B (medium 7-pin). Pin arrangement viewed from bottom."],"references":["https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/127/6/6A6.pdf","https://tdsl.duncanamps.com/show.php?des=6A6"],"source_urls":{"r_type":null,"tdsl":"https://tdsl.duncanamps.com/show.php?des=6A6","radiomuseum":"https://www.radiomuseum.org/tubes/tube_6a6.html"},"raw_equivalents":["53","B63","CV1867"],"equivalents":[],"similar":[{"type_number":"6N7","reason":"Same electricals (mu=35, ra=11300Ω, gm=3100) but Octal base — not pin-compatible with 7-pin 6A6","has_detail_page":true},{"type_number":"6N7GT","reason":"Same electricals but Octal base — not pin-compatible","has_detail_page":false},{"type_number":"ECC31","reason":"Similar twin triode but different mu (32 vs 35), higher heater current (0.95A vs 0.8A), and Octal base","has_detail_page":true}],"pins":[{"pin_number":"1","function":"Heater","function_code":"h","notes":null},{"pin_number":"2","function":"Plate 1","function_code":"a1","notes":null},{"pin_number":"3","function":"Grid 1","function_code":"g1_1","notes":null},{"pin_number":"4","function":"Cathode (common)","function_code":"k","notes":null},{"pin_number":"5","function":"Grid 2","function_code":"g1_2","notes":null},{"pin_number":"6","function":"Plate 2","function_code":"a2","notes":null},{"pin_number":"7","function":"Heater","function_code":"h","notes":null}],"specs":[{"key":"Vh","display_name":"Heater Voltage","value":"6.3","numeric_value":"6.3","unit":"V","param_group":"heater"},{"key":"Ah","display_name":"Heater Current","value":"0.8","numeric_value":"0.8","unit":"A","param_group":"heater"}],"sections":[{"section_number":1,"section_label":"Triode (each section, Class A1 — triodes connected in parallel)","tube_type_key":"small_signal_triode","specs":[{"key":"Va_max","display_name":"Anode Voltage (max)","value":"300","numeric_value":"300","unit":"V","param_group":"absolute_max"},{"key":"Pa_max","display_name":"Anode Dissipation (max)","value":"1.0","numeric_value":"1","unit":"W","param_group":"absolute_max"},{"key":"Ik_max","display_name":"Cathode Current (max)","value":"125","numeric_value":"125","unit":"mA","param_group":"absolute_max"},{"key":"Va","display_name":"Anode Voltage (typical)","value":"250","numeric_value":"250","unit":"V","param_group":"typical_operating"},{"key":"Vg","display_name":"Grid 1 Bias Voltage","value":"-5","numeric_value":"-5","unit":"V","param_group":"typical_operating"},{"key":"mAa","display_name":"Anode Current","value":"6","numeric_value":"6","unit":"mA","param_group":"typical_operating"},{"key":"ra","display_name":"Anode Resistance","value":"11300","numeric_value":"11300","unit":"Ω","param_group":"typical_operating"},{"key":"gm","display_name":"Transconductance","value":"3.1","numeric_value":"3.1","unit":"mA/V","param_group":"typical_operating"},{"key":"mu","display_name":"Amplification Factor (μ)","value":"35","numeric_value":"35","unit":"—","param_group":"typical_operating"},{"key":"Pout","display_name":"Output Power","value":"10","numeric_value":"10","unit":"W","param_group":"output"},{"key":"rl","display_name":"Load Impedance","value":"8000","numeric_value":"8000","unit":"Ω","param_group":"output"}]}],"synced_at":"2026-04-07T12:14:36.730Z"}