Frequently Asked Questions

Why another tube database? How is Tubeofile different?

Most tube reference sites focus on datasheets and raw specifications. Tubeofile is built for tube collectors and tube rollers — people who actively buy, test, compare, and swap tubes.

What sets it apart:

• Personal collection tracking — catalog your tubes with condition, date codes, purchase history, storage location, labels, and photos. Not just "I have a 12AX7" but "I have a Telefunken 12AX7 smooth plate from 1962, NOS, in box #3 on shelf A."
• Alternate designations — your tube says VT-229 on it but the specs are under 6SL7? Record the actual marking on your tube while linking to the correct canonical data. No more guessing which military or European designation maps to what.
• Side-by-side comparison — compare tubes across types with intelligent section matching. Comparing a triode with a pentode's triode-strapped mode? Tubeofile aligns the right parameters automatically.
• Socket compatibility — instantly see which tubes share the same socket and pinout, not just the same base type. Useful for tube rolling without rewiring.
• Community-driven data — request missing tubes, report data issues, and every correction gets tracked. The database improves with use.
• Tester readings — log your tube tester results against collection entries to track tube health over time.

If you just need a datasheet PDF, there are great sites for that. If you want to manage, compare, and understand your tube collection, that's what Tubeofile is for.

How does Tubeofile handle tubes with multiple names?

Many vacuum tubes were manufactured under different type numbers that are electrically identical. For example, the 6SL7 was also designated:

• VT-229 (US military)
• CV1985 (British military)
• ECC35 (European Mullard/Philips)

In Tubeofile, each tube has a canonical type number — the most widely recognized designation. This is the name used for the tube's specs page, pinout, and parameter data. In the example above, 6SL7 is the canonical type number.

How do I add a tube to my collection if it has a different type number?

If you have a tube labeled VT-229 but the database lists it under 6SL7, here's how to record it:

1. Go to Add to Collection and search for the canonical tube — in this case, 6SL7
2. Select 6SL7 from the results
3. In the form, fill in the "Type number on your tube" field with VT-229
4. The placeholder for this field will suggest known equivalents for that tube (e.g. "ECC35, VT-229, CV1985"), so you can confirm your designation is recognized

Your collection entry will display as:

VT-229 (6SL7)

The canonical type number in brackets is a link — click it to view the full specs, pinout, and parameters for the underlying tube.

Why not create a separate database entry for each designation?

Keeping a single canonical entry per tube avoids duplicating specs, pinouts, and parameter data across multiple names for the same tube. The custom type number on your collection entry accurately reflects what's printed on your physical tube, while still linking to the correct technical data.

What is the Wishlist?

The Wishlist is your personal list of tubes you'd like to acquire. On any tube's detail page, click ♡ Want to add it (or use the ··· menu). The heart turns pink to show it's on your list.

You can view all your wishlisted tubes from Wishlist in the navigation bar. Wishlisted tubes also show a small ♥ on their cards in the browse and home pages, so you can spot them at a glance while browsing.

The Wishlist is separate from your Collection — think of it as "tubes I'm looking for" vs "tubes I have." Once you acquire a wishlisted tube, add it to your Collection and remove it from your Wishlist.

What are Adapters and how do I use them?

Tube adapters are physical devices that let you plug one tube type into a socket designed for a different tube. For example, a "6SN7 → 12AU7" adapter lets you use an Octal 6SN7 in equipment designed for a Noval 12AU7.

To track your adapters:

1. Go to Adapters in the navigation bar (or My Adapters in the user menu)
2. Click Add Adapter and select the "from" tube (the tube you want to use) and the "to" tube (the socket in your equipment)
3. Optionally add the adapter manufacturer and notes (e.g. which amp it's for)

For each adapter, Tubeofile shows:

• Equivalents & Substitutes — tubes that are direct replacements for the "from" tube, split into ones you own and ones you don't. Near-equivalents are marked with "near" to indicate they may not be exact drop-ins.
• Socket-Compatible Tubes — other tubes that share the same socket as the "from" tube. These fit physically but may not be electrically compatible.

Important safety disclaimers:

• Equivalents marked "near" may have different operating parameters. Always check datasheets before substituting.
• Socket-compatible does NOT mean electrically compatible. Just because a tube physically fits the adapter does not mean it's safe to use. Incorrect voltage, current, or power ratings can damage your amplifier, your tubes, or both. Always verify electrical parameters match your circuit's requirements before using any socket-compatible tube.
• Adapters rewire pin connections. The adapter must correctly map all pins between the two socket types for your specific tube combination. Not all adapters support all tubes of a given socket type.
• Tubeofile provides this information for reference only. Always verify with manufacturer datasheets and your equipment's specifications before using any adapter.

How do I export and import my collection?

Exporting: Go to My Collection and click Export CSV. This downloads your entire collection as a CSV file you can open in any spreadsheet app or use as a backup.

Importing: Go to My Collection and click Import CSV. Upload a CSV file with a tube column (required) and any of the optional columns below. The format matches the export format, so you can export, edit in a spreadsheet, and re-import. Download a sample CSV file to see the expected format with example entries.

CSV columns and valid values:

Import behavior:

• If a tube with the same tube + marking combination already exists in your collection, the existing entry is updated (not duplicated)
• If the tube type number is not in the Tubeofile database, that row is skipped and a request is automatically raised to add the tube
• The importer also searches equivalents — so importing VT-229 will match to 6SL7 if it's listed as an equivalent

What if the tube I'm looking for isn't in the database at all?

Use the Tube+ button in the navigation bar (or the "Request a Tube" form on the Browse page) to submit a request. This creates a ticket for the tube to be added to the database.

How do I report a data issue?

If you spot incorrect specs, wrong pinout data, missing equivalents, or any other error on a tube's detail page:

1. Sign in to your account (the Report Issue button is only visible to signed-in users)
2. Open the tube's detail page
3. Click the "Report Issue" button in the top-right of the header section
4. Describe what's wrong — be specific (e.g. "Heater voltage listed as 6.3V but should be 12.6V for series connection")
5. Provide links to datasheets or documentation that show the correct data — this is important for verifying the fix
6. Submit the report

Your report creates a tracked issue in our data repository. The more detail and supporting references you provide, the faster the correction can be made.

Good reports include:

• The specific parameter or field that's wrong
• What the correct value should be
• A link to a datasheet, manufacturer spec sheet, or reliable reference that confirms the correct data

Examples of reportable issues:

• Incorrect parameter values (voltage, current, power ratings)
• Wrong or missing pin assignments
• Missing or incorrect equivalent tube designations
• Inaccurate tube type classification
• Errors in the description text

How does tube comparison work?

The Compare page lets you place up to 4 tubes side by side. Start typing a type number and select from the dropdown to add tubes.

What gets compared:

• Socket and pin assignment — shown at the top. Matching sockets are highlighted in green. Each pin is listed with its function, and differences between tubes are highlighted in amber so you can immediately see incompatible pinouts.
• Electrical specifications — all parameters from both tubes are aligned by their canonical parameter key. Values that differ between tubes are shown in bold white; matching values stay muted. Parameters that only one tube has show a dash for the other.
• Param group headers — specifications are grouped (Heater, Absolute Maximum, Typical Operating, Output, etc.) for easy scanning.

Cross-type comparison:

Tubeofile handles comparisons between different tube types intelligently:

• Pentode vs Beam Tetrode (e.g. EL34 vs 6L6) — treated as the same family. Their pentode/tetrode operating sections are aligned side by side under a unified "Pentode / Tetrode Parameters" header.
• Triode vs Pentode with triode-strapped mode (e.g. 2A3 vs EL34) — the triode's parameters are compared against the pentode's triode-connected operating data. A "Triode Parameters" section shows this alignment, and the pentode-only sections are hidden since they're not relevant to the comparison.
• Truly different types (e.g. Rectifier vs Pentode) — a warning banner lets you know the parameter values may not be directly comparable.

This makes it easy to evaluate tube rolling options — for instance, comparing a dedicated triode against a pentode you plan to run in triode mode.

How is tube data sourced?

Tube data in Tubeofile is gathered from multiple public reference sources:

• r-type.org — comprehensive valve encyclopedia with detailed specifications
• TDSL (Duncan Amps) — tube data sheet locator with parameter tables
• radiomuseum.org — radio museum database with tube documentation

For each tube, an AI-assisted process visits all three sources, cross-references their data, and assembles a structured record covering electrical specifications, pin assignments, equivalent types, and physical characteristics. The richest available source is used for data extraction, with datasheets taking priority when available.

All source URLs are recorded and displayed on each tube's detail page under "References" and as quick links at the top. This makes it easy to verify any data point against the original source.

Some pentodes include data for triode-connected operation (screen grid tied to anode). These operating mode parameters are sourced from manufacturer datasheets where available, as not all reference sites list triode-mode characteristics separately. When a pentode's datasheet includes triode-mode curves or ratings, they are captured as a separate section in the tube's specifications.

If you find data that doesn't match your datasheets or reference materials, use the Report Issue button on the tube's detail page to let us know.