Substitute for 6gw8 in Heathkit aa-32

oldheathkitphil · 22nd May 2007, 06:40 PM

Would anybody know if there is a substitute for the 6gw8 ?
I was given a Heathkit Stereo aa-32 amplifier which uses the 6gw8 in a push pull output.

I find some threads that say that the 6bm8 can be used if the socket is rewired, which I am capable of doing.

Would appreciate any help possible.

thank you

oldheathkitphil

Tom Bavis · 22nd May 2007, 06:59 PM

At $9.00 new / 4.50 used, I'd just buy a few... try findatube.com

Or add a 6V transformer in series with the heaters and get some 14GW8s...

They really should be matched though, especially if this amp uses one common cathode resistor like many lower-end amps...

kevinkr · 22nd May 2007, 11:09 PM

The 6GW8 is the same as the European ECL86 and is quite readily available. Cost is very variable depending on who made them.

gingertube · 22nd May 2007, 11:20 PM

Worth chasing up old stock tubes. The 6GW8 is a seriously lovely sounding tube. It is the best of all of those triode/pentode combinations, a lot better than 6BM8 in my opinion. Now - if only we can convince someone to start making them again.
I've put 12 off them into my stock to make sure my 6GW8 amps outlast me.
Cheers,
Ian

22nd May 2007, 06:40 PM	#1
oldheathkitphil diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2007	Substitute for 6gw8 in Heathkit aa-32 Would anybody know if there is a substitute for the 6gw8 ? I was given a Heathkit Stereo aa-32 amplifier which uses the 6gw8 in a push pull output. I find some threads that say that the 6bm8 can be used if the socket is rewired, which I am capable of doing. Would appreciate any help possible. thank you oldheathkitphil __________________ oldheathkitphil

22nd May 2007, 11:09 PM	#3
kevinkr diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Blog Entries: 6	The 6GW8 is the same as the European ECL86 and is quite readily available. Cost is very variable depending on who made them. __________________ www.kta-hifi.net

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22nd May 2007, 06:59 PM	#2
Tom Bavis diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Macedon NY	At $9.00 new / 4.50 used, I'd just buy a few... try findatube.com Or add a 6V transformer in series with the heaters and get some 14GW8s... They really should be matched though, especially if this amp uses one common cathode resistor like many lower-end amps...

22nd May 2007, 11:20 PM	#4
gingertube diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Adelaide South Oz	Worth chasing up old stock tubes. The 6GW8 is a seriously lovely sounding tube. It is the best of all of those triode/pentode combinations, a lot better than 6BM8 in my opinion. Now - if only we can convince someone to start making them again. I've put 12 off them into my stock to make sure my 6GW8 amps outlast me. Cheers, Ian

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