Somewhere on the forum someone mentioned that an ECL82/6BM8 is a much more robust tube than an ECL86.
I wonder why this “someone” felt that way. Has he/she checked the data sheets? 😀
Last edited:
The robustness of a tube type doesn't always depend on maximum anode dissipation alone (note: the maximum screen grid dissipation for the ECL86/PCL86 and the ECL82/PCL82 are practically the same).
The ECL82/PCL82 was designed for both audio and frame output (vertical deflection in TV's). The ECL86/PCL86 was designed for audio only (the characteristics of the L-section are very close to that of the EL41).
On vintage radio and television forums thermal runaway of the ECL86/PCL86 has often been described.
The ECL82/PCL82 was designed for both audio and frame output (vertical deflection in TV's). The ECL86/PCL86 was designed for audio only (the characteristics of the L-section are very close to that of the EL41).
On vintage radio and television forums thermal runaway of the ECL86/PCL86 has often been described.
ECL86 (PCL86) is weak for continuous operation in a TV , ECL85 in vertical has something like double cathode thickness and last much more . Not sure about ECL82
Of course in an amplifier this is not that important , just a fact .
Of course in an amplifier this is not that important , just a fact .
Last edited:
tubes in tv vertical can use in audio amp .vertical circuit is low frequencies and Linearity.ecl82 sound good .
My ecl86 (pentode wired as triode) amp with type 80 rectifier that I finished earlier this year. Sounds awesome. The tubes are Polam.
This is a wonderful tube that was designed at the very of end of tube design era (ca. 1963).
I don’t know that I’ll keep it forever but I really like it. It’s a perfect summertime amp as it dissipates very little heat in comparison to my EL84 or big bottle SET amps. Sounds almost as good as them.
I say go for it!

This is a wonderful tube that was designed at the very of end of tube design era (ca. 1963).
I don’t know that I’ll keep it forever but I really like it. It’s a perfect summertime amp as it dissipates very little heat in comparison to my EL84 or big bottle SET amps. Sounds almost as good as them.
I say go for it!

Hello,My ecl86 (pentode wired as triode) amp with type 80 rectifier that I finished earlier this year. Sounds awesome. The tubes are Polam.
This is a wonderful tube that was designed at the very of end of tube design era (ca. 1963).
I don’t know that I’ll keep it forever but I really like it. It’s a perfect summertime amp as it dissipates very little heat in comparison to my EL84 or big bottle SET amps. Sounds almost as good as them.
I say go for it!
View attachment 991575
would you mind sharing the details to build this amp please? and some more pictures of it's layout on the inside , maybe parts etc etc , I have this DIY ( see picture) thing which was scavanged from a radio/ amplifier and it works only ...look at it and look at yours 🙂

Never heard of 6EM7 or 6DN7 octal tubes?Ok so I will checkout some more tubes. I like the dissimilar triodes. Didn't know they existed.
6EM7 is like half 6SL7 combined with half 6BX7 in one envelope.
6DN7 is like half 6SN7 combined with half 6BL7 in one envelope.
- Home
- Amplifiers
- Tubes / Valves
- 6GW8/ECL86 based line amp