• WARNING: Tube/Valve amplifiers use potentially LETHAL HIGH VOLTAGES.
    Building, troubleshooting and testing of these amplifiers should only be
    performed by someone who is thoroughly familiar with
    the safety precautions around high voltages.

50C5 SE output transformer

Find another output transformer, or find another tube.
You will be happier.

Both the plate resistances, rp, and the transconductances, Gm . . . of the 50C5 and 6AQ5 are completely different.
And the recommended operating plate and screen voltages are different too.
 
The 50C5 is derived from the 6W6 and has the same characteristics except for the heater and plate dissipation ratings. Both have a 7.5 watt heater that has far greater emission than the 6AQ5. The 6AQ5 is based on the 6V6GT. Both have a 2.835 watt heater with far less emission capability, requiring a higher load impedance.

If the transformer came from an old radio, it likely fed a 3.2 ohm speaker. This can be determined by measuring the winding ratio. Using the same transformer with an 8 ohm speaker should reflect a 6250 ohm load on the tube which will "work" for a 6AQ5, as long as you don't expect much bass from it. This all depends on what you want to use it for. It might work for a small guitar amp, but it will fall short for a HiFi application.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Technical and pblix