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Tube Tinker — Electron Tube Database

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6AB8 alternatives, equivalents, and replacements

Review exact electrical variations and directional substitutions recorded for the 6AB8 voltage triode pentode. Compare core specifications and verify every restriction before using a replacement.

Exact variations of 6AB8

These designations belong to the same electrical variation group. Their names may differ because of international standards, manufacturing tolerances, or materials, but they are recorded as electrically equivalent—not merely substitutes.

  • ECL80

    Voltage Triode Pentode

    Base
    B9A
    Socket
    B9A
    Base pins
    9
    Sections
    2
    Heater voltage
    6.3 V
    Heater current
    0.3 A

Replacement tubes for 6AB8

The following tubes are recorded as possible replacements for 6AB8. This direction does not establish that 6AB8 can replace them.

ECL80

Voltage Triode Pentode

Foreign To American

The database records ECL80 as a possible replacement for6AB8.

No special restrictions are recorded for this substitution.

SpecificationOriginal tubeReplacement
Tube typeVoltage Triode PentodeVoltage Triode Pentode
ConstructionPentode-TriodePentode-Triode
BaseDATB9A
SocketB9AB9A
Base pins99
Sections22
Heater voltage6.3 V6.3 V
Heater current0.3 A0.3 A

Where 6AB8 can be used as the replacement

In these recorded relationships, 6AB8 is the replacement tube. The listed original tubes are not automatically suitable as replacements for 6AB8.

ECL80

Voltage Triode Pentode

American To Foreign

The database records 6AB8 as a possible replacement forECL80.

No special restrictions are recorded for this substitution.

Specification6AB8 replacementOriginal tube
Tube typeVoltage Triode PentodeVoltage Triode Pentode
ConstructionPentode-TriodePentode-Triode
BaseDATB9A
SocketB9AB9A
Base pins99
Sections22
Heater voltage6.3 V6.3 V
Heater current0.3 A0.3 A

Verify before substituting

Matching a base or heater voltage is not enough to prove that two tubes are interchangeable. Check pin connections, heater current, maximum ratings, bias requirements, warm-up behavior, and the equipment manufacturer’s service documentation before making a substitution.

View the complete 6AB8 specifications →