On 25 Sep 2003 15:54:17 -0400, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

Doug Shields wrote:
I just purchased a Heathkit high voltage regulated supply on Ebay.
The description stated "It has been tested to power up and nothing
more." When I received the supply I found that 3 of the 6 tubes (2 x
6L6GC and 1 6BH6) in the supply were missing. I thought that "powers
up" means that at least the filaments light up on any form of tube
equipment. Am I wrong? The seller plugged it in and apparently the
pilot light came on which to him means that it powers up. The seller
refuses to listen to anything and has told me "We consider this a
closed issue, no more correspondence." Is it me? Thanks. BTW, does
anyone have two good 6L6GC tubes at a reasonable price?

By Ebay standards, this is LIKE NEW-- EXCELLENT CONDITION because it has
never been on fire or filled with mud.

There are a bunch of 6L6 variants in current production. The Russian

There are two major glass variants of the 6L6, plus the metal one.
One of the glass, has twice the plate dissipation of the other and it
basically twice the size. They are about the same size as a 6550.

Retail price on the big ones, new (they are used in a lot of guitar
amps) is EXPENSIVE. I've not seen any of the Russian equivalents.

5881WXGT tube is available from Antique Electronics Supply for seven or
eight bucks. It has a taller envelope than the standard 6L6, and is

There are the two *standard* 6L6s. Retail on the larger one at music
stores is nigh onto 30 bucks.

basically a 7027 without the pin jumper. It far exceeeds 6L6 specs and

Again, which 6L6 specs?
I used to run 90 watts out on 75 and 40 with a pair of the larger
ones. My guitar amp runs 290 watts plus with 6 of them and they don't
last forever. :-))

Roger Halstead (K8RI EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
www.rogerhalstead.com
N833R World's oldest Debonair? (S# CD-2)

will last nearly forever in a circuit designed for the 6L6.

If that's too much money you can get a Russian 6L6 design for around five
bucks that is about as good as the GE originals but no better.
--scott