6SN7 is a dual triode vacuum tube, on an 8 pin octal base. Although the 6S-- series tubes are often metal cased, the 6SN7 is generally found only in a glass GT size envelope. The 6SN7 number may have been chosen because most of the 6S-7 series were single ended versions of tubes that had grid caps, and there already was a corresponding metal-cased dual triode called the 6N7.
Originally released in 1939 and registered in 1941 as the 6SN7GT, during World War II a 6SN7A (also called 6SN7W) version was made with closely-controlled characteristics for military use. The 6SN7GT was essentially two 6J5 triodes in the same envelope. Like the 6J5, the plate dissipation was 2.5 watts maximum.
Upgraded versions GTA (General Electric, 1950) and GTB (GE, 1954) versions were made later. The 6SN7GTA has anode dissipation uprated to 5.0 watts "design center rating". The 6SN7GTB is identical to the 6SN7GTA except for a controlled heater warmup time, for use in Television sets with 600ma series heater strings. At the time GE said that the GTB was a suitable replacement for all 6SN7GT and 6SN7GTA applications.
The 12 volt filament equivalent is the 12SN7GT or 12SN7GTA. (12.6V 300ma filament) There was also a comparativly rare 8SN7 (8.4V@450mA filament intended for 450ma series string TV sets)
Numerous other variations on the 6SN7 type have been offered over the years, including 7N7 (Sylvania 1940, loktal-base version), 5692 (RCA 1948, a super-premium version with guaranteed 10,000 hour lifetime), 12SX7 (RCA 1946, intended for use in 26-volt aircraft electronics), 1633 (RCA 1941, also for 26-v radios), 6042 (1951, another 1633 type), and 6180 (1952). American military designator for the 6SN7GA was VT-231, and the British called it CV1986 or CV1988. European designators include ECC32, 13D2 and B65. Each of the giant SAGE computer systems used hundreds of 5692s as flip-flops.
While often used as an audio amplifier in the 1940-1955 period, usually in the driver stages of power amps, the 6SN7 was also very popular in television vertical sweep applications. The designer of the famous Williamson amplifier, one of the first true high-fidelity designs, suggested use of the 6SN7 since it was similar to the British triodes that he used in his circuit. In most late-1950s applications it was replaced by the 12AU7, then by transistors in the 1960s.
6SN7s are still manufactured in Russia and China under the old Soviet designator 6N8S, and continue to be used in some modern tube high-fidelity equipment.
The 6CG7 is a miniature tube (RCA, 1951) that has very similar ratings. It was also made as a 8.4V 450ma series string type as the RCA Receiving Tube Manual, RC-14, Harrison NJ, 1940 RCA receiving Tube Manual, RC-29, harrison NJ, 1973
Sylvania Technical Manual 14th edition (reprint), 2000
Originally released in 1939 and registered in 1941 as the 6SN7GT, during World War II a 6SN7A (also called 6SN7W) version was made with closely-controlled characteristics for military use. The 6SN7GT was essentially two 6J5 triodes in the same envelope. Like the 6J5, the plate dissipation was 2.5 watts maximum.
Upgraded versions GTA (General Electric, 1950) and GTB (GE, 1954) versions were made later. The 6SN7GTA has anode dissipation uprated to 5.0 watts "design center rating". The 6SN7GTB is identical to the 6SN7GTA except for a controlled heater warmup time, for use in Television sets with 600ma series heater strings. At the time GE said that the GTB was a suitable replacement for all 6SN7GT and 6SN7GTA applications.
The 12 volt filament equivalent is the 12SN7GT or 12SN7GTA. (12.6V 300ma filament) There was also a comparativly rare 8SN7 (8.4V@450mA filament intended for 450ma series string TV sets)
Numerous other variations on the 6SN7 type have been offered over the years, including 7N7 (Sylvania 1940, loktal-base version), 5692 (RCA 1948, a super-premium version with guaranteed 10,000 hour lifetime), 12SX7 (RCA 1946, intended for use in 26-volt aircraft electronics), 1633 (RCA 1941, also for 26-v radios), 6042 (1951, another 1633 type), and 6180 (1952). American military designator for the 6SN7GA was VT-231, and the British called it CV1986 or CV1988. European designators include ECC32, 13D2 and B65. Each of the giant SAGE computer systems used hundreds of 5692s as flip-flops.
While often used as an audio amplifier in the 1940-1955 period, usually in the driver stages of power amps, the 6SN7 was also very popular in television vertical sweep applications. The designer of the famous Williamson amplifier, one of the first true high-fidelity designs, suggested use of the 6SN7 since it was similar to the British triodes that he used in his circuit. In most late-1950s applications it was replaced by the 12AU7, then by transistors in the 1960s.
6SN7s are still manufactured in Russia and China under the old Soviet designator 6N8S, and continue to be used in some modern tube high-fidelity equipment.
The 6CG7 is a miniature tube (RCA, 1951) that has very similar ratings. It was also made as a 8.4V 450ma series string type as the RCA Receiving Tube Manual, RC-14, Harrison NJ, 1940 RCA receiving Tube Manual, RC-29, harrison NJ, 1973
Sylvania Technical Manual 14th edition (reprint), 2000
