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Can someone educate me on the 807 tube?

kward

kward

AK Subscriber
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I can't seem to find much info here on AK when searching for the term 807. Snippets here and there relative to other topics, but nothing discussing the merits of the 807 itself that I could find.

So I'll start a new question...I believe the 807 is electrically equivalent to the 6L6? (Not sure about G or GC versions). Obviously it has a top plate cap instead of an octal pinout, that much I know from pictures.

What does this tube sound like? Does it have any reliability problems? I am thinking of building a hi-fi push pull amp around a quad of these. I don't need a lot of power, maybe 20 watts.

I see that there's even a new production Shuguang version of this tube available.

Is there anything to be worried about in building an amp around this tube?
 
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The 807 is a higher voltage version of the 6L6G. I believe it was first manufactured around 1937-38. The 807 was used in radio frequency transmitters and at times audio modulators for AM transmission. Both ham radio and WWII equipment made the 807 very popular for use up to 30mHz. It was a very popular tube for DIY ham radio transmitter/oscillator CW (morse code) service too. I prefer the RCA with the bottom filament shield.

These tubes make for a great audio amplifier and some like the 807 in single-ended amplifiers too.
 
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Its extremely close to the 6L6GC and will sub for one in circuits that call for those or KT66 tubes. The original Williamson amp actually called for an 807. They're pretty tough tubes too, and vintage ones go for reasonable prices.

The 1625 is also very similar, but uses a 12 volt heater. They're even cheaper most of the time.
 
okay, not sure how I missed that thread, but reading through it...enough said. :D I'll be looking into the 1625 also. Thanks.
 
I like the 807 tubes sound very much. Can be subbed in for 6L6 or 6L6GC as already mentioned. I've built a few 6L6 SE amps and right now I have the 807/5933 tubes in play, I just prefer the sound, but they are close. I run mine UL and can vouch that the data sheet for UL is VERY conservative. You can run these tubes up voltage wise, they are very rugged. The prices are good too. Do a little googling to find the best sounding versions. There's another 807 that's a little more under the radar - 5933 it's a ruggedized version of the 807, this is the tube I've been using lately. Just be aware of the base size on these are wider than most 807 6L6 types.

Cheers,
Bob
 
The 807 is a 6l6 pretty much with just top Anode cap instead of down next to a heater pin to prevent arcing with High voltages... and the W and the 5933 versions are the tougher versions how much though? I have no idea I would hope and imagine some of them could easily handle 400 on the screens though. I kinda want to get a pair and some adapters myself to find out xD
 
I built an amp in the early 60's using 1625's ( 12V 807 with a different base). it had adjustable Cathode bias, and a 6Sl7 Input/Phase inverter and a 6SN7 driver. I Built it on a surplus aircraft chassis at the Griffiss AFB electronics hobby shop. I wish I could find the schematic again, it was one sweet amp, Fantastic when I set the Bias to where the plates just started to glow! I used it like that for almost 3 years without a tube failure.
 
I'd stumbled across some 1625s and fully intended to build an amp. I probably still will someday.

But when this Inspire Sweet 807 opportunity came up, I just went for it and I'm glad it did.
Looks cool, sounds good. It compares favorably to that 300B SET setup I fixed for someone recently.
 
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