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Tube Substitution Table

geode

geode

F4 Phantom Seat Jockey
Subscriber
I'm sure this is common knowledge to many of the tube guys here. Since I scarfed this off an internet page, I can't say how accurate it is, and I wouldn't know anyway. Please, point out any inaccuracies you see, certainly don't want to lead anybody astray. But, it might be helpful to us tube noobs.

Tube Substitution Table

12AX7: 12AX7WA, 12AD7, 5751, 6057, 6681, 7025, ECC83, ECC803...

12AU7: 12AU7WA, 5814, 6067, 6189, 6680, 7318, 7730, ECC82, ECC802, ECC186...

6DJ8: 6922, E80CC, E88CC...

12AT7: 12AT7WA, 6060, 6201, 6679, 7316, 7728, 7730, ECC81,ECC85, 6AQ8...

6CA7: 6L6GC, 5881, 7581, EL34, KT66...

6BQ5: EL84, 7189...

6550: KT88, 7027...

6SL7: 5691, 5755, 6188, ECC35...

6SN7: 6BL7, 6BX7, 5692, 6180...

6CA4: 6V4, EZ81, EZ80...

5U4: 5AS4, 5AU4, 5R4WGB, 5931...

5AR4: 5AW4, 5AQ4, GZ34..
 
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I know that the tubes in the 6CA7...line are not all interchangeable in all circuits.
Not sure about the 7027.. I think it is closer to the 6L6GC,it subs in my Mc240
 
Thanks guys for cleaning it up and adding more info. It will be very helpful to us that are just learning about tube gear.
 
A 5AR4 has a 2 amp filament draw , and a 5AW4 draws almost 4 amps and is not a good replacement and has a directly heated cathode .

http://tubedata.tubes.se/sheets/049/5/5AW4.pdf
http://tubedata.tubes.se/sheets/093/5/5AR4.pdf

A 7308 is a sub for a 6DJ8

http://tubedata.tubes.se/sheets/009/e/E188CC.pdf

A 7027 is not advised for a sub for a 6550 , it is not near as rugged and has pins costs connected internally that can interfere with operations in some amps
http://tubedata.tubes.se/sheets/049/7/7027.pdf

A 5AQ4 is a GZ-32 and would work some places , but wouldn't use it in a dyna st-70 in place of the 5AR4
 
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Some questionable ones and some missing potential subs on every list I've seen. But gives you place to start - data sheets are only a few clicks away if you have this site bookmarked: http://tubedata.info/
 
It depends on the circuit if a proposed sub will work at all, or good enough. In a signal level circuit, a poor choice (say a 12AX7 in place of a 12AU7) will probably distort, but not likely burn up anything. A poor choice on a power tube could damage something. How do you know? Takes experience and knowledge of electronics. Okay, well try asking the experts in this forum, and if you get a string of gasps....
 
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