What is the 12B-EmissionLabs vacuum tube?

The 12B-EmissionLabs (12B EML) is a triode vacuum tube designed for power (set) applications. EML DHT triode..

What are the key specifications of the 12B-EmissionLabs?

Amplification factor μ ≈ 12, transconductance gm ≈ 3.5 mA/V, plate resistance rp ≈ 3.4 kΩ, max plate voltage 600 V, max plate dissipation 25 W, heater 5 V / 2.5 A.

Is the 12B-EmissionLabs still in production?

Production status varies by year and manufacturer. The current Amperatubes catalog classifies the 12B-EmissionLabs as Sought-after availability. NOS (new-old-stock) examples from RCA, Mullard, Tung-Sol, GE, Sylvania and Telefunken trade among collectors; modern production where it exists comes mostly from JJ Electronic, Electro-Harmonix, Tung-Sol (New Sensor), Genalex, and a handful of small-batch makers.

What does the 12B-EmissionLabs sound like?

EML DHT triode.. Sonic character also depends heavily on the circuit operating point, the surrounding tubes in the stage, and the output transformer when present — use the interactive loadline calculator on this page to explore the trade-offs.

12B-EmissionLabs 12B EML Triode Vacuum Tube

Power triode delivering 25W for push-pull and SET designs

TriodeHeater 5 V · 2.5 AUX-4Emission Labs 2008

Plate dissipation: 25W
Max plate voltage: 600V
Transconductance: 3.5mA/V

12B-EmissionLabs

Characteristics

Datasheet values, once each. Every value cites its sheet.

HeaterDirectly heated

Specifications of 12B-EmissionLabs — Heater
Heater voltageVh	5 V
Heater currentIh	2.5 A

Limiting valuesDatasheet maximum ratings — not to be exceeded

Specifications of 12B-EmissionLabs — Limiting values
Plate voltageVa max	600 V
Plate dissipationPa max	25 W

Mechanical

Specifications of 12B-EmissionLabs — Mechanical
Base	UX-4
Rarity	Sought-after
Pinout

Small signalDatasheet parameters at the reference operating point — not limits

Specifications of 12B-EmissionLabs — Small signal
Transconductance	3.5 mA/V
Plate resistance	3.4 kΩ
Amplification factor	12

Capacitances

Specifications of 12B-EmissionLabs — Capacitances
Grid–cathode	8 pF
Grid–plate	14 pF
Plate–cathode	6 pF

Charactereditorial reading, not a measurement

Specifications of 12B-EmissionLabs — Character
Gain	12%
Power	63%
Drive	97%
Linearity	94%

datasheet cited · model or editorial reading · catalogue value, no citation attached yet · nothing invented

Using this tube

Applications

SET output
Push-pull output

Generic triode power (set) stage

Hi-Fi stereo

Replace or compare

Sources

By Jean-Michel Falligan DevergneReviewed May 10, 2026Source : Emission Labs design notes (EML-12B-20A-20B-30A) · external audit feedbackActive model : Norman Koren

Manufacturer datasheets

12B-EmissionLabs DatasheetFrank's Electron Tube Pages · PDF

SPICE models

Revision and verification status

Source: Emission Labs design notes (EML-12B-20A-20B-30A) · external audit feedback
Reviewed: 2026-05-10
Status: DataModelCalc
Model: Norman Koren

Context

The 12B-EmissionLabs is a directly-heated triode from Emission Labs, introduced around 2008. It provides a gain factor (μ) of 12 with 3400Ω plate resistance. Commonly used in power (set) applications. EML DHT triode.

History

Introduced: 2008
Manufacturer: Emission Labs
Era: Modern

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