What is a 6N16B substitute or equivalent?

Direct equivalents to the 6N16B include Related to 6N17B family (Russian submini duals). These share the same pinout and operating envelope, so they can usually be swapped without circuit changes — though batch-to-batch variations between manufacturers (NOS vs current production) may shift the sonic character noticeably.

What are the key specifications of the 6N16B?

Amplification factor μ ≈ 25, transconductance gm ≈ 5 mA/V, plate resistance rp ≈ 5.0 kΩ, max plate voltage 200 V, max plate dissipation 0.9 W, heater 6.3 V / 0.4 A.

Is the 6N16B still in production?

Production status varies by year and manufacturer. The current Amperatubes catalog classifies the 6N16B as Common 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 6N16B sound like?

Soviet subminiature dual triode, flying-lead 8-pin construction (no socket — leads soldered directly). Used in ruggedized military and avionics gear; popular today for ultra-compact preamp builds where a noval socket won't fit.. 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.

6N16B 6Н16Б Triode Vacuum Tube

Q: What is the 6N16B vacuum tube?

The 6N16B (6N16B / 6Н16Б) is a triode vacuum tube designed for preamp / driver applications. Soviet subminiature dual triode, flying-lead 8-pin construction (no socket — leads soldered directly). Used in ruggedized military and avionics gear; popular today for ultra-compact preamp builds where a noval socket won't fit..

Also known as Related to 6N17B family (Russian submini duals)

Medium-gain triode for driver and line stage applications

Dual triodeHeater 6.3 V · 0.4 A9-pin Submini (flying leads)2 sectionsRussian 1965

Plate dissipation: 0.9W
Max plate voltage: 200V
Amplification factor: 25
Transconductance: 5mA/V
Plate resistance: 5kΩ

6N16B

Characteristics

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

HeaterIndirectly heated

Specifications of 6N16B — Heater
Heater voltageVh	6.3 V
Heater currentIh	0.4 A

Limiting valuesDatasheet maximum ratings — not to be exceeded

Specifications of 6N16B — Limiting values
Plate voltageVa max	200 V
Plate dissipationPa max	0.9 W

Mechanical

Specifications of 6N16B — Mechanical
Base	9-pin Submini (flying leads)
Rarity	Common
Pinout

Small signalDatasheet parameters at the reference operating point — not limits

Specifications of 6N16B — Small signal
Transconductance	5 mA/V
Plate resistance	5 kΩ
Amplification factor	25

Capacitances

Specifications of 6N16B — Capacitances
Grid–cathode	2.7 pF
Grid–plate	1.5 pF
Plate–cathode	1.65 pF

Charactereditorial reading, not a measurement

Specifications of 6N16B — Character
Gain	25%
Power	2%
Drive	95%
Linearity	88%

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

Typical operation

Canonical operating pointModel

B+: 175 V
Load: 10 kΩ
Va: 105 V
Ia: 4.81 mA
Vg: -3 V
Pd: 0.51 W
Gain: 24 dB

At Q: Norman Koren
μ: 23.9
gm: 4.38 mA/V
rp: 5.5 kΩ

Design a stage →

Using this tube

Applications

Voltage amplifier
Phase splitter

Generic triode preamp / driver stage

Hi-Fi stereo

Replace or compare

Sources

By Jean-Michel Falligan DevergneReviewed May 29, 2026Source : Russian 6Н16Б datasheet · Reddit /r/diytubes feedbackActive model : Norman Koren

Manufacturer datasheets

1 manufacturer datasheets cross-checked for 6N16B / 6Н16Б1 verified

6N16B DatasheetFrank's Electron Tube Pages · PDF

SPICE models

Revision and verification status

Source: Russian 6Н16Б datasheet · Reddit /r/diytubes feedback
Reviewed: 2026-05-29
Status: DataModelCalc
Model: Norman Koren

Context

The 6N16B is a dual indirectly-heated triode from Russian, introduced around 1965. It provides a gain factor (μ) of 25 with 5000Ω plate resistance. Commonly used in preamp / driver applications. Soviet subminiature dual triode, flying-lead 8-pin construction (no socket — leads soldered directly). Used in ruggedized military and avionics gear; popular today for ultra-compact preamp builds where a noval socket won't fit.

History

Introduced: 1965
Manufacturer: Russian
Era: Late Production

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