What is a 6N17B substitute or equivalent?

Direct equivalents to the 6N17B include Soviet submini 12AX7-class high-μ dual triode (no exact pin-compatible equivalent). 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 6N17B?

Amplification factor μ ≈ 75, transconductance gm ≈ 3.8 mA/V, plate resistance rp ≈ 19.7 kΩ, max plate voltage 250 V, max plate dissipation 0.9 W, heater 6.3 V / 0.4 A.

Is the 6N17B still in production?

Production status varies by year and manufacturer. The current Amperatubes catalog classifies the 6N17B 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 6N17B sound like?

Soviet subminiature high-μ dual triode (μ≈90), flying-lead 8-pin. Functional cousin of the 12AX7/ECC83 in service but in a tiny unsoldered envelope; popular for ultra-compact phono / preamp builds.. 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.

6N17B 6Н17Б Triode Vacuum Tube

Q: What is the 6N17B vacuum tube?

The 6N17B (6N17B / 6Н17Б) is a triode vacuum tube designed for preamp (high-μ) applications. Soviet subminiature high-μ dual triode (μ≈90), flying-lead 8-pin. Functional cousin of the 12AX7/ECC83 in service but in a tiny unsoldered envelope; popular for ultra-compact phono / preamp builds..

Also known as Soviet submini 12AX7-class high-μ dual triode (no exact pin-compatible equivalent)

Medium-gain triode for voltage amplification applications

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

Plate dissipation: 0.9W
Max plate voltage: 250V
Amplification factor: 75
Transconductance: 3.8mA/V
Plate resistance: 19.7kΩ

6N17B

Characteristics

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

HeaterIndirectly heated

Specifications of 6N17B — Heater
Heater voltageVh	6.3 V
Heater currentIh	0.4 A

Limiting valuesDatasheet maximum ratings — not to be exceeded

Specifications of 6N17B — Limiting values
Plate voltageVa max	250 V
Plate dissipationPa max	0.9 W
Cathode currentIk max	10 mA

Mechanical

Specifications of 6N17B — Mechanical
Base	9-pin Submini (flying leads)
Rarity	Common
Pinout

Small signalDatasheet parameters at the reference operating point — not limits

Specifications of 6N17B — Small signal
Transconductance	3.8 mA/V
Plate resistance	19.7 kΩ
Amplification factor	75

Capacitances

Specifications of 6N17B — Capacitances
Grid–cathode	2.9 pF
Grid–plate	1.6 pF
Plate–cathode	1.7 pF

Charactereditorial reading, not a measurement

Specifications of 6N17B — Character
Gain	75%
Power	2%
Drive	80%
Linearity	63%

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

Typical operation

Canonical operating pointModel

B+: 225 V
Load: 39 kΩ
Va: 135 V
Ia: 2.04 mA
Vg: -1 V
Pd: 0.28 W
Gain: 36.6 dB

At Q: Norman Koren
μ: 81.7
gm: 3.26 mA/V
rp: 25 kΩ

Design a stage →

Using this tube

Applications

Voltage amplifier
High-gain preamp
Phase splitter

Generic triode preamp (high-μ) stage

Hi-Fi stereoStudio/recording

Replace or compare

Sources

By Jean-Michel Falligan DevergneReviewed May 29, 2026Source : Russian 6Н17Б datasheetActive model : Norman Koren

Manufacturer datasheets

1 manufacturer datasheets cross-checked for 6N17B / 6Н17Б1 verified

6N17B DatasheetFrank's Electron Tube Pages · PDF

SPICE models

Revision and verification status

Source: Russian 6Н17Б datasheet
Reviewed: 2026-05-29
Status: DataModelCalc
Model: Norman Koren

Context

The 6N17B is a dual indirectly-heated triode from Russian, introduced around 1965. It provides a gain factor (μ) of 75 with 19.7kΩ plate resistance. Commonly used in preamp (high-μ) applications. Soviet subminiature high-μ dual triode (μ≈90), flying-lead 8-pin. Functional cousin of the 12AX7/ECC83 in service but in a tiny unsoldered envelope; popular for ultra-compact phono / preamp builds.

History

Introduced: 1965
Manufacturer: Russian
Era: Late Production

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