What is the PCF86 vacuum tube?

The PCF86 is a pentode vacuum tube designed for preamp applications.

Is the PCF86 still in production?

Production status varies by year and manufacturer. The current Amperatubes catalog classifies the PCF86 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 PCF86 sound like?

Sonic character depends 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.

PCF86 Pentode Vacuum Tube

Triode + PentodeHeater 8 V · 0.3 A9-pin Noval2 sectionsPhilips 1958

Triode · Plate dissipation: 1.5W
Triode · Amplification factor: 17
Pentode · Plate dissipation: 2W
Pentode · Amplification factor: 70

PCF86

Characteristics

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

HeaterIndirectly heated

Specifications of PCF86 — Heater
Heater voltageVh	8 V
Heater currentIh	0.3 A

Mechanical

Specifications of PCF86 — Mechanical
Base	9-pin Noval
Rarity	Common
Pinout

TriodeTriode

Limiting valuesDatasheet maximum ratings — not to be exceeded

Specifications of PCF86-T — Triode — Limiting values
Plate voltageVa max	250 V
Screen voltageVg2 max	150 V
Plate dissipationPa max	1.5 W
Cathode currentIk max	15 mA
Grid resistorRg1 max	500 kΩ

Small signalDatasheet parameters at the reference operating point — not limits

Specifications of PCF86-T — Triode — Small signal
Transconductance	5.7 mA/V
Plate resistance	3 kΩ
Amplification factor	17

Capacitances

Specifications of PCF86-T — Triode — Capacitances
Grid–cathode	2.4 pF
Grid–plate	2 pF
Plate–cathode	1.1 pF

Charactereditorial reading, not a measurement

Specifications of PCF86-T — Triode — Character
Gain	17%
Power	4%
Drive	97%
Linearity	92%

PentodePentode

Limiting valuesDatasheet maximum ratings — not to be exceeded

Specifications of PCF86-P — Pentode — Limiting values
Plate voltageVa max	250 V
Screen voltageVg2 max	150 V
Plate dissipationPa max	2 W
Cathode currentIk max	15 mA
Grid resistorRg1 max	500 kΩ

Small signalDatasheet parameters at the reference operating point — not limits

Specifications of PCF86-P — Pentode — Small signal
Transconductance	12 mA/V
Plate resistance	350 kΩ
Amplification factor	70

Capacitances

Specifications of PCF86-P — Pentode — Capacitances
Input	5.9 pF
Grid–plate	0.012 pF
Output	3.5 pF

Charactereditorial reading, not a measurement

Specifications of PCF86-P — Pentode — Character
Gain	70%
Power	5%
Drive	0%
Linearity	65%

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

Typical operation

Canonical operating pointModel

B+: 225 V
Load: 6 kΩ
Va: 135 V
Ia: 8.58 mA
Vg: -6.7 V
Pd: 1.16 W
Gain: 23.4 dB

At Q: Norman Koren
μ: 13.5
gm: 3.16 mA/V
rp: 4.3 kΩ

Design a stage →

Using this tube

Applications

Phase splitter

Generic pentode preamp stage

Replace or compare

Sources

By Jean-Michel Falligan DevergneReviewed May 29, 2026Source : PCF86 datasheet (vintelec · r-type.org)

Manufacturer datasheets

Triode

3 manufacturer datasheets cross-checked for PCF86 — Triode3 verified

Triode-connectedPhilips1969 (sheets 1969.12 / fig. 1969.01)

Va: 100 V
Vg1: -3 V
Ia: 14 mA
gm: 5.7 mA/V
µ: 70

Pentode

3 manufacturer datasheets cross-checked for PCF86 — Pentode3 verified

Triode-connectedPhilipsDecember 1969 (sheets dated 1969.12 / 1969.01; FP cover 1999.07.31)

Va: 100 V
Vg1: -3 V
Ia: 14 mA
gm: 5.7 mA/V
µ: 1

PCF86 DatasheetLocal mirror · PDF

SPICE models

Revision and verification status

Source: PCF86 datasheet (vintelec · r-type.org)
Reviewed: 2026-05-29
Status: DataModelCalc
Model: SPICE model

Context

The PCF86-T is a indirectly-heated triode from Philips, introduced around 1958. It provides a gain factor (μ) of 17 with 2982Ω plate resistance. Commonly used in preamp applications. Series-heater triode. The PCF86-P is a indirectly-heated pentode from Philips, introduced around 1958. It provides a gain factor (μ) of 70 with 350.0kΩ plate resistance. Commonly used in preamp applications. Series-heater pentode.

History

Introduced: 1958
Manufacturer: Philips
Era: Golden Age

METRIX TESTER

Characteristics

HeaterIndirectly heated

Mechanical

TriodeTriode

Limiting valuesDatasheet maximum ratings — not to be exceeded

Small signalDatasheet parameters at the reference operating point — not limits

Capacitances

Charactereditorial reading, not a measurement?

PentodePentode

Limiting valuesDatasheet maximum ratings — not to be exceeded

Small signalDatasheet parameters at the reference operating point — not limits

Capacitances

Charactereditorial reading, not a measurement?

Typical operation

Using this tube

Applications

Replace or compare

Versus 12SJ7

Similar tubes

Sources

Manufacturer datasheets

SPICE models

Context

History

Test this tube on a Metrix

Charactereditorial reading, not a measurement

Charactereditorial reading, not a measurement