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.

By Jean-Michel Falligan Devergne · Reviewed May 29, 2026

PCF86 Pentode Vacuum Tube

Triode + Pentode8 V · 0.3 A9-pin Noval2 sections

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

PCF86

In brief

TriodeTriode

μ: 17
gm: 5.7 mA/V
rp: 2.982 kΩ
Pa: 1.5 W

PentodePentode

μ: 70
gm: 12 mA/V
rp: 350 kΩ
Pa: 2 W

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.

Limits

Specifications of PCF86
Specification	Value	Source
Heater
Heater voltage	8 V	Datasheet
Heater current	0.3 A	Datasheet

Specifications of PCF86-T — Triode
Specification	Value	Source
LimitsDatasheet maximum ratings — not to be exceeded
Max Plate V	250 V	Datasheet
Pa max	1.5 W	Datasheet

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

Open the loadline calculator

APPLICATIONS

Phase splitter

Generic pentode preamp stage

Replace or compare

Sources

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

HISTORY

Introduced: 1958
Manufacturer: Philips
Era: Golden Age

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