1961 Philips Miniwatt EF86 6267 La Radiotechnique France Mesh Tested Quiet

Listing details

1961 Philips Miniwatt EF86 / 6267 — Suresnes, France

This is an attractive early Philips-family EF86 / 6267 audio pentode, manufactured by La Radiotechnique at Suresnes, France.

The tube retains appealing Philips Miniwatt printing and features the distinctive early French construction sought by EF86 users and collectors:

Short perforated electrostatic mesh screen

Top halo-ring getter

Dark, reflective getter deposit

Nine-pin B9A noval base

Philips factory-etched production code

Intact glass envelope and exhaust tip

The perforated structure is commonly called a mesh plate in the vintage-tube marketplace, although it is technically the electrostatic screen.

Triplett 3444 test results

Transconductance: 1,700 µmhos

Plate current: 1.8 mA

Triplett reference range: 1,300–2,000 µmhos

Additional checks:

No shorts indicated

No abnormal leakage indicated

No noise detected during testing

No microphonics detected during testing

The tube produced a solid result comfortably within the stated Triplett 3444 reference range.

Results reflect measured performance at the time of testing.

Etched production code

The clearly visible code reads:

8Y5 / F1L2

Within the Philips production-code system:

8Y identifies the EF86 tube type

5 is a production-change or batch character

F identifies La Radiotechnique, Suresnes, France

1 identifies a production year ending in 1

L identifies December

2 identifies the second production week of the month

The code and construction identify this tube as December 1961 Suresnes production.

The surviving commercial printing appears to include a Holland country line. The factory-etched F code is the more specific manufacturing identifier and establishes French Suresnes production.

Audio applications

The EF86 was developed as a low-noise audio pentode for early stages of high-gain amplifiers, microphone preamplifiers and magnetic-tape equipment. It is also used in compatible hi-fi and instrument-amplifier circuits. Please verify that your equipment is designed for the EF86 / 6267 type.

Reported character of French Suresnes EF86 tubes

Sound is subjective and will vary with the circuit, system and listener.

Specialist listening descriptions of French La Radiotechnique EF86 tubes have mentioned:

Warmth and intimacy

Transparent and natural midrange

Spacious, structured presentation

Open and airy detail

Clear instrument separation

Deep, controlled bass

These are published listener impressions rather than guaranteed characteristics of this individual tube. This exact tube was evaluated electrically and checked for noise and microphonics.

Physical condition and presentation

The tube retains unusually attractive original printing for its age. Light pin patina and small vintage inspection or inventory markings remain visible and are shown clearly in the photographs.

You will receive the exact tube pictured, individually photographed and accurately identified.

Supplied in a new white replacement box and securely packed for shipment.

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