Hello all!
I recently picked up a 317 ” portable ” scope and it’s working great. However I had to replace a 6DJ8 from my 503 to get it going.
Seeing as audio people have caused the price of those tubes to rise exponentially I was searching for some alternatives. It looks like a 6BQ7 would be a good choice as it was previously used in various 500 series scopes with tektronix sending out a bulletin that suggested replacing them with the newer at the time 6DJ8.
If anyone has any suggestions or experience please let me know. Thank you!
Marshall
Personally, I would stick with as built components in that case. Yes there may be substitutes or close enoughs, but there are differences. The scope would need a complete recalibration and very likely other small adjustments to compensate for that difference. They may be pricey, but luckily you only need one of them. It is really hard seeing scopes completely empty (most being expensive 6DJ8s and others). Anymore, I buy them just to keep them from that fate, plenty of parts on the other hand.
Radios + Tubes + Scopes + Cars= Nothing better!
I agree with keeping the 6DJ8, thank you for the response. I was given another 545, but someone had completely stripped every tube from it. Without having my own stock, it’s a lot of money to repopulate to see if it works. I’m on the fence, but I’m hesitant to cannibalize it for parts.
@dubcraftee84 I have an every growing collection of them. Within the coming month, I am adding a large amount of them. I also have a 545 that is in very rough shape. It must have been stored practically outside. Rusty, corroded, mice infested (chewed everything up), etc. It would need a ton of work to get running again so it just sits around. That is my only “parts” unit as of now, the others are in much better condition. Maybe down the road when I have months of free time I can tackle that one.
Radios + Tubes + Scopes + Cars= Nothing better!
Probably a bit late, but some alternatives to 6DJ8 that are pretty much the same:
6922
ECC88
E88CC
some similar ones but not quite the same electronically – they can use a higher heater voltage. At least in audio gear they are often usable in place of the above:
7DJ8
PCC88
P88CC
6922 and E88CC are in current manufacture and fairly available. Examples:
Electro-Harmonix 6922
JJ E88CC
Thank you much!