Radio Corporation of America 6GC5 Vacuum Tube

RCA's 6GC5 is a miniature nine-pin beam-power vacuum tube intended for single-ended, low-plate-voltage Class A operation. Housed in a glass envelope with a 9-pin Noval (B9A) base, it is designed for compact power-output applications in vintage television receivers and audio amplifiers. The tube is nominally rated for about 3.8 watts of plate dissipation, making it suitable for low- to moderate-power output stages that run at reduced plate voltages. Widely used in RCA-era gear, the 6GC5 serves in television output or driver positions and pairs with modest impedance loads where a small, high-gain beam-power tube is advantageous. As a historic nine-pin noval device, it shares pinout conventions with other RCA nine-pin tubes of the period, enabling cross-reference in compatible equipment. Common applications include TV audio output stages and compact audio amplifiers that require a small, low-plate-voltage power tube.