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RE: EL84 Type Question

Posted by opalize (A) on August 24, 2023 at 09:51:07

In Reply to: EL84 Type Question posted by Joe Backer on August 23, 2023 at 12:16:51:

Check for etched codes on the lower edge of the glass (see link for more)

The "type" code tops the two code lines, and denotes the tube design (EL84). With "D"-getter wire, I'm sure you'll find an "rX" code (rX2, rX3).

The first code on the second line denotes the factory. Yours are likely to be the Philips Sittard, NL factory, with an "X" code as the first character. The next character would be a number from 6-9, for 1956-1959, and the final character on the second line denotes the month of production (A= January, B=February, etc.)

If the factory code is "A" then they're from the Philips factory in Vienna Austria.

Both Sittard and Vienna Philips EL84 are incredibly articulate EL84 - my favorite for clarity. Later ('60s) production Philips EL84 (type codes "kM_" are not as articulate - this includes fabled Heerlen, NL "Amperex" or "Miniwatt" and Blackburn UK Mullard EL84.

"Better" or "worse" is a matter of opinion. Personally, I strongly prefer the earlier D-getter "rX_" type EL84.

• Philips Etched Codes   (Open in New Window)

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