Beijing 6N4-J

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$21.93 to $28.01

5.0 (1)

1 Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Page last updated Jan 15, 2026

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We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated January 14, 2026.

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AliExpress

$28.01

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DHgate

$21.93

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Description

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The 6N4-J is a military grade tube (the "J" connotes JunDui, which is Chinese for "army"). They are 12AX7 equivalents and have same pin out as 12AX7. 6N4-J tubes are the highest grade Chinese tubes. Their production started in 1975 and ended some time between 1992 and 1995. They are identifiable by their triple mica spacers, a square waffle-like getter and the letter “J” etched on the top. The Shuguang 12AX7A and 12AX7B tubes are loosely based on these tubes.

Warning: The 6N4-J has a higher heater current draw than 12AX7. It operates at 6.3 volts, 330 mA for parallel, and 12.6 volts, 170 mA for series connection. So although it is perfectly pin compatible with 12AX7, it it may not be a drop-in 12AX7 replacement for your amp unless you amp was designed to accommodate for the additional current draw.

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tim_harrison

1268

about 5 years ago

Far better than the modern Shuguang 12AX7 tubes.

I use these tubes on both of my amps. If I need to describe them in three terms they will be, high gain, extremely low noise, long lasting. I have compared their noise levels next to TAD 7025 grade modern Chinese 12AX7 tubes and the difference in their noise levels is phenomenal. These tubes exhibit substantially less noise than the TAD 7025. If that isn't enough they also don't produce the harsh fizz exhibited by the current crop of 12AX7 tubes made by Shuguang. Another thing I have noticed about them is that they are far more robust than the current generation of Chinese 12AX7 tubes made by Shuguang. It seems that the Beijing military factory actually manufactured better quality tubes than Shuguang. The best thing about them is that despite all those advantages they cost cheaper than the tubes sold by TAD, and Groove Tubes. If you own a Crate BV150H or 300H, Mesa/Boogie Rectifier, or an amp like Invective that belongs to the 5150 family then quit wasting your money on the TAD, and Groove Tubes and get these instead.

felicia506

182

5 years ago about 5 years ago

I see that they're known by the name 6N4-J. So, are they real 12AX7 tubes or something else?

tim_harrison

1268

5 years ago about 5 years ago

The family of a specific tube has different members, those members are referred to as substitutes. Tube substitutes may not strictly adhere to the construction of the original tube they are derived from, but their wiring and pin out scheme is same as the original tube and thus they work as drop in replacements for the tubes they are based upon. 12AX7 substitutes like the 12DT7, 12DF7, 12AD7, 6N4-J are all derived from the 12AX7 and have the same pin out, but they are all slightly different from the standard 12XA7 tube.

6N4-J was basically a drop-in 12AX7 substitute made by the Chinese govt. for military usage, but there's a catch to their design. A true 12AX7 either operates at 6.3 volts, 300 mA, or 12.6 volts, 150 mA. The 6N4-J on the other hand has higher heater current draw, so it operates at either 6.3 volts, 330 mA, or 12.6 volts, 170 mA.

So, if you amp isn't designed to accommodate the additional heater current draw of 6N4-J then avoid using them in your amp. I face no problems because the circuit of all Crate BV series amps were designed around 6N4-J tubes. As for my Invective, it just uses a modified Peavey 5150 circuit, and the circuit of Peavey 5150 was designed around 6N4-J tubes. Same is true for Mesa/Boogie Rectifier series amps, their circuits were originally designed around 6N4-J preamp tubes.

felicia506

182

5 years ago about 5 years ago

That's an odd catch. I wanted to try them in my Fender Pro Tube Twin, but now I'm not sure.

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Far better than the modern Shuguang 12AX7 tubes.

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