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Tube rolling 6922 tubes looking for transparency

I have a sunfire classic vacuum tube control center pre-amp that uses 3 stock sovtek 6922 tubes. I am looking to tube roll to a tube that is (reasonably priced) with a little more transparency and air! I tried tube valleys recommendation of Jan-Phillips low noise 6922 and it was more transparent and would have been perfect but apparently this is one of the pre-amps that has a microphics problem when using these tubes. Does anyone have experience with a (reasonably priced) 6922 that’s a little more transparent with a little more air than the stock sovteks!
darmike
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Second Tpsonic's suggestion. Siemens and Amperex both offer very transparent options. Telefunken does as well. Mullard is slightly more colored in the highs and upper mids.

Since each of us has different systems and preferences, personal experimentation will be required to find the specific brand and model that satisfies you.

Personally, for Amperex I prefer 6922 USA White Label over all other variants. For a "reasonably" priced Siemens tube that has much of the CCa qualities without the price premium, I'd consider either the ECC88 or E88CC.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Amperex 7308's are the best I have, very costly though. On a budget the new EH-6922's aren't bad....I have 4 of them in one of my preamps right now.

Dave
onemug
784 posts
 
I love 6922's and have tried many brands. I agree with Tvad and Tpsonic, the Amperex and Siemens are the best I've heard with Amperex being my favorite. You might get lucky and find a trio "reasonably priced" ones. If not, consider the big picture. If you have to pay more, they should last a long time and if you ever sell the Sunfire, you can put the Sovteks back in. I can only see the price of NOS Amperex going up so either keep them in case your next pre can use them or sell them.

Buy from someone reputable. "Sometimes the cheap comes out expensive." That happens alot.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
BTW, Sovtek 6922 are consistently the worst sounding 6922 I have heard regardless of the component. Anything will be an improvement, IMO.
rodman99999
3,557 posts
 
I've been using Siemens CCa's(from the late 50's-early 60's) for a number of years(six in my CDP, lately), because of their transparency, frequency extension, bass accuracy and sound stage abilities. The CCa was a specially selected 6922 family tube, chosen for low noise, long life, low microphonics/transparency for the German telephone, telex, and telegraph services(VERY picky). Many of the German telephone hubs used tube equipment and for telephone equipment you want a "noise/coloration-free" environment. Very much worth the effort to find, and every penny spent, for the sonic rewards that they present.
Telefunken, Lorenz, Valvo and Phillips all had selections for the "German and Dutch Post" also.
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