2. amps-preamps
  3. 165748-2137

Gold or Platinum Grade of Tubes for BAT Preamp.

Hi, all. I am awaiting delivery of my BAT VK-33. I’m going to replace the 6 stock EH 6922s with the NOS Rocket Logo 6H23-EB, which is a direct replacement for the 6922. My tube vendor has gold grade or platinum grade (which is about $15 more per tube than the gold grade). Tolerances for matched gold grade are 15-20%, while the platinum tolerances are 10% or less. Given that these are small signal tubes, is the tighter tolerance of the platinium grade worth the $$? Is the BAT hard on tubes, thereby requiring the more expensive ones? Thanks for your help.
rlb61

Showing 8 responses by rlb61

rlb61 OP
742 posts
 
@petg60 ... Victor from BAT told me that the 6H30 is a direct replacement for the 6922.
rlb61 OP
742 posts
 
@noromance ... that makes sense to me. Thanks for the advice.
rlb61 OP
742 posts
 
@petg60 ... the 6H30 will not work in the VK-33 as it is a 6922 based preamp. It will work in the SE version, which I didn't purchase, because I wanted the option to tube roll and am not a fan of the 6H30. Nonetheless, I have a wide variety of tubes with which to play.
rlb61 OP
742 posts
 
@noromance ... The $$ isn’t the issue. I just want to know whether the claimed difference in tolerance will be audible from a small signal tube. If it will, then I’ll gladly pay the extra.
rlb61 OP
742 posts
 
@stereo5 ... the VK-33 appears to be the last of the current BAT preamps to use the 6922. The "SE" version uses the 6H30, and I think all other BAT preamps now are using the 6H30. The VK-33 has been discontinued recently, so I got a decent, discounted deal on a BNIB model and have the ability to tube roll.
rlb61 OP
742 posts
 
@petg60 ... my mistake ... I meant to say that the 6H23-EB is a direct replacement for the 6922. 
rlb61 OP
742 posts
 
@ebm ... I did. I bought the platinum grade.
rlb61 OP
742 posts
 
@rushfan71 ... actually it was about $100, and all I wanted to know was whether the tighter tolerances were worth the extra scratch from an audible perspective. I’ve got plenty tied up in cables because I can hear the difference ... I don’t know whether that will hold true with tube tolerances. Nonetheless, I spent the extra dough. I find it fascinating that people in this hobby will spend money blindly on equipment without bothering to understand what, if any, sonic benefit they will derive.
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