With the iX version- You will have the ability to try a wide variety of 6922's, while the SE will restrict you to Two choices, the 6H30 or 6H30pi. I've got a VK-D5 Cd player and have stuffed it with 6 NOS Siemens CCa's from the 60's. The accuracy/transparency/pure musicality is such that I can't even imagine "upgrading" it to the SE version(which has gotten mixed reviews). It would be in your best interest to audition a well burned in SE, in your system, before buying one. The iX model could be tube rolled to suite your preferences in sound reproduction, if the SE doesn't. The following site has notes on some of the tubes that are available in the 6922 family, and what you could expect from them soundwise:(https://www.tubeworld.com/6922.htm)