My favorite 6DJ8 has always been the Amperex early to mid 1960s production. Still reasonably priced. If you can get the tubes guaranteed to be noise and microphonics free. The tubes may not be to blame in regards to your system's bright quality.
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Thanks to all of you for these wonderfully helpful responses. I am grateful for the good advice. @bojcak, glad to know that your experience with this unit has been so positive. Thanks again, everyone.
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I have have had very good results using Siemens ECC88 (6922) vintage tubes fro both my current CJ GAT preamp and my previous Sonic Frontiers SFL-2. The Siemens CCA is yet another level better, but are rare as hen's teeth and obscenely expensive, My second favorite is the vintage Philips Miniwatt 6922.
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If brightness is a problem and you want a bit of warmth you might try JJ 6922's. They don't get great press (JJ in general). They aren't NOS either, but they are inexpensive. I used them for some years in both a pre-amp and CDP with great success. FWIW, they aren't noisy either. Of all of the new production tubes they get my vote if 'brightness' is an issue.
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I find that AI can be good for a starting point with sound characteristics. It often can point in the right direction. I’d recommend trying your own searches. But here is the results of a quick one I performed.
The sonic characteristics of 6DJ8/6922/7308 tubes in preamplifiers are known for their warmth, lushness, and a natural, slightly rounded sound signature, often described as having a "sweet" and "silky" quality, particularly in the midrange and lower regions.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
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6DJ8/6922/7308:
These tubes are known for their ability to deliver a clear presentation of the entire frequency spectrum, with a focus on the upper mid-range and extended highs, sometimes referred to as "air" or "transparency".
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6DJ8/6922/7308:
They are often praised for their ability to reveal subtle details in the music, contributing to a more immersive and 3D soundstage.
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6DJ8/6922/7308:
Some tube brands, like Mullard, are known for their relaxed and extended sound, while others, like Telefunken, are praised for their tonal coherence and refined treble.
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6N1P:
This tube is a Russian equivalent of the 6922/6DJ8, and is known for its similar sonic characteristics, including a warm, slightly rounded sound.
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6AQ8/E88CC:
This tube is another name for the 6922/6DJ8, and shares the same sonic qualities.
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7308:
This tube is considered a higher-tier, more sought-after version of the 6922/6DJ8, known for its exceptional quality and sound.
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NOS (New Old Stock) Tubes:
Tubes from manufacturers like Telefunken, Siemens, Valvo, and others are known for their impressive "air" at the top end, a large soundstage, and a ruler-flat midrange.
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Amperex, Philips, Mazda:
These tubes are known for a clean, airy top end, nice midrange warmth, and accurate bass, offering a good balance of sonic qualities.
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Mullard, Genalex, Brimar:
These tubes are known for their sweet warmth in the midrange and lower regions, with a silky and pleasant top end.
This is too open a search. They often get better as you get more specific.
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