Tube rolling 6922 tubes looking for transparency

Siemens and Amperex.

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

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.

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.

I second the EH 6922. They are much better than Sovtek, cost little and in my experience greatly outlive most NOS.

Rod, let me know where you can find some reasonably priced Siemens CCA's!!

I have the Siemens tubes....to my ear the Amperex 7308's are a much better sounding tube.....not even close really. Mine are boxed up, I think the $10.00 each EH-6922's sound better.

Dave

That's the same seller (http://shop.ebay.com/member/?_frompage=findamember&_adv=1&_userid=audiotubes_de&_tokentext=383655&tokenstring=MqcnIwQAAAA%253D) that I've used for CCa's, 7308's and E188CC's. He's very reliable and scrupulous as a businessman. He used to have an online store, before selling on eBay. I haven't noticed him offering any CCa's lately though. Be certain not to buy any Siemens CCa's from the late 60's/early 70's. They are quite strident.

Some may consider NOS tubes expensive,but if you take in to account the reliability/longevity-they are a bargain.
I've had tubes that are dead in six months,the NOS tubes lasted for five years and were still going strong.

To my ears/IMHO/in my system/I've owned and sold/they are much better than.........

Go buy the Amperex / CCa Siemens and keep both of them and when you want a different flavor change them out. They are both outstanding tubes but with a different sound.

Much good advice on Amperex and Telefunken.

One great value, the Toyota/Honda analogy fits, is the Tunsgram from Hungary. These are quiet, pretty neutral, with good extension in the highs -- not too bright, but plenty of air. Bass is not as strong as the better Amperexs, but still better than many other tubes. These were a pleasant surprise when I got them as part of a bundled purchase...Cheers,
Spencer

I've tried quite a few 6922 types in my tape preamplifier (Bottlehead Repro)including the Siemens, Amperexes and Teles. The 6922EH is not a bad tube and Bottlehead and CJ get good sound out of it, to wit the ART and GAT.

One tube that you might want to consider that won't cost an arm and leg and has very good transparency, detail and low end extension and tightness are the Telefunken PCC88/7DJ8s. 7308s and E88CC/miniwatt amperexes have a bit better midrange presence and ambience but the low end is not up to the teles.

Myles

A good reasonably priced 6922 that has good balance top to bottom, is quiet, and doesn't get alot of press is the Japense made Matsushita. To my ears, they sound better than the new 6922's being manufactured today.

What about a Seimens/Phillips 7308 platinum grade from Upscale $50?