Upscale audio advice


I have been looking to change the tubes on my BAT VK-30 from the Russian made 6922/6h23 which work fine but am looking into upgrading them. I looked at the Upscale selection and a few options initially caught my eye. These are as follows:
1)Amperex 7308 vintage gold pin
2)Amperex 6DJ8/ECC88 Bugle Boy
3)Ediswan CV2492/6922
4)Mullard 2493/6922 & Mullard E188CC/7308

All of which, if I choose their Platinum grade, range from $70 to $110.00 each which seemed pretty reasonable to me. The problem is, their sales guys tells me that none of these are suitable for my Pre-amp. He goes on to tell me that the only units that will work are the very same 6H23's that I already have. Is this sound advice from them given the fact that I would like to spend some decent coin to upgrade or do they not wish to deal with me? I have seen in other forums that they tend to want to sell to customers who have purchased equipment from them. Is this true? I do want to change my tubes given the fact that they are about 5 yrs old and definately are due for a change. I find it hard to believe that the only option they have that will work with my VK-30 would be these cheaper $35.00 per tube units. Any further comments anybody may want to add to this or advice you may have for me?
vinylmad814

Showing 1 response by mofimadness

I had a BAT VK-30 and used numerous different 6DJ8/6922/7308 tubes in it. Not sure what the Upscale Audio guy was thinking? The VK-30SE uses ONLY 6H30 tubes, maybe he was confused.

Of the ones you listed, I have #1,2 and 4. My favorites are the USN-CEP Amperex 7308 and the Mullards.

I have always had excellent service from Kevin Deal, (the owner) at Upscale Audio, maybe try to talk to him. He has never steered me wrong and I have been buying from him for close to 20 years.