What made you change to a 6SN7 preamp?

It was a coincidence that my fave little Dennis Had Firebottle tube amp has one 6SN7GTB input tube (only 4 tubes total in that amp including a rectifier and two power tubes), and after using it with a SS preamp for a while I tried a Schiitt Freya (original version) and it has has 4. So now I have a drawer full. The sonic characteristics are simply great tone including exhibiting tonal greatness,  immense personal satisfaction, and impersonal satisfaction. 

@bigkidz nailed the 6SN7/6922 comparison.

 Perhaps I shouldn't comment, because I've never owned a 6SN7 based pre.  

OK, as long as you insist.  

What I can say is that I've never been satisfied with my system without a 6SN7 tube in there somewhere.  There is just a magic that they impart to the midrange, especially with brass instruments, that has no parallel.  My old Modwright Sony CD player with the right 6SN7 tubes could do French Horns like no other source I ever heard. 

The popularity of this tube has inspired a lot of new production attention.  There are good-really good- new production 6SN7s out there.  They aren't cheap, but they are being produced and they measure up to and arguably exceed many of the top tier NOS tubes.  You can't say that about the 6922.  Good luck trying to find a NOS 6922 that will hold its own against those old Siemens tubes. 

My preamp uses 101D tubes, and I just love the sound of its Psvane WE replica tubes. That tube has similar virtues to a great 300B.  My source uses 6922s, and I sprung for the NOS Siemens tubes which are worth every penny. They are amazing tubes.  Sweet, smooth, great tone, fast and dynamic.  Superb.  I've carefully selected the 6SN7s in my Atma-Sphere M-60's,  I really think all of these tube designs adds something special, and none of them have glaring weaknesses. 

It takes good design/implementation, system synergy. and then finding the optimal tube choice for the equipment you have if you want to maximize performance. 

If I were to move on from my current preamp, I'd probably be looking for a 6SN7 based unit.  

@hilde45 another factor in responses so far may also relate to some people jumping up a level or two on design and improved parts quality with their next tube preamp purchase.

Strictly speaking, i.e bumping from something like a $1500 12Axx preamp up to a $3000+ 6SN7 based [a higher quality] tube preamp as a normal course of order.

With that said, I have no desire to change away from my own upgraded 6SN7 tube preamp and particularly so once I heard higher quality n7 tubes in it.

The almost infinite choices,is what makes this hobby so wonderful. There is literally a different option for every single preference.  The fact is,I truly enjoy the choices I’ve made. But that’s not saying there are 1000’s more I would enjoy also. Or even more. 

I run a preamp which uses 6 x 6DJ8's and the sound is as Bigkidz describes though perhaps a touch of warmth. Never had a 6SN7 preamp in my system always been curious.

+1 bigkidz regarding the 6SN7. I once own a Carver cd player that had the 6DJ8 tubes in analog output stage.  Loved the sound of it, was as good to my ears as many more expensive players in the 90s. 

In building preamp amplifiers, the 6SN7 based tube in general is a warmer sound, more relaxed presentation, more dimensional soundstage with real mid-range beauty.  That being said, the 6DJ8/6922 is generally more dynamic, faster, better clarity, and more slam.  It is a more upfront presentation.

Each one has benefits that may attract a person to that type of sound.

Happy Listening.

I’ve used 6SN7 preamps for years now. Richer tone, greater linearity, in general less gain, and better availability of new production tubes that actually sound good. While I usually run NOS tubes, there are currently produced 6SN7s that I could easily live with if the supply of reasonably priced NOS tubes dried up.

My latest is the Atma-Sphere MP-3, possibly The Final Preamp for me. I’ve also owned a Don Sachs Model 2, the Modwright LS-100, the LTA MZ2, a Consonance Cyber 222, and a Wright Sound WLA12A.

in my experience , i have heard in same design , just difference tube, and listened many 12 series and 6sn7.. even 6sn7 in metal base(the best)(7n7 is  sounding close/same? as metal base) as we all know, please be aware, the implement is the main concern. in general the tube is bigger, better, not narrow , more detail, sweeter?(focal presentation area) than 12at/au/ax etc. 

@tidybear , in the main I hear the same , More solid tone and texture , similarly with amplification.

Great replies! Keep them coming. I've had great experiences with Brent Jessee, too. Props to him.

my Cayin came with Cayin branded 6sn7 and 6sl7.

one burnt out, I tried a pricey pair of .... from Brent Jessee. Definitely changed the sound, I did not like them. Brent had me burn them in 60 hrs, then decide.

He let me exchange them for a different brand, half price, they sound terrific. I paid shipping, he refunded the difference in price.

IOW, research, ask, buy from someone like Brent Jessee who will let you exchange them till you get the magic.

Passive, to 12a?7 pre to 6sn7 pre. The 6sn7 pre resides in my main system,the passive and 12a?7 pre are rotated in my secondary system.  The 6sn7 pre is an Aric Audio Motherlode II. It throws an incredible soundstage,great detail,totally pleasing sound to these ears.  It is definitely my forever pre. (At least until it’s not) LOL! 

My change was from another tube preamp and it got me in the right direction. More meat and flesh but without losing the top end or any detail. 

to me 6sn7 has better sound stage than many 12A?? small tube series.