6922 tube question

Unfortunately for you most of the qualities that you seek are those for which the Sovtek is generally condemmed, that it lacks any warmth. Personally I have not heard a 6922 with less warmth than the Sovtek but I'm sure there must be some NOS tubes that do. I use 6h23's - they are nearly identical to the Sovteks but are a bit smoother and almost as quiet. I find little difference in small tube sound after they have run in about 24 hours.

I second the Siemens. Also an Amprex 7308 would get you what you want.

Of the dozen or so 6DJ8s I have personally experimented with in preamp application, the Siemens 7308s ae my favorites. But, for the price, the Siemens 6922s and Amperex 6922PQs are hard to beat. Joe's Tube Lore at AudioAsylum's FAQ is a good place to go for reviews of tubes of this size.

I basically agree that the problem you speak of is probably
not the fault of the Sovteks. Make no mistake that there
are better tubes out there. If you haven't spiked your
speakers or used some resonance control with your componets
you may find that doing some 'tweeking' may really help.

Before you experiment with tubes try a different (SS) preamp and see how your system sounds. The Sovteks do not in any way sound the way you've described. They are not warm! They're bright and harsh. There's more going on here than tubes.