[Brimanzappa]

I imagine this has been hashed out many times before. I am not able to use the search function on Audio Circle yet since this is my second post. I have searched the internet and most 6922 inquiries are from at least two years ago, and many that are much older. So, I ask for your recommendations regarding current 6922 status. I do not want to spend big dollars on esoteric NOS versions. I would like a tube with balanced sound from low to high frequency, soundstage, low noise, etc. I have an Audio Research SPP9 MKIII that will receive the replacement tubes. Thanks in advance for your input

All the best, Brian

[JakeJ]

Hello and welcome, Brian!

For new production I've been rewarded with good sonics using the JJ E88CC Gold.  I have not tried the Genalex Gold Lion and at $65+ I won't be.  If you can find them the Reflector 6H23p-EB is a good choice.  I would avoid the green labeled Joint Army Navy Philips or GE tubes as I've found them to sound very sterile.

Enjoy!

[Tyson]

Avoid Genelex and new production Tung Sol.  Sovtek and JJ are also is not great. 

I see a pair of Sylvania on eBay for $60, that is what I would get. 

[FullRangeMan]

Sylvanias NOS from the 1960s or older have good sound, but not 1970s years.

[FullRangeMan]

Hello and welcome, Brian!

For new production I've been rewarded with good sonics using the JJ E88CC Gold.  I have not tried the Genalex Gold Lion and at $65+ I won't be.  If you can find them the Reflector 6H23p-EB is a good choice.  I would avoid the green labeled Joint Army Navy Philips or GE tubes as I've found them to sound very sterile.

GSTube.com have plenty of 6H23 Reflector and others Noval versions.
Check them asap, You will be attend by Andrey and his wife Natasha.
https://www.gstube.com/catalog/?key=6n23&submit=Find

[Tyson]

Sylvanias NOS from the 1960s or older have good sound, but not 1970s years.

Sure but still way better than the modern production tubes.

[FullRangeMan]

Sure but still way better than the modern production tubes.

Well, new production tubes are a prob even in Russia.

[nlitworld]

Genelex and TungSol just have a bit of flat two dimensionality and are a bit edgy. Technically they hit your liat of desires, but come at a cost of the musicality and body being stripped. Definitely better than EH or JJ, but still not worth it. There's still enough NOS 6DJ8 variants around that the little extra $ is still worth it. Whether some Mazda 7308 are in your future is up to you.

Check Brent Jesse Tubes and see which ones work. Brent Jesse Tubes Website We expect you to report back on your findings. 

[mjosef]

JJ E88CC highly recommended. Tube Depot currently has a 20% sale on the gold pins. I use these in my CAT pre, very dynamic balanced sound.

[SteveFord]

I always go with Sylvania if possible, they seem to offer a balanced sound from top to bottom.

[opnly bafld]

JJ E88CC highly recommended. Tube Depot currently has a 20% sale on the gold pins. I use these in my CAT pre, very dynamic balanced sound.

+1

[Brimanzappa]

Thank you for all the responses!

mjosef: Pricing on the JJs is good, especially during the sale.
nlitworld: Thanks for the referral to Brent Jesse tubes. This seems to be a great resource that I will be pursuing after Thanksgiving. I need take the time to read the entire 6922 page.
FullRangeMan: Thanks for the referral to GStubes "Russian tubes directly from Russia." Interesting
JakeJ: I was curious about the green labeled JAN tubes. Thanks for your insight.
Tyson: I almost pulled the trigger on the eBay Sylvanias but pulled back until after I look at the resources posed by others.

Yesterday I was going through a file for a long dormant D250 and found a receipt for 10 Sovtek 6922s. I forgot about purchasing them since it was back in the 90s. I'll need to pull out my tube stash to see what I have on hand. The preamp currently has Sovteks in it so I must have swapped out the originals. I'm hoping to find the originals in my stash as well. If I recall correctly, The OEM tubes were Russian.

This will now need to wait until after Thanksgiving.

Thanks again for the replies and happy Thanksgiving to you all, Brian

[RPM123]

Hi. PM me, I have some 6922 tubes that I can sell. Thinning out my tube collection.

[FullRangeMan]

Hi,
Please note that after 6 months the tube getter goes to sleep and no more clean the vacuum, so before a new use its need reactivate the getter again.

[brooklyn]

I purchase these from Upscale a little over a year ago for my Pathos Logos Integrated amp.. I don't remember what I paid but they do sound really good..


 

[Brimanzappa]

Hi,
Please note that after 6 months the tube getter goes to sleep and no more clean the vacuum, so before a new use its need reactivate the getter again.

This is new info for me. What does this mean? Does this apply to all tubes unused for 6 months.

[S Clark]

" Does this apply to all tubes unused for 6 months. "
No. Old unused tubes are just fine.  Most of  us have tubes that have been sitting for years (decades?) with  no  problem.   
I've found some very nice sounding 7dj8 tubes that work well in many 6dj8 (6922) applications.   Older Valvo's are  nice. 

[gene9p]

I use Amperex 7308 tubes with gold pins and green label in my Vinnie Rossi Lio....

[FullRangeMan]

This is new info for me. What does this mean? Does this apply to all tubes unused for 6 months.

All getters needs heat to operate properly (clean the vacuum), after 6 months with no tube use(heat) the getter start loose the cleaning effect, it needs to be heated again to start clean any possible gas inside.

For a partial explanation check Getting The Most of Vacuum Tubes/Tomer page 22-30.