Are these good tubes?

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AliG

Are these good tubes?
« on: 19 May 2008, 03:47 am »
I'm looking for Siemens 6922, can anyone tell me why I should not buy these??

http://www.tubemonger.com/Siemens_MPs_1974_E88CC_6922_A_Frame_Gold_Pin_MINT_p/857.htm

Thanks
barry

AliG

Re: Are these good tubes?
« Reply #1 on: 19 May 2008, 04:23 am »
German dealer?? Where can I find him??  aa

jules

Re: Are these good tubes?
« Reply #2 on: 19 May 2008, 04:31 am »
Probably too costly for what they are, though they look to be genuinely NOS and they are a good tube.

As tvad says, the earlier Siemens were generally better and of those the "gray plate" double getters were probably the best.

These Siemens appear to be A frame design which is good and often underrated but for the money you might be better off with something like a pair of Amperex orange globe logo A frames which will only cost you ~$50 for a matched NOS pair and they are a very good tube. If you're still having that hum problem the Amperex just might help too. On top of that, if you're getting into tube rolling it's not a bad idea to try some cheaper ones first to get the feel of the brand before lashing out and buying the pinched waist Amperex D getters  :D. Given the different needs of different systems, price isn't a foolproof guide that something will work for you.

jules

AliG

Re: Are these good tubes?
« Reply #3 on: 19 May 2008, 01:08 pm »
I have a pair of Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8 from VintageTubeServices, this is the early 1970 version which sounds warmer than the later version.

While it has lower noise floor than the Tesla JJ 6DJ8 (the stock tube in my Dodd preamp), it makes my system sounded a little bit too warm to my liking. I hear people saying that the Siemens 6922 sounded more detailed, airy and tighter bass, is that true??



I agree 100% with jules.

Nothing wrong with good 'ol Amperex Bugle Boy 6DJ8 either.

One of the things that makes Siemens CCa and Amperex 6922 pinch waist tubes sound so magical is their inherent microphonics that makes the image width and depth just explode into almost unreal proportions. It's like listening on crack cocaine (I think...I've never tried crack). This can be a good thing, or it can be a real problem in some gear. Finding just the right tube in these two examples can be a time consuming and expensive chore...

Better to stick with the less finicky options, IMO.



martyo

Re: Are these good tubes?
« Reply #4 on: 19 May 2008, 04:17 pm »
Quote
They make tube gear sound closest to solid state...if that makes sense.

I would phrase it that the Siemens are more true to the real sound, not as colored.

martyo

Re: Are these good tubes?
« Reply #5 on: 19 May 2008, 04:21 pm »
I've also done business with the "monger" and my brother close to $2K. He might be high (there's also others higher), but you get EXACTLY what is advertised.

martyo

Re: Are these good tubes?
« Reply #6 on: 19 May 2008, 04:31 pm »
I reacted to the solid state. My experience with Siemens and Bugle Boys is similiar to yours, but there's a lot of less than desirable SS gear.......IMHO

AliG

Re: Are these good tubes?
« Reply #7 on: 19 May 2008, 04:52 pm »
Alright...I called Andy from VintageTubeServices.. he told me that he has a bunch of lightly used Siemens 6922 1960s, so I told him I'll send my Amperex back for an exchange. I just felt that Andy is more trustworthy than those Ebay/Audiogon sellers - maybe I am wrong. :wink:

yooper

Re: Are these good tubes?
« Reply #8 on: 19 May 2008, 05:10 pm »
Barry,

I realize you didn't ask for opinions on tubes for the Dodd, but I'll toss in my two cents anyway  :P

I too have tossed the Siemens idea around for my Dodd as well, and may still look into buying a pair.

I can't give an opinion on the Siemens as I have not heard them, but I can tell you that I am very happy with a pair of Amperex 6922 PQ-white label-US version.  I can tell you that the difference between the stock JJ's and this particular Amperex is night and day.  The background is even more silent, and there is more space between the notes.  The Amperex just seems to let the music breathe while giving more detail.

Here is a nice write up of one persons experiences with the 6DJ8 family.... http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/faq/joes-tubes.html#6DJ8

Granted, this is one persons opinion based on using his rig, but it is a good read if you have not read it before.

My previous pre used 12AU7's and I rolled around 6 pairs, but I had a hard time hearing much of a difference between tubes.  I wondered what all the tube rolling hoopla was about, and even wondered If it was me not knowing what to listen for.  Not so with the 6DJ8 family, I really hear a difference with these tubes as well as a couple others I had access to  :thumb:, Now I understand the tube "hoopla".

Good luck and enjoy your tube quest.

Mark


zybar

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Re: Are these good tubes?
« Reply #9 on: 19 May 2008, 05:25 pm »
Alright...I called Andy from VintageTubeServices.. he told me that he has a bunch of lightly used Siemens 6922 1960s, so I told him I'll send my Amperex back for an exchange. I just felt that Andy is more trustworthy than those Ebay/Audiogon sellers - maybe I am wrong. :wink:


Good move Barry.

When you are ready to go crazy, shoot me a PM as I might be willing to sell a pair of Amperex 6922 pinch waist tubes.   aa

George

AliG

Re: Are these good tubes?
« Reply #10 on: 19 May 2008, 05:41 pm »
Amperex "Pinch Waist":drool: :drool: :drool:         I saw these go for $500 a pair  :o
I first need to fatten my waist (bank account) first before it can afford to be pinched! :green: :green:


Alright...I called Andy from VintageTubeServices.. he told me that he has a bunch of lightly used Siemens 6922 1960s, so I told him I'll send my Amperex back for an exchange. I just felt that Andy is more trustworthy than those Ebay/Audiogon sellers - maybe I am wrong. :wink:


Good move Barry.

When you are ready to go crazy, shoot me a PM as I might be willing to sell a pair of Amperex 6922 pinch waist tubes.   aa

George

Steve

Re: Are these good tubes?
« Reply #11 on: 19 May 2008, 07:54 pm »
Alot is going to depend on the design, and parts used in a particular component. Some components may sound better with one brand than another.

For instance, I found the late 50s, early 60s Amperex bugleboy not a straightwire, but changed the sound vs the JJ E88ccs.

Wanted to add, alot depends on parts values as well. This includes values of the plate resistor, which changes distortion patterns, etc.

Hope this helps.

« Last Edit: 20 May 2008, 08:49 pm by Steve »