6922 tube prices....

TroyD

What the actual eff?

So, I got a Modwright modded Cambridge Cxn streamer.......and it uses 6922 tubes. Back in the day when I was swapping gear like my underwear, I had quite a stash going......but over the years, I’ve given most of them away.

I’ve gone through a pair of Telefunkens (a little romantic, not enough image specificity for me but soundstage champs)......Gold Lions which just didn’t jive and am currently listening to my tried and true JAN Phillips.

I was thinking a pair of Siemens was would fit the bill (and used to have a pair) or Ampex (I found the boxes but they were empty).....but holy schiitballs, when did the ubiquitous 6922 become pricier than an 8 ball of pure Colombian bam-bam??

GlennDog

Biden0miks . . . Thanks Josephine

current production Tung Sol KT-120s are sky high (last I checked) and my monos require 4 each! They're approx $100 each . . .. and I'm piszed!

marvda1

See if it will take 7dj8's.

bcwsrt

GlennDog wrote: »

Biden0miks . . . Thanks Josephine

current production Tung Sol KT-120s are sky high (last I checked) and my monos require 4 each! They're approx $100 each . . .. and I'm piszed!

Might want to keep your eye on https://www.vivatubes.com/. I got a matched quad of KT120s in late-August for $335.16. They went fast, but maybe there will be more coming.

If they email about more stock like they did the last time, I’ll let you know.

audioluvr

Kinda like a fine wine or an early hemi Mopar. Prices are just going up and up.

audioluvr

audioluvr wrote: »

Kinda like a fine wine or an early hemi Mopar. Prices are just going up and up.

Edit: actually I don't know crap about vintage wine values...

heiney9

It seems all the popular tube prices have increased a lot. Some sales on Ebay are just dreamers, but the average cost has gone way up.

H9

billbillw

The really good ones are not being made anymore. It is a diminishing supply. Accordingly, the price must get higher as the supply dwindles. At some point, they will cost a bitcoin for one of the good ones. I have a stash of maybe a pair that I'm holding on to, but I doubt I'll ever have tubes in my system again. I'll sell them at some point if the price is right.

Jetmaker737

I've been casually shopping around for a tube integrated amp to maybe swap into my system in place of the Luxman from time to time. But now I'm wondering if investing in tube gear might not be a good idea. Bummer.

heiney9

Jetmaker737 wrote: »

I've been casually shopping around for a tube integrated amp to maybe swap into my system in place of the Luxman from time to time. But now I'm wondering if investing in tube gear might not be a good idea. Bummer.

Depends, there are a lot of current made tubes available. It's the classics from back in the day that each year become more scarce and prices go up. IMO, it's still worth it to try and experience tubes.

Today's tubes are pretty good, just not quite like the original manufacture tubes from the 50-60's. You can still experience great tube sound.

H9

machone

Why don't they make the same quality tubes today?

heiney9

machone wrote: »

Why don't they make the same quality tubes today?

The tube makers are mostly all old or dead, it was an art form. Machining is not as good or precise (to cut costs). Many of the raw materials/processes used have been banned because they are bad for the environment. Raw material costs are high, so cutting corners using less pure materials seems to be common today. All around the process is shorter to keep costs in check. When in reality a longer process might yield a better, more consistent product. For example, the room tubes are made in needs to be 100% free of any dirt particles.....that's expensive so I'm sure today the rooms aren't as dirt and dust free as in the past.

In the late 70's early 80's Ei aquired most of the old Telefunken tooling to make signal tubes. They did make a line of tubes with said equipment. It was hit or miss. Many tubes were highly microphonic or failed prematurely. The one's that actually were free of the later didn't really sound like Telefunken tubes. Many people like the sound of Ei's if you can find good ones, but to say it sounded like a Tele, would be a fabrication.

There are lots of great sounding, long lasting tubes being made today. The consensus is they just don't quite sound the same as the old tubes. Power tubes are excellent today. Will there ever be a current EL34 that sounds quite as good as a 60's Mullard EL34? No, but some EL34's made today are excellent, same with 6L6's and 6V6's.

I suppose if one never goes down the rabbit hole of Old Stock tubes, they don't have anything to compare. Sticking with new tubes is certainly a great choice as well.

IMO, I personally haven't found any signal tubes made today that sound as good as the Old Stock tubes. Doesn't mean the tubes made today sound bad or one can't build a very respectable tube rig around the tubes made today.

Hope this helps

H9

Toolfan66

Your favorite 6922’s?

I am all ears on these, and not afraid to try a pair (of tubes that is) that doesn’t sound much better does it?

heiney9

Mine?

I don't have a piece of gear that uses them so I really can't say. Amperex were the go to when the Dodd stuff was popular, I think. 6922 was later to the party and not made specifically for audio IIRC. It's one of newer signal tubes (relatively speaking) 6922/6DJ8/ECC88 are the same tube. When I say newer I mean they weren't originally used for audio, that came later than 12AU7, 12AX7, etc.

Also, IIRC, there isn't as much variance between old stock tubes because unlike the other makers and because it was designed later, there aren't that many choices. Lots of labels for sure, but not that many variations like a 12AX7 or 12AU7, etc.

CCa's are probably the best of the best and highly, highly desirable. Very scarce these days.

I think it's also fair to say that overall much less of this type of tube was manufactured compared to the other 9 PIN miniatures, so that is also a disadvantage right out of the gate.

Beyond that I really don't have an experience.

Here's a good run down from a reliable source:

http://www.audiotubes.com/6dj8.htm

H9

Pay close attention to the note at the bottom of Brent Jesse's page about Bugle Boy 6922/6DJ8's. Lots and lots of fakes going around.

invalid

The 6922/6dj8 was developed by amperex in 1958, these tubes used an ultra fine wire stretched over a stiff frame ( that's why they are know as frame grid tubes). They can be more prone to microphonics. You have to be careful who you buy them from, I would buy them from Andy at vintage tube audio, he is honest and has been selling tubes for several decades, but you have to call him on the phone he is old school, and you have to be patient as it takes a while to receive the tubes.

pitdogg2

Here you go Troy, I've bought from this guy twice, is very legit. My tubes eight in total (12au7) I bought were all tested good some were just under NOS others well above NOS. He has had some very nice tubes he has sold, communicates well.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/314861534677?hash=item494f35bdd5:g:yjwAAOSwTLNk9zC9


https://www.ebay.com/itm/314861517266?hash=item494f3579d2:g:~e0AAOSwzgNk9zmp

dromunds

I use some 6922’s and have always preferred the Amperex by a large margin. I use 7308’s mostly in place of 6922, they are pricier in general however. Same with the 7308’s, I prefer Amperex by a wide margin. Not a fan of modern

mhardy6647

dromunds wrote: »

I use some 6922’s and have always preferred the Amperex by a large margin. I use 7308’s mostly in place of 6922, they are pricier in general however. Same with the 7308’s, I prefer Amperex by a wide margin. Not a fan of modern

Amperex 7308s are an expensive habit.