6922 Tube Recos

adam2434

I'm looking for potential tube upgrades for a Music Hall DAC which uses a single Electro-Harmonix 6922 as an output buffer.

I would be interested to hear folks thoughts on 6922 tube preferences and sonic improvements.

The Mullard and Siemens 6922 go for around $130 from what I've seen so far, but I'm not sure this DAC's output buffer would benefit from such a costly upgrade.

Thanks,

Adam

Ricardo

Amperex, almost anything from them will be good (bugle boy, orange globe, etc), and you don't have to pay that much.

adam2434

Thanks, I'll check out Amperex.

I emailed Music Hall regarding tube and opamp recos and Roy Hall suggested the $225 EAT Cool Valve ECC88. Now that's a pricey tube!

thsmith

I have a quad of bugleboys and find I am liking RCAs over the AMperex in my ANthem pre 1l.

mhardy6647

Definitely Amperex; that's also (fwiw) what I use in my Bottlehead Seduction phono preamp.
EDIT: RCA are OK too, and not so 'spensive (last time I bought any).

george daniel

All I can say is to shop around first,, if you buy NOS make damn sure you know/trust the individual that you are dealing with,and you are getting NOS--you get what you pay for--good luck and happy listening.You might wanna pm Dr. Cilantro.:)

Face

Ricardo wrote: »

Amperex, almost anything from them will be good (bugle boy, orange globe, etc), and you don't have to pay that much.

I agree.

adam2434

Thanks to all for the input.

What are some reputable online tube stores?

thsmith

Brent Jesse, google him

adam2434

thsmith wrote: »

Brent Jesse, google him

I saw his website last night and decided to email him this morning per your reco. Thanks.

adam2434

Brent Jessee recommended a NOS French Mazda which he sells for $99.

Ricardo

adam2434 wrote: »

Brent Jessee recommended a NOS French Mazda which he sells for $99.

That might be a great tube, but more expensive not necessarily means better to your ears. Of course Brent knows his stuff, and he has a good return policy. If you don't like the tube, you can send it back and get something different. Not sure how the pricing works though; you'd have to check with him if you could exchange for a lower price tube.

If I were you though I'd try some $30-$40 Amperex and see how it goes.

george daniel

If you are going to buy from Brent,, I would suggest calling him,,I did,and spoke with him directly,,I am very satisfied with his service and the tubes that I purchased. Let us know how it turns out.:)

W WALDECKER

thsmith wrote: »

I have a quad of bugleboys and find I am liking RCAs over the Amperex in my Anthem pre 1l.

RCA never manufactured thier own 6922 but other manufacturers labled thier tubes for RCA. i have seen RCA labled tubes with either Siemens or Amperex manufacturing and date codes.;)

NJPOLKER

I bought a pair of those Mazda's and a pair of Mullards from Brent and am really really happy I did. I doubt what I hear in my pre-amp has much to do with what you will hear.

But, I have had the Mazda's up front and now have the Mullards up front with the Mazda's in the rear. What I noticed right away with the Mullards up front is that the highs are a little more pronounced. Its too soon for me to decide if I like it that way or not. Thats one of the great things about tube rolling. I should have some free time to listen a lot more later in the week. One thing I do know is that they made a HUGE difference in sound quality over the base line tubes I used prior to them.

Deal with Brent and like a lot of us you'll be happy you did.

george daniel

W WALDECKER wrote: »

RCA never manufactured thier own 6922 but other manufacturers labled thier tubes for RCA. i have seen RCA labled tubes with either Siemens or Amperex manufacturing and date codes.;)

WCW is on the clock--IIRC a large number of the RCA 6922's were made by Siemens. I had a pair that I paid 20 bucks for,and I believe that they had the amperex date codes.

thsmith

W WALDECKER wrote: »

RCA never manufactured thier own 6922 but other manufacturers labled thier tubes for RCA. i have seen RCA labled tubes with either Siemens or Amperex manufacturing and date codes.;)

Yep, these are Siemans made and to me they are a step above the Amperex Bugles.

adam2434

Well, after a little tube research on the web today, and I'm finding tubes to be a very rich and involved (and potentially expensive) subject...and one that I can tell will take some time to master. Jon (Dr Cilantro) and I have been communicating over email and he has been very good to try to answer my questions.

Since the DAC only uses one tube, I'm pretty open to options that might cost a little more, assuming it's worth it.

The main ones I'm considering are Mazda (France), Amperex, and Siemens at this point.

doctorcilantro

W WALDECKER wrote: »

RCA never manufactured thier own 6922 but other manufacturers labled thier tubes for RCA. i have seen RCA labled tubes with either Siemens or Amperex manufacturing and date codes.;)

True, mainly it was Sylvania for the USA versions of RCA. Sylvania also made some for Westinghouse.

I have found RCA 6BM8 with both Siemens and Amperex codes, so that mirrors your observations.

I told Adam that I recently had a friend use some Mazda RT RTC E188CC in the Bottlehead Seduction (connected direct to his reel to reel tape-head) and he liked them better than the Amperex USN or USA
PQ 7308.

For a buffer it may really be more important to have a balanced well-performing tube.

DC

adam2434

I ended up ordering a NOS French Mazda (Philips-owned factory) 7308/E188CC from Brent Jessee - should arrive next week.

The 7308/E188CC is the ultra-premium version (lowest noise/microphonics, matched triode sections, longest life) of the 6922/6DJ8 family, so I'm really curious to hear what it sounds like in the DAC. Brent said to expect a significant improvement over the stock EH tube. Should be interesting - we'll see.

thsmith

I think you will be WOWed ! Brent will not stear you wrong.

doctor r

You will enjoy a defenite improvement over what you have been hearing. The nice part is many preamps and tube front ends use the 6922 family so this tube could potentially be moved to future purchases with equal success.

dorokusai

I've accumulated a healthy tube stash over the years whilst doing exactly what you're doing Adam. It's a great tube family to get involved with and as previously mentioned, you'll be able to use them again. You will also find that they will shine in some gear and not in others....that's the beauty of it all.