Newbie question....6922 tubes....

I've tried a few and I prefer the Gold Lion 6922. Also new gear can be pretty hard on tubes, so that may be an even bigger factor in limiting your choices.

The most important thing when choosing driver or preamp tube isn't "spending the most" but getting "the best tube" for YOUR system.

When I need GOOD honest advice I contact Jim McShane. Jim's part Saint and part audio enthusiast. But most of all he's usually right.

Addendum: I did a little reading and the LSA. I noticed that it comes with EH6922s. From MY limited knowledge of tubes I believe they are also one of the few tubes that can handle being driven quite hard. So check before you buy or you are just going to blow tubes.

If you want a general review of the GL I use it in my Conrad Johnson. Reviews can vary on use and gear.

Thank you....., posted on May 28, 2017 at 07:08:58
gregwalshfmc@gmail.com Distributor or Rep Posts: 56 Location: Massachusettes Joined: November 30, 2015	There were a few 6922's online, no GL's, that I thought I might buy for spares. Thanks for the advice! Greg

RE: Newbie question....6922 tubes...., posted on May 28, 2017 at 07:21:34
Sondek Audiophile Posts: 9632 Location: Fort Worth Joined: May 17, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	I very much prefer the gold pin JJ 6922s. The GL is a good tube, but sounds a little dark and congested to me in my CAT SL1. The JJ is more balanced and has a more believable mid-range tone. Tube Depot or Cryoset would be good sources. No matter which 6922 you buy, don't cheap-out. Pay extra to have them selected for low noise and low microphony.

Amperex invented the frame grid 6dj8/6922, posted on May 28, 2017 at 12:11:00

DAK
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Posts: 2712
Location: PACIFIC
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I suggest you try some Holland made 6dj8 or 6922. Because their engineers decided, initially, how to make the tubes. They decided on the materials, and all other aspects of the design. And typically, it was built to a level exceeding the requirements. After the initial design they improved it with the "A frame", and other upgrades including the 6922 and 7308. Both are designed for long life and tighter tolerances. The special quality or SQ are 10,000 hour tubes. The Amperex and Siemens 7308 are still some of the best of the type made and more importantly the best sounding, although everyone has their personal faves.

RE: Newbie question....6922 tubes...., posted on May 28, 2017 at 13:13:35

Eli Duttman
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Posts: 10455
Location: Monroe Township, NJ
Joined: March 31, 2000

Yes, the EH 6922, originally known as the 6H23П-EB (6n23p-ev), is a very, very, tough "hombre". Many current designs, like AI, abuse their 6922 family tubes. A lot of tubes, both OS and current production, don't stand up to the abuse. The Russian 6H23П-EB will and it has decent, if unspectacular, sonics. In NOS, Hicksville, NY, made Amperex 7308s are tough enough, but you need Bill Gates' bankroll to afford them.

Eli D.

RE: Newbie question....6922 tubes...., posted on May 28, 2017 at 14:06:38
Mendel Audiophile Posts: 1207 Location: GTA Joined: January 17, 2009	You have a $8500 integrated amp there. Don't skimp on the tubes, go for some vintage Amperex or Siemens or Telefunkens. Might cost you a couple of hundred, but your ears will thank you for years. Enjoy the roll!

+1, posted on May 28, 2017 at 14:49:10

bcowen
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Posts: 1076
Location: North Carolina
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Can't comment on the JJ's (haven't tried them), but my +1 is for your solid advice to buy tested and matched tubes from a reliable vendor.

To the OP: with such a nice (and expensive) component, don't have unsafe sex and buy tubes off of Ebay. :) Stick with a reliable and trustworthy supplier (Jim McShane being one) that thoroughly tests the tubes before sending to you. You'll pay a little extra, and it's totally worth it.

RE: Newbie question....6922 tubes...., posted on May 28, 2017 at 17:16:02
airtime Audiophile Posts: 11287 Location: Arizona Joined: February 4, 2003	Just make sure your amp isn't going to eat them before investing that kind of money. Also it would be an even bigger waste seeing such a valuable tube destroyed unnecessarily.

The best I've tried..., posted on May 28, 2017 at 17:28:08

FenderLover

Is the Tungsram E88CC. The ones that I am familiar with are the red labeled variety. Like TubeMonger's photo. Very clean sound. Not overly bitter sounding mids, like some other 6992 type tubes.

RE: Newbie question....6922 tubes...., posted on May 28, 2017 at 18:02:18

Eli Duttman
Audiophile

Posts: 10455
Location: Monroe Township, NJ
Joined: March 31, 2000

Exactly! Just because the unit has a hefty price tag, doesn't mean tube abuse is absent. The OEM use of the Russian tube may be a warning. While the 6H23П-EB may not be the best sounding variant, it is decent and its toughness is, most definitely, not an issue.

FWIW, some folks think the "reissue" Gold Lion variant is "the best" sounding variant. However, good sound or not, the GL will not tolerate abuse.

Eli D.

RE: The best I've tried..., posted on May 28, 2017 at 18:12:14

Eli Duttman
Audiophile

Posts: 10455
Location: Monroe Township, NJ
Joined: March 31, 2000

If the tubes fail, due to designer abuse, their sonics are irrelevant. I have nothing but disdain for the bleat "It sounds better that way". Unreliable equipment doesn't sound, at all. :>((

Sticking to the Russian 6H23П-EB is safe. If clear evidence of proper engineering comes to the fore, the OP can entertain the purchase of costly 6922 variants. The "reissue" GL is expensive and premium OS tubes are ridiculously expensive.

Eli D.

OH MY GOD, what did I get myself into??!!!!!, posted on May 28, 2017 at 18:43:52

gregwalshfmc@gmail.com
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The amp hasn't even arrived yet and I want to send it back!! I thought the 6922 was the only tube I could use and they're were different manufacturers. Now I find that there are different variants, etc. What the hell is a "tough" tube? Not even sure where to start. I just wanted to hit the power button and listen. Now I'll probably spend every moment wondering if I have the right tube or not. Geeesh! Thanks, though to everybody for trying to help. I guess I have a LOT of learning to do!! Happy Listening.

RE: Newbie question....6922 tubes...., posted on May 28, 2017 at 19:11:46
airtime Audiophile Posts: 11287 Location: Arizona Joined: February 4, 2003	I'm using a Gold Lion 6922 in my Conrad Johnson. And that preamp beats the snot out of tubes. Usually a EH lasts about 6-9 months in my CJ. The GL so far has been in there about 18+ months and still going strong.

RE: Newbie question....6922 tubes...., posted on May 28, 2017 at 19:54:44
krankkall Audiophile Posts: 296 Location: New Mexico Joined: April 5, 2014	I've had good luck with NOS Matsushita 6922 tubes. Steve

RE: Newbie question....6922 tubes...., posted on May 28, 2017 at 20:14:44

The Dill
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Posts: 2199
Location: Portland, Oregon
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Contributor
Since: February 3, 2016

I agree with Steve about Matsushita tubes. I am currently using a matched pair of Matsushita-National 7DJ8 tubes made in Japan. Reminds me of NOS Mullard 6922's at a fraction of the cost.

http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649352753-matsushitanatio

Then there's NOS Russian variants :), posted on May 28, 2017 at 21:28:16
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37666 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	Like the 6H23P which is highly regarded. I bought a couple off EBay for my DAC.

RE: OH MY GOD, what did I get myself into??!!!!!, posted on May 28, 2017 at 22:48:24

Eli Duttman
Audiophile

Posts: 10455
Location: Monroe Township, NJ
Joined: March 31, 2000

Pushing the power button, settling back, and listening is EXACTLY what you should do.

Take plenty of time to find out what you like and what you don't. The EH 6922 the unit comes with is far from junk. However, depending on what choices the designer made, it may be possible to "roll" (read swap) tubes and tweak the sound. If the designer, as (IMO most unfortunately) many do, chose electrically severe operating conditions, your wiggle room is highly limited. The EH variant is (electrically) very durable.

There is no absolute best tube, in any type. What is known is a list of well performing variants that can be tried to yield maximum synergy in any given "rig". The list of variables includes, but is not limited to, speakers, sources, venue, listener ears, and personal preferences.

Dutch electronics giant, Philips, introduced a family of tubes with very similar characteristics, but different ratings for the severity of electrical conditions they can be used under. FWIW, you have the 6DJ8/ECC88, 6922/E88CC, and 7308/E188CC, which are (in ascending order) increasingly "tough".

Eli D.

RE: Newbie question....6922 tubes...., posted on May 28, 2017 at 22:49:36
Eli Duttman Audiophile Posts: 10455 Location: Monroe Township, NJ Joined: March 31, 2000	They should remind you of Mullards. Matsushita acquired tooling from Mullard. Eli D.

Then there's the Nos 70's vintage Foton 6N23P-EVs (nt), posted on May 28, 2017 at 23:28:58
twystd Audiophile Posts: 2723 Location: Austin,Texas Joined: December 9, 2000	twystd

RE: Newbie question....6922 tubes...., posted on May 28, 2017 at 23:58:04
hifipaul Audiophile Posts: 735 Location: NY Joined: December 22, 2008	In my experience, the Holland made 6922/6DJ8/7308/ECC88 tubes were the best sounding. The really good versions of each are costly, though good deals can be found. The market is slow now, thus the possibility of getting better prices is higher.

RE: Newbie question....6922 tubes...., posted on May 29, 2017 at 04:14:27
bradluke0 Audiophile Posts: 151 Location: cental fl Joined: February 14, 2010	Unfortunately IMHO you are not getting good advice here . The tubes that come in the amp could very well be the best tubes for YOUR system . Tube rolling is great if you want to change the sound a bit . For example , if your system is a bit bright a Telefunken smooth plate may be welcome . I would put many hours on my new amp before I started chasing my tail . Good luck .

RE: Newbie question....6922 tubes...., posted on May 29, 2017 at 12:38:26
Triode_Kingdom Audiophile Posts: 10049 Location: Central Texas Joined: September 24, 2006	Not only Matsushita, all the Japanese companies seem to have been truly meticulous about the quality and detail of tube manufacturing. I discovered this years ago. Apparently, many others did too. I can't afford them now. :(

RE: Newbie question....6922 tubes...., posted on May 29, 2017 at 14:09:12
2con Audiophile Posts: 77 Location: lombardia Joined: February 12, 2003	What is the model of your c-j preamp? In my Pr 17 i found 6922 eh better than Gl 6922 RI

RE: Newbie question....6922 tubes...., posted on May 29, 2017 at 15:44:09
airtime Audiophile Posts: 11287 Location: Arizona Joined: February 4, 2003	CJ Classic 2SE

RE: Thank you....., posted on May 29, 2017 at 17:23:34
Mechans Audiophile Posts: 1804 Location: East Coast Joined: May 23, 2004	I would be remiss if I didn't mention my favorite. I have no idea how long it will survive in your amp but I offer this alternative, the Mullard CV -2493. A somewhat rare British tube,that is by no means mellow, or warm despite what Brent Jesse has to say about them. If you want mellow go with Gold Lion

6ES8 - Too Nonlinear?, posted on May 29, 2017 at 19:06:14
Triode_Kingdom Audiophile Posts: 10049 Location: Central Texas Joined: September 24, 2006	This looks like a good sub at first glance. Is distortion as bad as the curves suggest?

RE: 6ES8 - Too Nonlinear?, posted on May 29, 2017 at 20:51:03
Eli Duttman Audiophile Posts: 10455 Location: Monroe Township, NJ Joined: March 31, 2000	The 6ES8/ECC189 is way too non-linear for line level service. You might be OK in a phono preamp. The type contains varying pitch grid helices. That is an obvious nod to AGC, in TV tuner service. Eli D.

RE: 6ES8 - Too Nonlinear?, posted on May 29, 2017 at 21:00:29
Tre' Industry Professional Posts: 17305 Location: So. Cal. Joined: February 9, 2002	80 volts @ 20ma with a horizontal load line doesn't look too bad. Tre' Have Fun and Enjoy the Music "Still Working the Problem"

RE: The best I've tried..., posted on May 31, 2017 at 00:03:07
DannyR Audiophile Posts: 611 Joined: January 21, 2001	I had a good amount of those when I had stuff that used 6922 types. I actually felt that the JJ's came very close to em in sound believe it or not.

RE: OH MY GOD, what did I get myself into??!!!!!, posted on May 31, 2017 at 13:30:29
2con Audiophile Posts: 77 Location: lombardia Joined: February 12, 2003	+1 If 6922 eh were made in the past ,they will be highly regarded now. Stay with manifacturer tubes and enjoy music :on a long term and listennig music you are accustomed with ,you will know if you like your amp or not . tubes can make difference ,but don't make gold from iron

RE: +2 (nt), posted on June 2, 2017 at 09:26:50
Vinyl Valet Audiophile Posts: 1346 Location: Tempe, Arizona Joined: November 13, 2003	nt Open up your mind, in pours the trash. - Meat Puppets, 1987

RE: The best I've tried..., posted on June 2, 2017 at 09:32:08
Vinyl Valet Audiophile Posts: 1346 Location: Tempe, Arizona Joined: November 13, 2003	I have both and also prefer the JJ. The Tungsram is a much more rugged tube though. Open up your mind, in pours the trash. - Meat Puppets, 1987

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Newbie question....6922 tubes....

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