2. amps-preamps
  3. 1082498473

Is there a worthy 6922 presently made?

Why hasn't any tube manfacturer designed a good sounding 6922 tube? The paucity of decent designs only fuels the exorbitant price gouging the tube dealers are doing with NOS 6922/6DJ8.

I think it is pretty universally accepted among tube fans that the Sovtek 6922 is a dependable & strong tube, but a sterile, thin, & dead sounding device. Some have praised the JJ 6922, while others have proclaimed it rather mediocre, and some have blown up their amplifiers, like an ARC owner who burned out parts of his VT-100's circuit board when attempting to substitute the JJ's for the stock Sovteks in the input stage.

Sovtek's owner, New Sensor, has come out with a "new" 6922 in the form of an Electroharmonix 6922, with claims it is significantly better than the Sovtek. But some have said it is nearly the identical tube and sounds nearly identical. Audio Research claims it is a better tube, but.....

Why hasn't Svetlana designed a 6922? Or someone else? We are left with two tubes made by the same manufacturer, and one from Czechoslovakia. That's it! Any thoughts or experiences?
kevziek

Showing 2 responses by newbee

newbee
4,751 posts
 
Maxgain, Now tell us what you really think! :-) Personally, I enjoy the NOS circus - especially this type: "I JUST bought a NEW XXX preamp and I want to roll tubes - what NOS tubes do you recommend". He hasn't let his pre-amp break in, doesn't know what it sounds like let alone what he wants to improve or change. To this we see a chorus of tube salesmen respond, without regard to their actual experience with his pre-amp let alone his system or his sound preferences. When I get bored reading about NOS tubes I start reading the posts on power cords that increase bass response and provide extra detail in the highs, ad infinitum, ad nausuam.

But I will say that if you know what you want and whats available to bring you there NOS is a very viable alternative, and a lot cheaper one, than buying a different piece of equipment to get you there.
newbee
4,751 posts
 
Kevziek, No one has mentioned the EI 6dj8's (perhaps because its not a good 6922 substitute). Aside from some quality control problems this is a nice new production tube. Count me in as a supporter of the JJ tubes, although I like the older Tesla grey plates somewhat better. FWIW I share your dislike for those demeaning opinions from folks who think they have the corner on intelligence for having found NOS tubes that they enjoy - they sound much like school yard bullies. I have a draw full of NOS tubes but 50% of the tubes I use are current production. Its not the tube so much as how you use it that really counts. I've still got a dozen Bugle Boys I haven't found a use for yet, maybe someday.
More to discover