6922 recommendations for ARC PH7


Hi folks,

Looking to roll the tubes in my Audio Research PH7 phono pre. Looking for a recommendation for a 6299 that will extend the top end, midrange and give me a little more airiness without sacrificing the bottom end (Sorta what we are all looking for right lol) 

the  tubes I’m currently using are 4 Electro-Harmonix which sound good but they are a little laid back on the top. Very neutral sound which is a good thing, but want to try something new. My main room is not a very lively room as it is. However after testing the ARC in my living room system which is much more lively room I still am not getting the result I’m after. Dont get me wrong. Not complaining about the sound of the pre at all. I have been wanting to roll the tubes in this piece for some time now if not more than to just experiment with. Just got the itch to try something new. 
Thanks 

-Keith
barnettk
Amperex tubes manufactured in the Heerlen plant were not all the same. The PQ series were different than the Bugle Boys as were the rare pinched waist tubes.

From Brent Jessee:

E88CC / 6922 Amperex Holland made white PQ type, white label gold pins.

These have been rated by audiophiles as as good if not better than the famous Amperex, and rivalling the famed Amperex 7308 white label tubes! Most are Philips SQ or Amperex PQ labels. Some are labelled for Mullard, Philips, Dario, RTC, Valvo or other brands, but all have the Philips Heerlen Holland factory code.

Holland tubes marked with the Bugle Boy logo were 6DJ8 type, no gold pins. Later 6DJ8 production tubes with white or orange labels were the same tooling as the Bugle Boy. 

Bugle Boys from Holland were the same tube as the Philips Mini Watt.
An Amperex PQ 6DJ8, 6922, 7308 were the same tube measured to the same tolerances as a Philips SQ.


@barnettk, yes they used the same tooling in manufacturing, but they have sonic differences as all Philips tubes made around the world. When having the chance make the comparison yourself, you may find that you prefer more one from another, but as i said they are both good tubes, so you cannot go wrong with either of them. Upscale is doing a very good job and you do not have to change vendor since you are pleased with them, i would not do it either.
Happy tube hunting.



Upscale sells tubes of the highest quality. My go to sellers are Brent Jessee and Andy at Vintage Tube Services. They sell high grade tubes and offer a return policy, which is great for a tube roller such as myself.


Well done, the Philips are very close to top of the hill!
Good that you will first do the PSU/rectifier before you do more rolling, especially because rolling rectifiers is another adventure! 
I wouldn't worry about Siemens, I don't believe they can beat what you have in an ARC phonostage. Maybe if we were talking DACs or a Preamp that handles a digital source. 
Yes the Teles are better than Philips in an ARC phono but also sound slightly cooler which you might not like.