Help with tube choice


I need help choosing an E88CC/6DJ8 tube for my headphones/preamp.    I know Siemens, Telefunken, etc, but I'm looking for people who use the E88CC/6DJ8 and have heard of tubes, im open to any tube, i only have a $125 budget for a pair.

 

I like a warm sound but not too warm, good bass, and magic in the midrange with a sparkle on top, don't we all want that?  Shoot me the best tubes you use in this group; there are too many to choose from, and my budget makes it difficult.

 

Thanks

128x128audiomike33

I have the Amprex gold pin, SQ, PQ’s all seem brighter in my system than the bugle boy. Valvo’s are mellower, Orange globe are brighter than white lablel amprex gold pin SQ,PQ. Bugle Boy can be a Goldilocks tube sometimes. 
 

if your preamp takes multiple 6922’s I mix and match maybe a Valvo and a PQ the Valvo can tame the PQ and give it nice balance if I’m using a silver cable.
 

Please confirm this with Brent my findings may be personal but the bugle boy has always been on of my favorites for there price and performance.

 

My amp came with the russsian gold lion gold pins 6922 there okay but lack in sound stage and can be a little bright they remind me of Telefunkens but lacking. They sounded nice at first but spending a little time with them their faults become apparent. 

+100% on Bugle Boy’s best sound for the $.  Gold pin 6922 also a good choice but a jump in price.  Owned both and sounded excellent in my DAC.  I would recommend the Russian 6922 equivalent 6n23h.  They sound even better on my DAC.  Compare them to 7308 and E188CC’s.  Have to get the Single wire getter version. Both Reflector and Voshkod sound great.  Have both. Downside is you have to order from Ukraine taking 3 weeks.  I have had good experience and cost is low enough to be low risk. I like to help them out during the awful war.  see link ‘73 1st choice. Good luck with your search!

 

Yeah I was interested in some reflector tubes they seem to get good reviews and they're not that pricey most of that stuff come from Ukraine you're right and with the war going on it just takes forever.

look at Ness Tones  he has some cheap ones that I have used around $10 each.  Worth a try before you go completely crazy.