Which preamps use 6922/6DJ8 tubes?

I totally get OP’s line of reasoning - don't think it's weird at all 😅

6922 is a great tube for line stages - better than 12AX7 / 12AT7 / 12AU7 imo. But if you’re looking to use valuable NOS, then you have to be wary of designs that use a LOT of matched 6922 - like older high end BAT, ARC, Sonic Frontiers units. BAT and ARC have moved onto 6H30, which is a fantastic line stage tube but without many opportunities for rolling. The lower-end Sonic Frontiers hybrid units used less tubes but IMO these aren’t worthy of holy grail 6922 (I did not like the SFL-1). I briefly had a BAT VK 5i that used a lot of 6922, and it was a pain to find quiet matched ones - not a great experience. I definitely wouldn’t stock it with holy grails.

VAC currently uses an interesting approach where they just use a single pair of 6922 in conjunction with Lundahl line transformers for I/O. That would be perfect for your use case, but most of their current preamp line is above your budget - though you might find a used Renaissance V for ~5K. VAC has used 12AX7 / 12AU7 in past preamps, so I’m not sure if they may have an older 6922 / transformer based preamp that would fit budget.

Thanks for your help. Makes sense it sounds weird but I'm not about to start buying NOS 12AX7's when there are plenty of preamps (at least I think) that use what I already have.

What ARC preamps would you recommend (that use 6922 tubes)?

LS5 (all versions), LS25 (mk1),  Ref1 (mk1), Ref2 (mk1) all these are 6922 based.

I’ve been experimenting with ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence model with a few things (audio included); so I thought it might be interesting to see what AI had to say. Heaven knows I’ve been steered in different directions based on members’ personal preferences/priorities, which may or may not have matched my own.

@ullogu1 ’s question was posed verbatim. Here’s another perspective based purely on logic and available information:

I have some high end NOS 6922/6DJ8 tubes and am looking to change preamps. What do you recommend for a preamp, somewhere in the $2000-$4000 range (used is good too) that uses these tubes. My power amp is an Accuphase A47 class A power amp. Thanks for your help.

As a language model, I don’t have personal preferences or experiences, but I can suggest some options for a preamp that uses 6922/6DJ8 tubes in the price range you mentioned:

1. Audio Research LS28SE: This preamp uses a pair of 6H30 tubes for its gain stage, but it also has a 6922 tube in the output stage. The LS28SE is a highly regarded preamp with excellent build quality and sound performance.

2. PrimaLuna EVO 400: This preamp uses four 6922 tubes and has received many positive reviews for its warm and dynamic sound signature. It also features a headphone amplifier and an MM/MC phono stage.

3. VTL TL-6.5 Series II: This preamp is well-known for its transparency and natural sound. It uses four 6922 tubes and has a fully balanced design with two sets of XLR outputs.

4. Conrad-Johnson ET5: This preamp uses two 6922 tubes and has a minimalist design with a high-quality volume control. It has received many positive reviews for its musicality and detail.

5. Cary Audio SLP-05: This preamp uses four 6922 tubes and has a fully balanced design. It also features a headphone amplifier and an optional phono stage. The SLP-05 has received many positive reviews for its detailed and spacious soundstage.

Ultimately, the best preamp for you will depend on your personal preferences and the synergy with your Accuphase A47 power amp. It may be helpful to listen to several options in person or to consult with an audio expert for further advice.

@strateahed

That’s funny how the AI text is pretty well written and seems confident, however it is totally wrong on the tube complements! Most of those cited units don’t use any 6922 at all. The ET-5 appears to use a single 6922, and yet the AI confidently states this as a pair. OP should be aware none of the other preamps in the list use any 6922.