What's with BAT?

Hello, slaw- Generally speaking, it seems most that use the term, "musical", are referring to tubes that add warmth to their system. Siemens won’t. The early to mid 60’s, grey shield, internally date coded, CCa is a very neutral/clean tube, with beautiful extension(in both directions) and great sound stage. The later ones(CCa’s), with the silver shield, can be kinda zingy on top(for my tastes), but- most everything else is still there. Mullard and Ediswan made 7308/E188CC tubes that will probably fulfill your desires/tastes, if you’re looking for warmth.  Amperex, a bit less warmth than those two.  Just be certain to ask for tubes graded, "low noise". I bought a number of excellent Siemens tubes(mostly E188CC & CCa) from this guy, back when he had them: (http://www.ebay.com/usr/audiotubes_de?_trksid=p2053788.m1543.l2754) I haven’t bought any nine-pins in a few years(thankfully, given the current price of my preferences) and can’t find a link to the other sellers. One was in Argentina and it took the package of CCa’s 6 weeks to get to me. Yeah, I was sweating! Upscale Audio tests and grades their tubes for noise and a plethora of other parameters. (https://www.upscaleaudio.com/collections/preamp-tubes/6922-6dj8-7308-pcc88)

rodman99999,

Thanks for your response. Maybe instead of "musical" I should have said expressive?
Your response included a lot of useful info. I've used Upscale Audio in the past.
Thank you.

  Here's hoping it helps, somehow.  Happy listening! 

rib61,

Apologies if I've taken your thread in another direction. Since the 6922s were mentioned here, I thought this may be of some interest.

rodman99999,

I purchased some tubes second hand through a member here who bought them through Andy's Vintage Tube Service. His site seems to offer more initial info and the prices are somewhat lower than Upscale Audio. The tubes I bought are very good, still in use in the unit I installed then in.

Recently purchase a new BAT VK 33 and do have 6922.
I bought this unit because it does not carry the super tube 6H30 DR.
Allows me to try a large slew of 6922/6dj8.
In my system the Pope PCC88 sounds the best followed by the Amperex 6dj8.