Upgrading my Sovtek 6922 vacuum tubes

+1 DeKay

1974 6N23P Reflector Silver shields.
1975 6N23P Reflector Grey shields

I have not used recent production small signals tubes in anything owned/listened to for the past 20 years (with a few exceptions), so no opinion on the GL’s.

The later production Orange Globes were always one of my go to’s for the input tube in an Audion Night Silver Night 300B SET and also for a Consonance preamp that also used 6922 types.

It was a "go to" for balanced harmonically rich sound, but with more detail than some/most of my favorite Mullard types.

As you said you liked the Sovtek’s (aside from the bass) I figure that they might be what you are looking for.

They should be richer/fuller (still detailed), but with more bass bloom.

I would not recommend 7308’s for anything other than systems using FULL range speakers as they all seem to be shy of mid-bass.

When selling off my 6922 type collection (years ago) I noticed that satisfied buyers of the 7308’s all used large full range speakers (sans powered woofers and/or subs) which makes perfect sense to me.

However, they could work with a simple (non active) satellite/sub setup in which the stand mounts have a substantial mid bass bump/peak (like vintage LS3/5a’s) as they might help better blend the subs with the speakers.

I have other rec’s (my taste), but they would probably be too thick/full sounding for your taste.

What speakers are you using?

DeKay

I'm using a new pair of Decware DM945 monitor speakers with 
two REL T/5i subwoofers.

Interesting speakers as I looked @ them maybe 10 years ago, if it’s the same speaker (think around $1K/pair @ the time).

Anyway, as an affordable experiment I still hold with the Orange Globes (which are ready to buy from a reputable dealer well within your price range).

However, Brent may have other/better options if you email/contact him.

Never done business with Brent Jesse and just going by feedback from those who have.

Not keen on Kevin Deal, but this goes way back and it is of a personal nature (I have never purchased tubes from him, but attempted to purchase WE 300B’s years ago).

The Voskhod (rocket) tubes rec’d have been pretty much unattainable for the past 10 years (decent testing low noise versions), but if you can find a suitable pair you may like them.

The Mullard’s I used/enjoyed were later production 6dj8’s dimpled disc getter’s from Blackburn (I think) and dimpled disc getter ECC88’s from the Mitchum (sp?) plant.

They were saturated rich/creamy with somewhat loose bass and somewhat rolled off HF’s (awesome organic musical tubes in my gear).

Think I still have a pair of 1964 Amperex Hicksville 7308's as well as a sleeve of ecc88's (Japan), but not certain if I have any pairs of the tubes I used most (can't access them now anyway as they are buried).

DeKay