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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
petg60
1,486 posts
 
@barnettk, you will be amazed of the sound difference between a Holland E88CC and a 6922 USA, same year, both made with sane tooling.
For sure both are good tubes but my preference are the Dutch ones for a single reason. They do not become noisy so quickly compared to their USA cousins. 
@jjss49 i totally agree that tubes are not created equally and testing is required for all these old tubes.
barnettk OP
410 posts
 
@petg60
according to Kevin Deal they are the same components and they sound the same just assembled in different factories. I trust Kevin. Not saying I disagree with you on anything you said. In regards to testing Upscale audio does test each tube before its released and they provide you with the conductance value for each Triode, and they test them for noise. These are very quiet at least to my ears, and they sound amazing. Also I have only dealt with Upscale for all my tubes and I trust them as stated so for me buying them from anyone else that I dont know is out of the question at least until my experience changes. Im sure that there are other places to buy from but I kinda tend to stick with the relationships I have already forged.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
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.


petg60
1,486 posts
 
@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.



lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
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.


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