Which preamps use 6922/6DJ8 tubes?

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.

@mulveling 

Good catch! My sincere apologies to OP (and everyone else) for not checking info before posting. That's on me, as I've had to fact check this thing a couple of times; so I should've known better. Thanks for your contributions to the audio community.

Happy Listening!

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.

having owned an et-5 for several years, i can attest it uses a single 6dj8 tube... each channel runs through one of its dual internal triodes

yes it uses only one tube -- but that tube needs to be balanced and quite strong as the heater voltage applied is 6.3v, so on the high limit of the tube’s use rating - so owners of these et5’s and successor et7 and et7-2 (which i currently have) are best off using 7dj8 equivalents... many owners have been (negatively) surprised that these linestages often experience noisy tubes after only 4-6-8 months of running a fine, expensive nos 6dj8 tube

6922 is a great tube for line stages - better than 12AX7 / 12AT7 / 12AU7 imo.

This statement is inaccurate.

The 6922, 6DJ8 and other frame grid triodes are not intended for audio. They are quite linear, which has been the attraction, but they are prone to microphonics, since audio was never the intention in their design.

I found that once I eliminated these tubes from my system, it sounded better- smoother and more relaxed, with no loss of detail.