Which preamps use 6922/6DJ8 tubes?


I have some high end NOS 6922 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.

ullogu1

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.

I have gotten away from the 6922.   New production is not that great.  Old stock is drying up fast ....   

I had a CJ Classic 2 preamp, it was tough on tubes.   Only a few would last long, the Gold Lion 6922 or a Reflector 6h23n eb were the only 2 that would last.  

Unless you have a tube tester you'll never really know what you are putting in your gear.    I took a bunch of 6922 / 6dj8 and most were not as advertised,  weak or mismatched triodes.   This was more so with new production but had a few "NOS" duds.    

I have one component that still uses them , I have EH 6922 in there now .   They will at some point be replaced by Gold Lion 6922 as I think those are the best new production.  JJ are good too , but when ordering either , one should request matched triodes and matched tubes if ordering pairs.  

EAR 868, I love the sound and also have xlr input and output. 
But not every one like the shiny chrome though.

@honeyooi: Ah, another audiophile hip to EAR and the 868, one of hi-fi's best kept secrets! It's designer Tim de Paravicini uses the 7DJ8 in the 868, a slightly higher voltage variant of the 6DJ8.