6DJ8 vs. 6922?

Strangely enough many ECC88 sound better with more air and musicality compared to their bigger cousins like E88CC and E188CC.

i have found this to be true sometimes as well

experienced tube rollers understand that with small signal tubes, sometimes a small amount of sympathetic ringing/microphonics can add a positive character to the sound -- more air, more reverb, more depth to the soundstage - whereas a highly ruggedized military spec tube with dual or extra triple mica supports etc etc can sound ’dead’ in comparison

i have always liked the 60’s amperex bugle boys with ring getter (not a-frame) for that reason, in many cases they provide the ’goldilocks’ sound

One great thing about tubes is you can use them to fine tune your system. If your phono cartridge is a tad bright, use softer sounding tubes. And visa versa. A tube pre-amp doesn’t have a fixed sound, it’s sound is changed by the tubes installed in it.

Speaking of phono tubes: has anyone tried 5751's in place of the 12AX7's in a Herron phono amp? I gotta give Keith a call, see what he thinks of the idea. The 5751 gives up gain to the 12AX7, but that works for me.

Not in a Herron phono stage, but for what it may be worth, yes I have tried GE 5751 black plates in place of Telefunken, Siemens, Raytheon and other 12AX7’s in an EAR phono stage that I used to have. Good tube with a distinctively different character than the various 12AX7’s as a group. Needless to say each other 12AX7 had its own signature. The Tele’s being my favorites by far. The GE 5751 gave me a very tightly organized sound, somewhat “gray” tone with a little less sparkle up top. Reminded me of the way Shure phono cartridges sound to me.

This brings up something that I don’t think has been stressed enough in the otherwise great commentary above. It should not be assumed that a 6922 (or 7308, or…) will always be better than the “lowly” 6DJ8. Depends on the particular tube and the circuit that it will be used in. Based on my experience, I would take a good vintage Telefunken ECC88/6DJ8 over many other brand 6922’s and 7308’s that I have tried without hesitation.

Good luck.