Driver Tubes 6922

I have had a few experiences of being demo's 6922/E88CC Tubes, as a result of being loaned valves for a using for Tube Rolling sessions.

All Loaned Tubes were tested, and perfectly matched as pairs.

All loaned Tubes were ranging from a production era from early 1960's - mid 70's.

There were Brands on offer from Mainland Europe, UK and USA.

In my Phonostage and DAC the Amperex Bugle Boy (I recall Orange Print) was a no go for myself and others who were present, the intensity of the high frequencies was too much for the ears to settle with.

As conjecture only, a overwhelmingly Bass orientated presentation might just come out with these as a viable choice to add a noticeable impact on the balancing  across the frequencies.

Other Tubes used as comparisons were much more of a 'what's your poison' experience.

My Phon's has selected for use, early 60's UK Tubes and the DAC has early 60's German Tubes as the selected type.  

All,

In my last post I meant to say "New York OR Heerlen Holland plants". Also in some Amperex tubes, the tube printing is smeared or even partially wiped off and that is not abnormal. The printing is easily damaged during normal handling.

Tonydennison, I did not mean to imply that you were overly concerned, I meant more to indicate that there were suppliers that do stand behind their product

Pindac, your findings agree with what I have found, that the Orange labeled tubes were not as good as the white label gold pins, and certainly not up to the quality of the SQ or PQ tubes 6922 or 7308. I could not find my listening notes, and I can't recall specific details that I made for those tubes.....just going off of memory there.

Best to you all

@vthokie83

”There are dozens of versions of the 12AU7/6DJ8 family…”

these are very different families not compatible for a gathering…one is 12v the other 6v to begin with..Also, the op does not discuss or use 12au7??

tksteingrabe,

Yes you are correct, I should have written "12AU7/6DJ8 families"....did not mean to confuse

I have come to accept the labeling of used tubes as NOS although I think a better term would be Reclaimed Tubes.

All current manufacturers, at least the ones I have used should be utterly ashamed at their ineptness, apathy, ignorance, or whatever it is that makes them seemingly unable to make a tube properly. And I never knew what I was missing.

The 1.5 minutes of listening to Black Plate RCA’s and Mullards in my system (even when one of the tubes was dying at the time) showed me that modern manufactures are embarrassingly inadequate. There is absolutely no comparison.

The current state of world is so pathetic.

Anyway, I have been in further contact with Brent and he will send me a replacement.

Have a great day everyone.