Recommendations: Very, very quiet 6922

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LL21

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I have a CJ GAT which I absolutely love. The stock EH 6922s got noisy fast...twice. I picked up some Amperex US PQ White Labels which sounded amazing and were quiet...for a while. I then picked up a pair of Mullard ECC88...surprisingly hard sounding...could not get it soften up over time until I used them with an EAT Tube damper. Now I have been using them for nearly 2 years. Mainly because the EAT tube dampers somehow manage to get them to be so linear without the hardness, that they are much closer to the Amperex...and are much quieter. That said, are there other tubes people recommend? Or is just a matter of 'finding the right pair'? Note, my system isolation and the Tripoint Troy SE have really lowered my noise floor...not to mention the fact that I've got 31db and 25db of gain in the amp and preamp...and 95db speakers. I feel quite fortunate that I hear hiss within only 3 inches of the tweeters. Nevertheless, I am wondering if there are quieter tubes...note that when I first put tubes in, the hiss can only be heard within 1 inch...but over a month, it starts to go back to 3-5 inches. Thanks for any advice!!!
 
In my previous GAT, I tried the Gold Lion tubes with great success. Ray who has my first GAT is continuing to use them and I think he has tried others but is back to the Gold Lions.
 
Thanks! I think you might have said this before...sorry, I honestly forgot. I was looking into Siemens CCA and Mazdas. But I will also look into Gold Lions..where do you buy them?
 
You can also look for some 7308 tubes, which are even a higher grade than the 6922 and fully compatible. To get ultra low noise you may have to pay extra to get specially selected tubes. CCAs are really nice also, but I've found many examples to be noisy unless you get them specially selected.
 
audio.bill said:
You can also look for some 7308 tubes, which are even a higher grade than the 6922 and fully compatible. To get ultra low noise you may have to pay extra to get specially selected tubes. CCAs are really nice also, but I've found many examples to be noisy unless you get them specially selected.
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Thanks...that is good to know...come to think of it, I have read that but it did not occur to me. Mainly that's because I thought that 7308 had slightly higher voltage draw, and one needed to check that the equipment was setup for this. With Zanden, that is certainly the case...the older DACs could only do 6922...and then the Signature version could accept both tubes. Zanden apparently advises against using 7308 with their older DACs. This was from a review by Marc Michelson of the Zanden Signature DAC from years ago which i have. Guess I should ask CJ first?
 
In my own case, as Joe mentioned, I've settled on the Gold Lions.

I nearly drove myself crazy on the tube-swapping-train. I must have experimented with at least half dozen other 6922 types.

My favorite sounding were NOS Mullards, which I seldom got more than a couple months out of...Ouch. In the end, the Gold Lions are nearly as good sounding, and, I don't have to spend $400+ every few months on new Mullards. I also liked the EAT 6922s. Again, expensive, and good for a few months only in my case.

Good Luck!
 
I have found that the Russian Rocket Logo 6922's are a damn fine tube that does not have NOS prices, and it is even better after cryoing. It's no Amperex, but it is quiet and it is spacious and it is extended.

Certainly worth a shot for the relatively small cost on e-bay, or you could go to Ultimate Audio and pay for them there at a markup.
 
LL21 said:
Thanks Joe. Did you see the 3 customer reviews of the tube in your link? Just curious if you had any thoughts about them.
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Hi Lloyd,

I did see the reviews and was considering not linking to the store. Since I have personal experience with GL tubes in everything from the GAT and Mcintosh preamps and other gear, I've never had problems. Sure there are better sounding tubes but at what price and long term reliability suffers. My Gold Lion tube experience has been rock solid.
 
Rayooo said:
In my own case, as Joe mentioned, I've settled on the Gold Lions.

I nearly drove myself crazy on the tube-swapping-train. I must have experimented with at least half dozen other 6922 types.

My favorite sounding were NOS Mullards, which I seldom got more than a couple months out of...Ouch. In the end, the Gold Lions are nearly as good sounding, and, I don't have to spend $400+ every few months on new Mullards. I also liked the EAT 6922s. Again, expensive, and good for a few months only in my case.

Good Luck!
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Thank you! My local dealer came over to hear the Tripoint Troy SE after it has settled in over the last 2 weeks or so. I asked him about tubes, and when he heard mine, he said with the gain I have, they are super-quiet...leave it was his recommendation. I guess with all the noise floor lowering, I've been spoiled. 3 inches from the tweeter is too much hiss...when in truth, in the context of music, a living room, it is for all intents and purposes silent. nevertheless, I will keep all recommendations noted here, so when I get the next pair, I can try something out. thanks again.
 
I'd recommend the EAT ECC88.
They come with the above-mentioned cool damper fitted.
I've used their ECC803 and KT88 in a Mac MA2275 and found them both excellent.
Settled on the EAT KT88 after (new version) Genalex Gold Lion and Shuguang Black Treasure.
All their tubes are rated long-life (10,000hrs?).
'Nuff said? :coolyeah:
 
Rusty48 said:
I'd recommend the EAT ECC88.
They come with the above-mentioned cool damper fitted.
I've used their ECC803 and KT88 in a Mac MA2275 and found them both excellent.
Settled on the EAT KT88 after (new version) Genalex Gold Lion and Shuguang Black Treasure.
All their tubes are rated long-life (10,000hrs?).
'Nuff said? :coolyeah:
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Thanks! Will inquire here from the distributor whom I know well.
 
LL21 said:
I have a CJ GAT which I absolutely love. The stock EH 6922s got noisy fast...twice. I picked up some Amperex US PQ White Labels which sounded amazing and were quiet...for a while. I then picked up a pair of Mullard ECC88...surprisingly hard sounding...could not get it soften up over time until I used them with an EAT Tube damper. Now I have been using them for nearly 2 years. Mainly because the EAT tube dampers somehow manage to get them to be so linear without the hardness, that they are much closer to the Amperex...and are much quieter. That said, are there other tubes people recommend? Or is just a matter of 'finding the right pair'? Note, my system isolation and the Tripoint Troy SE have really lowered my noise floor...not to mention the fact that I've got 31db and 25db of gain in the amp and preamp...and 95db speakers. I feel quite fortunate that I hear hiss within only 3 inches of the tweeters. Nevertheless, I am wondering if there are quieter tubes...note that when I first put tubes in, the hiss can only be heard within 1 inch...but over a month, it starts to go back to 3-5 inches. Thanks for any advice!!!
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Hi Lloyd,

I've not had a chance to hear the latest versions of the CJ preamps, but given that it only uses 2 of the 6922 tubes, then usually the character of the sound is heavily influenced by those tubes (similiar to my Absolare preamp which uses 2 12AU7 tubes). If you liked the sound of the Amperex tubes that I would suggest giving a pair of Valvo 6922 tubes a try. Both Amperex and Valvo were owned by Philips. I have had a chance to do some comparisons of various Mullard 12au7/ECC82 NOS tubes to Valvo 12AU7/ECC82 in both the Absolare preamp as well as compare Mullard 12AT7/6201 gold pin tubes to Valvo 12AT7/6201 gold pin tubes as the input tubes in my amps. The differences in either application were basically the same. The Mullards tend to be a little warmer in the midrange and less extended at the frequency extremes while the Valvos are more even handed across the the frequency spectrum with better extension at the extremes with a more open and airier sound in the upper frequencies. The Valvo's also have better resolution and transparency. The specific Valvo 6922's that I would recommend are those that have been manufactured in the Hamburg, West Germany plant. This is usually indicated by the letter "D" on the tube as the manufacturing location. Here is a link to an Ebay add for the specific tubes that I would try. Also I have purchased some tubes from this seller and he is very reliable (at least for me). Of course, this is always personal preference as to what sounds good to any individual as well as system dependent but I have enjoyed the various Valvo Hamburg tubes that I have tried and I am currently using them.

1960s Valvo E88CC 6922 Gold Pin Pair Amplitrex Tested Museum Certified "BWB" | eBay
 
babybear said:
Hi Lloyd,

I've not had a chance to hear the latest versions of the CJ preamps, but given that it only uses 2 of the 6922 tubes, then usually the character of the sound is heavily influenced by those tubes (similiar to my Absolare preamp which uses 2 12AU7 tubes). If you liked the sound of the Amperex tubes that I would suggest giving a pair of Valvo 6922 tubes a try. Both Amperex and Valvo were owned by Philips. I have had a chance to do some comparisons of various Mullard 12au7/ECC82 NOS tubes to Valvo 12AU7/ECC82 in both the Absolare preamp as well as compare Mullard 12AT7/6201 gold pin tubes to Valvo 12AT7/6201 gold pin tubes as the input tubes in my amps. The differences in either application were basically the same. The Mullards tend to be a little warmer in the midrange and less extended at the frequency extremes while the Valvos are more even handed across the the frequency spectrum with better extension at the extremes with a more open and airier sound in the upper frequencies. The Valvo's also have better resolution and transparency. The specific Valvo 6922's that I would recommend are those that have been manufactured in the Hamburg, West Germany plant. This is usually indicated by the letter "D" on the tube as the manufacturing location. Here is a link to an Ebay add for the specific tubes that I would try. Also I have purchased some tubes from this seller and he is very reliable (at least for me). Of course, this is always personal preference as to what sounds good to any individual as well as system dependent but I have enjoyed the various Valvo Hamburg tubes that I have tried and I am currently using them.

1960s Valvo E88CC 6922 Gold Pin Pair Amplitrex Tested Museum Certified "BWB" | eBay
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Great stuff, Arnie. thank you...I have gone to the link. Very interested. Have you compared Valvo to Amperex before, which is my main other reference? (I have heard Jan Phillips, EH, Sovtek as well.) I also have been suggested to try Siemans CCA. Thanks for any guidance on this. While this may be impractical...I am really trying to pick 'one pair' and see how close I can get to 'the one' for me. Super quiet is almost more important at this stage given my gain...but in truth, if it remains liquid, added extension as you describe could be a lot of fun. Thanks for guidance as always!
 
LL21 said:
Great stuff, Arnie. thank you...I have gone to the link. Very interested. Have you compared Valvo to Amperex before, which is my main other reference? (I have heard Jan Phillips, EH, Sovtek as well.) I also have been suggested to try Siemans CCA. Thanks for any guidance on this. While this may be impractical...I am really trying to pick 'one pair' and see how close I can get to 'the one' for me. Super quiet is almost more important at this stage given my gain...but in truth, if it remains liquid, added extension as you describe could be a lot of fun. Thanks for guidance as always!
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Hi Lloyd,

I have used a pair of Amperex branded 12AT7/6201 gold pin tubes in my amps. These were manufactured in the Hamburg, West Germany plant. In comparing them to Valvo branded 6201 gold pins also manufactured in the Hamburg, West Germany plant the sonics are very similiar. Especially since both were owned by Philips and manufactured in the same Hamburg plant. If the the Amperex tubes that you were using were manufactured at another Philips owned plant, the sonics may be different. Some of the best sounding tubes that i have heard have been manufactured at the Hamburg location. I think Siemens tubes are very good depending on their application. Sometimes, depending on which tube, they can tend toward the more analytical sound. EH and Sovtek won't be in the sonic league of the Valvos, Mullard, Amperex, etc.
 
babybear said:
Hi Lloyd,

I have used a pair of Amperex branded 12AT7/6201 gold pin tubes in my amps. These were manufactured in the Hamburg, West Germany plant. In comparing them to Valvo branded 6201 gold pins also manufactured in the Hamburg, West Germany plant the sonics are very similiar. Especially since both were owned by Philips and manufactured in the same Hamburg plant. If the the Amperex tubes that you were using were manufactured at another Philips owned plant, the sonics may be different. Some of the best sounding tubes that i have heard have been manufactured at the Hamburg location. I think Siemens tubes are very good depending on their application. Sometimes, depending on which tube, they can tend toward the more analytical sound. EH and Sovtek won't be in the sonic league of the Valvos, Mullard, Amperex, etc.
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Thanks! I concur with your last statement in my own experience to date. Will look into the Valvos.
 
Hi All, I have done some more reading up...sounds like while my Amperex 6922s (long my favourite) are great...some have said they may not hold up as well under certain harder equipment...and hence why I may be getting fewer hours out of them before they go noisy. So someone has suggested Telefunken 6922s...I know Myles Astor (also owns GAT) really likes them and has long recommended them...he has just ordered a pair of EATs to compare. Any other thoughts are appreciated!
 
I use early 1960's original Telefunken EC88's in some of my gear and they sound better (cleaner, more dynamic with good air and TP) than my vintage holland made amperex non aframe and A frame tubes.
 
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