Vali 2 tube rolling
Jan 8, 2016 at 10:49 PM Post #16 of 6,437
Any thoughts on the EH 6922? I just ordered one for my V2. I know it's a big time input/gain tube for a lot of the upper echelon stereo preamplifiers out there(ARC, BAT, MCINTOSH etc.)



I just received my 6CG7 EH from Tube Depot today.  I've only got about 3 hrs on it so far but it's not sounding anywhere near like the 6922 EH.  I have a post in the main thread on the 6922 EH.  I'll give the 6CG7 some more time to break-in but it's got a long way to go equal the 6922 EH. I don't have much faith it's gonna make it.  The difference is great and easily apparent as it stands right now.

Oh,,, and I'm so smitten with the Electro-Harmonix 6922 EH, I've ordered another one from a different supplier just to see if the one I have just happens to be something special or what!   I'll let y'all know that too.
 
Jan 8, 2016 at 11:33 PM Post #17 of 6,437
For those who might need some reference material for tubes that are specific for the Vali 2: http://www.upscaleaudio.com/6922/ 
 
Hope this helps others, as it was a good starting point for me.
 
Jan 9, 2016 at 4:17 AM Post #19 of 6,437
Another good source of info on the different gradings within the 6DJ8 family of tubes. Especially helpful for the folks like me that are new to the fine art of tube rollin'. Not the best of layouts for a webpage considering we are in the 2010's, but very helpful info ...
 
http://www.audiotubes.com/6dj8.htm
 
And here is my stock tube: A "made in USA" Sylvania GD ... Markings state "W EZA" (probably 6EZA) no further indications ...
 

 
I'd not call it a neutral tube, It seems to add some coloration to the very neutral characteristics of my Beyerdynamic T90. Slightly towards a more grainy, but still airy sound. It does very well for any music with grungy guitars, also doing very good with electronica, not so good with classical music.
 
I'd like to try some Mullard tubes, just to get an impression on "real tube sound". Mullards are said to have a very "thick" sound, for most people too much, but it might do well for the treble(ish) T90's.
 
Jan 9, 2016 at 4:33 PM Post #23 of 6,437
I order an extra tube with my Vali 2, both are Sylvania 6BQ7A made in the USA. Not too bad sounding but a little thin in the treble. it's my first tube amp so maybe I'm still too SS burned-in. I stopped in at The Tube Depot in Hamilton, Ontario and asked if they had a tube that retained the nice bass of the sock tube but with a bit more treble clarity. They recommended the JJE88CC. Perfect recommendation. Ran it in for about 17 hours and it sounds awesome.
 
Jan 9, 2016 at 8:06 PM Post #24 of 6,437
 
 
  I just received my 6CG7 EH from Tube Depot today.  I've only got about 3 hrs on it so far but it's not sounding anywhere near like the 6922 EH.  I have a post in the main thread on the 6922 EH.  I'll give the 6CG7 some more time to break-in but it's got a long way to go equal the 6922 EH. I don't have much faith it's gonna make it.  The difference is great and easily apparent as it stands right now.
 
I also have a JJ 6922.  It doesn't have much time on it.  I was pretty much underwhelmed when I tried it.  It was bland sounding.  I'll have to put some more break-in time on it, but it's last in the queue.
 
And I have the stock tube.  Mine is an ITT 6BQ7A (Japan)  I have a great idea for that one.  A hammer.
Ok, that might be a little extreme, but I don't like the one that came with mine.
 
I'll give some kind of a comparison post sometime later when I've had more time with em.
 
Oh,,, and I'm so smitten with the Electro-Harmonix 6922 EH, I've ordered another one from a different supplier just to see if the one I have just happens to be something special or what!   I'll let y'all know that too.

 
I'm quoting myself here.
 
Well guys, I'm not sure how to word this.  But, I received my second 6922 EH earlier today.  I had stuff to do so I plugged er in and let it play for ~5hs for a little burn-in.  This second tube came from Tube Depot.  I ticked the balanced output and low noise boxes that added $6 to the price.  The first tube that I have been praising came from......... Amazon. 
rolleyes.gif
  I didn't want to wait so that's why I got it from there.  I'm thinking you get what you get when ordering from there.
 
After disclosing that, what do you think I'm going to say........
 
The new tube from TD has the same, recognizable, sound like the first one has, but, it falls short.  That first tube I got from Amazon does appear to be special.  No wonder I've been so gaga over it.  It is crystal clear and spacious with deep luscious bass.  Very natural tonal wise also.  Slightly binaural sounding in its presentation.  Lush.  I could go on. The TD one is just not quite all the way there.
 
The second one from TD is still the second best sounding tube I have.  Just to refresh, I have..
 
ITT 6BQ7A (Japan)  - Stock tube - Too aggressive for my tastes _ alters the tone
JJ 6922  (JJ ElectronICs)   A bit soft sounding & unengaging
6GC7 (Electro-Harmonix)   Pleasant sounding.. not bad
6922 EH (Electro-Harmonix)  (two)  My favorites
 
So, I still recommend the 6922 EH.  I know there's a lot more out there to roll.  Specifically, the 6DJ8 is intriguing. 
 
So, if anyone tries the 6922 EH, I'd love to hear what you think. Everybody probably for that matter.
 
So, get to rollin' guys...  me, I'm headed back for some more tunes. 
smily_headphones1.gif
 
 
 
 
 
Jan 9, 2016 at 8:22 PM Post #25 of 6,437
   
 
 
I'm quoting myself here.
 
.
.
.
 
So, I still recommend the 6922 EH.  I know there's a lot more out there to roll.  Specifically, the 6DJ8 is intriguing. 
 
So, if anyone tries the 6922 EH, I'd love to hear what you think. Everybody probably for that matter.
 
So, get to rollin' guys...  me, I'm headed back for some more tunes. 
smily_headphones1.gif
 
 

I too am trying to verify a particular tube I like (a 6CG7 in my case), bought very randomly and cheaply. And per your excitement 
rolleyes.gif

I ordered 6922 EH (Electro-Harmonix). I'll be certain to tell you how it sounds when it arrives. And I did not order from either Amazon or Tube Depot 
wink.gif

 
Jan 9, 2016 at 9:57 PM Post #26 of 6,437
 


 



I'm quoting myself here.

Well guys, I'm not sure how to word this.  But, I received my second 6922 EH earlier today.  I had stuff to do so I plugged er in and let it play for ~5hs for a little burn-in.  This second tube came from Tube Depot.  I ticked the balanced output and low noise boxes that added $6 to the price.  The first tube that I have been praising came from......... Amazon. :rolleyes:   I didn't want to wait so that's why I got it from there.  I'm thinking you get what you get when ordering from there.

After disclosing that, what do you think I'm going to say........

The new tube from TD has the same, recognizable, sound like the first one has, but, it falls short.  That first tube I got from Amazon does appear to be special.  No wonder I've been so gaga over it.  It is crystal clear and spacious with deep luscious bass.  Very natural tonal wise also.  Slightly binaural sounding in its presentation.  Lush.  I could go on. The TD one is just not quite all the way there.

The second one from TD is still the second best sounding tube I have.  Just to refresh, I have..

ITT 6BQ7A (Japan)  - Stock tube - Too aggressive for my tastes _ alters the tone
JJ 6922  (JJ ElectronICs)   A bit soft sounding & unengaging
6GC7 (Electro-Harmonix)   Pleasant sounding.. not bad
6922 EH (Electro-Harmonix)  (two)  My favorites

So, I still recommend the 6922 EH.  I know there's a lot more out there to roll.  Specifically, the 6DJ8 is intriguing. 

So, if anyone tries the 6922 EH, I'd love to hear what you think. Everybody probably for that matter.

So, get to rollin' guys...  me, I'm headed back for some more tunes.  :)  


 
Thanks for the info. Great stuff.
 
Jan 10, 2016 at 11:40 AM Post #27 of 6,437
My stock tube is an "international ServiceMaster" from Italy. The writing is messed up where it says the tube type but it looks like jbq7a/6bz7. It says 92277 Italy on the back. It sounds very good, has really good midrange.



 
Jan 10, 2016 at 1:09 PM Post #28 of 6,437
Seems like the stock tube that came with my vali 2 has more emphasis on mids and bass but the 6CG7 EH tube has more clarity all around.
 
Jan 10, 2016 at 1:14 PM Post #29 of 6,437
My stock tube is an "international ServiceMaster" from Italy. The writing is messed up where it says the tube type but it looks like jbq7a/6bz7. It says 92277 Italy on the back. It sounds very good, has really good midrange.




Interesting, thanks. There are certainly more 6dj8 types in the market than I suspected. Going to be a fun journey.
 

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