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I thought I'd reprise my early post on this subject after evaluating my latest acquisition, the vintage Amperex.As before my system consists of:
FLAC/ALAC on my NAS ==> Windons 10 & Foobar2000 ==> Topping D90 DAC ==> Sonic Frontiers Line 1 preamp ==>
VTV Purifi power amp ==> Zaph Audio ZRT speakers.These components, including the preamp, are what some might call "analytic", so that's the way it is.
Personally I perceive tube characteristics as (a) layered or 'holographic' imaging (b) smooth versus bright, etched or harsh highs, (c) warm, full-body upper base/lower midrange. Conversely there is likely to be some loss of extension, detail and tightness of bass.
These are the six tubes I listened to in decreasing order of "tubeyness":
- Amperex 6922 'PQ' USA white label (vintage) -- most holographic; distinctly full-bodied
- JJ E88CC/6922 gold pin (new)
- Electro-Harmonix 6922 Gold (new)
- Genalex Gold Lion E88CC/6922 (new) -- fairly holographic & smooth but good detail & tight bass
- Reflector 6H23P-EB/6922 (10-15 y/o) -- only a touch of holography but excellent extension, detail and bass
- Siemens E88cc 'Rohre' (semi-vintage) -- detailed & extended but highs are intolerably bright.
For a few days after getting the Amperex they were my favorites. (I as lucky to get, used, for a very good price.) Unfortunately they became increasingly cloying on account of their full-body "fat", and soft bass. Now I'm in full rebound to the Reflektors, but that could change!
Dmitri Shostakovich
Edits: 06/21/21 06/21/21
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Topic - Six 6922/E88CC/6H23 tubes compared - Feanor 17:12:05 06/20/21 (10)
- RE: Six 6922/E88CC/6H23 tubes compared - airtime 07:43:22 06/21/21 (9)
- I like the Gold Lions too - Feanor 10:15:08 06/21/21 (2)
- Don't be too hard on those tubes... - airtime 12:30:30 06/21/21 (1)
- Good points - Feanor 17:43:52 06/21/21 (0)
- RE: Six 6922/E88CC/6H23 tubes compared - Triode_Kingdom 09:27:44 06/21/21 (5)
- RE: Six 6922/E88CC/6H23 tubes compared - airtime 09:42:05 06/21/21 (4)
- RE: Six 6922/E88CC/6H23 tubes compared - Triode_Kingdom 23:55:27 06/21/21 (3)
- True, not doubt - Feanor 04:06:15 06/22/21 (2)
- RE: True, not doubt - Mendel 18:54:06 06/30/21 (1)
- Thanks, interesting - Feanor 08:37:02 07/01/21 (0)