Head amp that uses 6922?

I am looking for recommendations on a head amp that uses 6922 tubes. I have a few tubes on order for a CTH originally, but the CTH itself has since crapped out and is on the way back to Massdrop. Tech support from MD noted that they've received reports that unless the amp is plugged in indefinitely, it has the potential to kill the tube. So, rather than getting an exchange, I went for a full refund instead....so now I have three 6922s (one used matched pair) with no amp to use it with.

Headphones that I'd like to use the amp with: LCD-X, HE560, HD650

 

Hi, I think you could ask this in the advice thread. There is no need for a dedicated topic about headamp with ecc88 tubes, IMHO.
The moderator can talk about this matter.
Nevertheless, I recommend the schiit Valhalla 2 and Mojnir 2

 

Perhaps you are putting the cart before the horse. The tube type used would be one of the last criteria I'd apply in selecting an amp. Tubes can always be resold.

 

I would agree with @L’Orfeo there is no point to buy an amp just for the tube; pick the best sounding to you amp, then select the tubes. The Schiit Lyr 3 using 6SN7 are getting the very good reviews here. Since you have LCD-X (or any planars) then be cautious of OTL tube amps like Valhalla 2 as the output impedance of OTL tends to be high. I recommend reading around on the different amps here and which pairs well with your headphones.

 

There are a ton of HP amps that use 6922. Bravo Audio V3, Little Dot mkIII, Aune T1, Woo Audio 3, various "Little bear" headphone amps, Schiit Vali 2... in fact, it's probably the most common driver tube in a headphone amp. I agree with the other users here that I wouldn't specifically target a headphone amp based on a tube though (unless you're a lover of 300Bs, those can be counted on two hands).

If you hold onto the tubes, you're pretty much guaranteed to end up with more gear that uses 6922s, it's unavoidable. I actually prefer amps that use other driver tubes like 12AX7 or 12AU7, much cheaper to get vintage ones that sound good. Decent 6922s easily cost $100 or more as there are hardly any left and nearly every amp uses them.

 

the Crack actually uses the 12AU7 as the input tube.

 

Good catch, thanks. All the others though

 

The amps for garage1217 should be on your list. The ember 2.1 is a great little amp that I still own and use.

 

How do we know the guy wasn't driving behind a delivery truck that crashed on the way from the warehouse. There's gonna be blood and 6922s all over the highway

 

Sometimes I think this should be the sbaf motto.

 

There's exceptions to this for sure. It's not unusual for people to focus on 300b or 2a3 amps

 

The 6922 is a great small-signal tube, and I generally like the sound of components that use it.

I had a chance to DIY a preamp, modifying it to use 12AX7, then 12AU7 and finally 6922, and preferred the 6922 variant overall. That's not a "rule" but simply that with no changes in the circuit save for accommodating the different tubes parameters, that was my result. I would be surprised to learn that it was the case with different circuits every time. I no longer have anything that uses 6922s and am quite happy with the 12xxx variants I am using.

What I can say about the 6922 version is it had a different harmonic structure and a more "natural" 2HD to 3HD relationship (I do measure stuff). But 3HD isn't a "bad" distortion component; if it were everything recorded on magnetic tape would be un-listenable (as mag tape has a predominant 3HD characteristic).

It must be said that the design and implementation of a given component has a huge bearing on it's merits as an audio device. Put another way, an excellent 12AX7 small-signal device will beat an average 6922 device every time, even if (and that's definitely an "if") the 6922 is the superior vacuum state choice without other criteria coming in to play.

So I suggest taking each candidate on it's merits and avoid trying to apply "rules" to choose this or that component. As someone pointed out, you won't have trouble moving the tubes you do have, should that come to pass, so there is no downside in keeping an open mind and do some auditioning instead.