I can increase my budget now that I've gotten time with the Aune T1 Dac + Telefunken 6922 + Bottlehead + JVC DX1000 lol
Seriously...that Telefunken 6922 is amazing. Huge difference from the 6922s I have and that came with the Dac. I ordered it with the "upgraded" 6922 and it sounds like trash compared to the Tele. This tube has a seriously potent and deep low end with great clarity. Its far better on the low end and clarity than some other 6922s I have here. I prefer a slightly colored experience, not analytical, one that is powerful and deep on the low end, forward mids and the largest sound staging possible. Thats my preferred sound.
I am shocked by the Telefunken 6922, I expected great...but not THAT great. Whoa...I'll definitely need some new tubes for the BC to make it shine a little more so I guess I will continue shopping and researching tubes. Any more suggestions for the increased budget is recommended. I am not sure what I am want to pay, so if you can toss out options for me, I would be very happy. I can go $100 for the 12au7 variant and $100 for the 6080/6as7g You guys have been so great and helpful, I am so happy I own the Bottlehead and have such a nice support group.
Also, the JVC DX1000 is phenomenal with the Bottlehead without decent tubes that I am currently using. With whatever I had before, it was excellent. Without them, but with the Telefunken 6922 in the Aune Dac...the sound is audibly more clear and much deeper and more powerful on the low end. So, basically the new 6922 in the Dac is good enough to make the junky tubes in the bottlehead sound great. Outside of the Burson HA160 or maybe the Apex Butte, I would not touch another amplifier with the DX1000. The sound staging qualities on most other amps I have used in the audiophile world, even very expensive ones just flat out suck. I've reviewed almost off of them. The Blue hawaii is nice, but seriously right next to my Bottlehead I just cringed at that price tag. The Bottlehead is the only amp out of dozens of reviewed amplifiers I've tested that was worth keeping for me. It has the complete package and since I am a sound stage nut, I couldnt do better. Finding better tubes for it right now is my main priority. Also, no I cannot take pictures. I tossed them out as soon as I confirmed they were dead. Bad move, I guess, Im sorry lol.
-J