So to help the people who are unconfident of purchasing new tubes/ the Aune T1, i will try to help and give you the slight push. I am relative new to the audio scene, with just a HF5 for IEM, a Grado SR325I and of course, an Aune T1 amp. Above are the 3 tubes that i have acquired since getting the Aune T1.
And here is the headphone they are powering.
Ok first off, the default tube, the 6922 EH.
Its hard to go wrong with the stock tube of the Aune T1 assuming you buy it with this tube. Gives me a tighter and better bass response for music which is similar to SHM, Avicii etc. The slightly airy soundstage is noticeable from the Grados as the forward mids are still forward but not as. Instrument seperation is decent, and it carries with it a slight tube sound, sweetening the treble and warming the mids oh so slightly. It is definitely possible to use this tube, as it is good for most genres of music.
Second, the voshkod rocket.
The 6n23p voshkod rocket, hails from russia, and offers a completely different ball game from the 6922EH. Where the 6922EH slightly expands the soundstage of the Grados, this russian triode compresses it. Previously you were in the front row now the singer is singing into your ear. Ok, exaggeration, but i hope my point gets across. A very aggressive sounding tube, if i were to summarise it. Doesnt help taper the trebles, mids are nt as warm as the 6922EH, and the bass comes off as the big impact, but not as tight as i would've liked it. Cant argue given the price point.
Lastly, the Amperex 6DJ8/E88CC. Not sure which model it is, all i can tell is it has an A-frame, and i think a dimpled getter. Tube coding has also been erased. But it should be the real deal given how you guys describe it. The Amperex compliments the Grado very well. It offers a tigher bass response, tighter than the 6922EH. Even sweeter treble, and even warmer mids. Seperation of instruments improves, soundstage gets airier, but the Grado still retain its forward nature. Music becomes even more transparent. It is just musical. I have not replaced it with another tube after the comparison, as it is just that good.
So overall, if one is not interested in tube rolling, 6922EH is good enough in its own right. If you are not satisfied and which to experiment, i wholeheartedly reccomend the Amperex first. If you are able to snag up this tube for a decent price, please do, you most likely wont regret it. I didnt. So i think my tube rolling journey stops here, till mysterious funds appear : D
PS: YMMV, take my comments with a grain of salt as everyone is different ^^