So...I spoke with Kevin Deal at Upscale; and let's just say...I find him "difficult", and leave it at that.
After chastising me, about telling him...what
I know about these tubes in question (because
he already knows all that); he proceeded to hem, and haw...and finally give me the very fuzzy answer of "they
should be OK". Great
So then I called B.A.T. and the guy who answered the phone, couldn't answer either of my questions. So...I had to/had the privilege of; speaking with Victor. I said
had to, because I've talked to enough "official" tech guys...to know what his position was going to be. They
never think, you should change
anything!
In Victor's case...with that thick, Russian accent: "no, no, no, no; stick with 6922s". I also asked him, about "half" an SE upgrade.
"Like the VK-53SE and REX II preamplifiers, the VK-33SE features transformer-coupled outputs. This new design replaces BAT’s venerable Six-Pak of output capacitors with custom-designed output transformers."
"This change to a transformer-coupled output stage has a solid engineering foundation. All devices have inherent imperfections. Yet, while both capacitors and transformers can perform the same task of DC decoupling, in many cases transformers can be designed closer to the ideal device model. This benefit, however, does not come easily. First - the design of a linear, and close-to-ideal, transformer is not trivial. Second - some applications are more suitable for transformers than others. And third - the highest quality transformers are also much higher in cost. The combination of these three elements explains why good transformers are relatively uncommon in high-end audio."
"The result: BAT’s new transformer-coupled output stage proved itself to be substantially superior to any capacitor in maintaining a purity of signal transmission. Electrically, these custom transformers significantly improve the VK-33SE preamplifier’s ability to drive low impedance loads. Sonically, they offer improvements in every area of musical reproduction."
So...I wanted the transformer upgrade; but to keep my 6922s...rather than the 6H30s, the SE changes to. Again...Victor did not think it wise.
Oh well; it's a great pre, as is...and I'll just find some tasty 6DJ8s to play with :audiophile: