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AUDIO FORUMS >> Replacement Tubes >> New 12AU7: Apos Ray
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Message started by Lon on 02/20/24 at 13:52:41

Title: New 12AU7: Apos Ray
Post by Lon on 02/20/24 at 13:52:41

I notice there is a new production "special tube" available, the Apos Ray 12AU7

https://apos.audio/products/apos-ray-tube-12au7?variant=44090522501356

From the description . . . it may be too bright a tube FOR ME. But. . . who knows. If anyone tries this out, tell us about it. :)

Title: Re: New 12AU7: Apos Ray
Post by CAJames on 02/20/24 at 16:51:55

I'd never heard of Apos Ray. But regardless, I guess 80 bucks for a Chinese 12AU7 is the "new normal." I'm glad I've already got a lifetime supply of tubes. Realistically, enough for this lifetime and most of the next.

Title: Re: New 12AU7: Apos Ray
Post by armstdav on 02/20/24 at 17:46:05

I could be wrong, but it appears all the Apos branded products are made by someone else and rebranded as Apos. I'm guessing their tube selections are all purchased from and tested by someone other than Apos, and they just add their markup to pay for the beautiful web site aimed at a very specific market.

I'd be surprised if they're adding any value over the established tube vendors.

Title: Re: New 12AU7: Apos Ray
Post by Lon on 02/20/24 at 18:36:39

I assumed the same, I think you are absolutely right--I assume they are China manufactured tubes. Others do the same, and with some really good results at times (TAD for one). I don't doubt these COULD sound really good. . . the description of the sound makes them seem leaner than I like tubes to be though. But I am a bit curious. . . .

Title: Re: New 12AU7: Apos Ray
Post by Kamran on 02/22/24 at 19:27:27

One review on Head-Fi specifically mentioned that they were not bright, so it might be to your liking.

How about I buy it (a single tube) and have it shipped to you? Take as long as you need and then send it to the next person who is interested in checking it out?

Might be fun to have a collective tube that goes from member to member?

Title: Re: New 12AU7: Apos Ray
Post by Lon on 02/22/24 at 19:33:53

Kam, nah, generous offer, and if you want to do that with someone else, cool, but I don't want to get involved in that manner. especially with an item as fragile as an input tube.

Also I just need to point out that many tubes that others classify as "not bright". . . I may find "bright"--my sensitivity to "brightness" seems larger than that of almost anyone else I have encountered (except perhaps my late first wife, but she had exceptional hearing that a University of Chicago lab paid her to study when we were in college!)

I'm really more than FLUSH with tubes right now, having replaced the Cryotone 12AU7-WCL that I accidentally broke, and I'm not in the "explore that tube type" zone for a few more months. (The Cryotone tube is awesome, and I honestly have about five dozen NOS 12AU7 tubes of varying types and brands to roll). I'd be interested to hear impressions of this tube if they exist or are generated.

Title: Re: New 12AU7: Apos Ray
Post by Kamran on 02/22/24 at 20:23:47

Noted. I thought you were interested in checking it out to expand your already grand repertoire of tubes!

The reason I wasn’t interested in checking it out immediately (and have someone break it in for me) as that I am also flush with 12AU7s currently and in fact, just received the Cryotone 12AU7 today, so my attention will be diverted there for the time being.

Still open to the idea if anyone else is interested….

Btw: in case you haven’t come across this already, here’s the review thread on Head-Fi:

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/apos-ray-12au7-vacuum-tube.26778/reviews

Title: Re: New 12AU7: Apos Ray
Post by Lon on 02/22/24 at 21:40:45

Thanks, yes, after your mention I looked that thread up. Interesting. . . seems overall a lot of positive reporting.