Firstly, I would like to thank Apos for sending me the Ray 12AU7 for review.
*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings
Gear Used:
SMSL D6s > Xduoo TA-20 Plus (with Ray 12AU7) > Beyerdynamic DT880 600 Ohm, German Maestro GMP400, Grado SR80i, Meze 109 Pro and more.
Product highlights
• Hand-selected and tested
• Gold pins for corrosion resistance and excellent conduction
• A substantial upgrade from standard NOS tubes
• Low noise and microphonics
• Matched pair (2 tubes) or single tube (1 tube)
• Only 4% of the tubes commissioned for production meet our standards for gain and conductance matching
• Apos 12-month warranty against manufacturing defects
Specs
• Tube type: 12AU7/ECC82/6189/CV4003
• Socket: 9-pin
https://apos.audio/products/apos-ray-tube-12au7
Packaging and Build Quality
Much like the recently reviewed Apos Ray 6SN7, the Apos Ray 12AU7 come in a nice little black/red box with bold graphics and excellent internal padding to keep the valves safe during shipping. There is a leaflet inside that gives some info on the valves along with recommendations on how long to run them in for.
The build quality is excellent, these are new valves but come in matched pairs and look to extremely well-constructed with gold plated pins for corrosion resistance. It’s difficult to assess the external build of valves, but they look great and being new are less susceptible to noise compared to the gamble of buying NOS models from years ago.
Usage
These are very much a fit and forget valve, they are easy to install but may be a bit tighter in the sockets than some NOS valves due to the tighter tolerances of these new valves. They do need a good 100hrs or so to run in and the usual 5-minutes minimum warm up time before they sound their best in your amp of choice.
I am running them in a hybrid amp and this does mean that they won’t have quite as much influence on the sound as a full OTL or SET amp, but they do still make a difference in a good hybrid amp.
Sound
One of the benefits of buying new valves like the Apos Ray 12AU7 is the fact they are quite a safe buy, if anything is wrong with them you are backed by a warranty. I’m a fan of buying untested NOS valves for cheap, but sometimes you do end up with a dud and that isn’t the case here. These are guaranteed to work, plug them in and enjoy for the 1000’s of hours that vacuum tubes last. I think one of the main standout qualities of these valves is their silent background, there is absolutely zero hiss or microphonics from the Apos Ray 12AU7, they have such a black background that allows all the finer details in recordings to come through.
These are not a super smooth and full sounding valve; they carefully balance natural timbre with detailed sound – there is a realism and slight warmth without them sounding dark or veiled. They also have excellent sound staging capabilities, throwing out both a wide and deep sound that is well controlled and separated. The bass digs deep when called for yet never comes across bloated or overly emphasised, the midrange is every so slightly forward but the nuance and detail present is quite something compared to a more objectively flat amplifier. The treble is well extended and never sounds compressed or muffled, it’s always there when needed but doesn’t come across as fatiguing or forward at any point.
Plugging in my trusty German Maestro GMP400’s which can come across a little thin with certain amp combos works very well with the TA-20 Plus and Apos Ray 12AU7 valves, you don’t lose that highly detailed and linear sound these are known for but with a hint of added warmth and body. They don’t upset the tonal balance of your headphones instead these valves get out of the way and allow for clean sound with a little added texture and a hint more body.
I’ve been using these valves in this amp for a while now and they work so well, they compliment the hybrid architecture of the amp by providing that valve sound that I subjectively love whilst still retaining a clean and detail sound. I’m usually more of a rock person but every now and again some electronica comes on and I find myself getting lost in the soundscapes – this happened with these valves and the song Kryll by Eat Static.
Conclusion
Much like my review of the Apos Ray 6SN7 Select valves, I consider these a safe and excellent buy for those worried about the variability in NOS valve quality. These just work, they may not have some of the sonic qualities of certain NOS valve brands yet they do have a sound of their own, one that is natural yet controlled and detailed.
If you want valves that have a black background, natural tonality, and slight valve warmth without colouring the sound too much, these are an excellent buy. I am a big fan of these Apos Ray 12AU7 valves and it’s good to see great quality valves for a reasonable price.
Sound Perfection Rating: 9/10 (Silent background, natural tonality and a little valve warmth)