Looking for recommendations for tubes that are still available for the BHK Pre.
For NOS tubes that are “available”, I like Telefunken “Mazda” 12au7 tubes better than other NOS tubes including Telefunken itself.
For new production, the best I have tried are Apos Ray 12au7 Select tubes, followed by Gold Lion 12au7 tubes.
2 Likes
Thanks so much for the info. I just ordered a pair of Apos Ray tubes. I’ll put these in my BHK Pre when the original tubes need to be replaced.
3 Likes
Though I might test them to see that they work
How did you get on with the Apos Ray tubes?
Work ok with the BHK Pre?
I’m embarrassed to say that I haven’t put them in yet. I have been doing projects getting ready for winter and have been listening to mostly background music. I’ll do it shortly and let you know.
Thanks Much.
Just if you get the chance
Gettting around time to replace the tubes in my BHK Pre,
these (and my current Gold Lions) seem to be the new production ones to get.
Willing to take a punt, and I’m sure they work, just wanting to make sure. 
Yes they work in the BHK Pre and many forum users prefer them.
1 Like
Thanks for the link.
Yup,
seems like these are the ones to get. 
Thank You,
one less thing to think about, though they are a bit procy here in the UK will pick up a matched pair.
Uk reseller too, so all good.
I recommend them. I love the Gold Lions, but in my set up the Apos Ray’s are noticeably better with detail and soundstage. Additionally they are the quietest tubes I’ve used in my BHK. Now I regret stocking up on Gold Lions during the pandemic as prices began to rise.
1 Like
Anyone else have an issue with their Apos Ray 12AU7 matched pair tubes becoming microphonic? I was switching inputs on my BHK preamp tonight and I heard a boing through the speakers. I than tapped on the preamp and could hear that through the speakers. I contacted them as I don’t know if they are still in warranty or not.
I was contacted back by Apos Ray on the same day. I was told that my tubes still had one week left on the guarantee and that they would replace them for me. They provided a prepaid return shipping lable and advised me that once they check them out that they will email me again. They did say the tubes would be shipped back to China and I would be responsible for the $10 cost to do that. They also said the replacement tubes would not have an aditional one year gaurantee. That is understandable to me. I am grateful that they are willing to replace them at all. I will follow up with this in the future.
3 Likes
Seems reasonable.
1 Like
Anyone who has purchased the Apos Ray 12AU7 tubes should know that they are culled versions of the Psvane 12AU7 S tubes. I have looked at them closely and they are visually identical. The only difference is the original markings are gone and the new silk screening appears in their place. The tubes are sorced fromn the same location in China. I am not saying this to degrade anyones opinion of the tubes but it does show how good the Psvane 12AU7 tubes are are.
5 Likes
Apos Ray Select 12au7 sounded quite a bit better than Psvane 12au7 S in my system. I had one Psvane 12au7 blew after 6 months, and I also needed to replaced them after 3000 hours.
Not so with Apos Ray, mine in M1200 has over 2000 hours, and it still sounds like new. They may look alike, but they are different in performance.
2 Likes
As I said they are culled versions. Not just off the shelf. I am just surprised that I had one become microphonic. Mine did not have many hours on them. No where near the 10,000 hours they claim. I will see how the replacement pair stands up once I get them back. Hope they outlast tge original pair that only made it to one week short of the one year warranty running out. I was blessed by that timing.
1 Like
I am surprised to hear that dchang05! After reading this thread with regards to the Apos Ray Select 12au7 tube, I decided to jump in and ordered a pair for my BHK preamp last Saturday. I was told that they are waiting delivery by the 12 of March. Well I checked today and was told that now it will be the 21 of March. Claiming that the first batch were not up to their specs and or standard!
So I wait! But after reading your post it makes me kind of nervious that when I get the pair and after the break-in I will not notice any improvement compared to what I am running right now and extreme;y happy with which by the way are Psvane Horizon 12au7-AT / ECC82 listed on their site for $27.49 each.
Now I fully understand that everyone has a different system and their sound will also be different. However after rolling a number of different tubes in and out I have found these to be the best sounding for my rig! To the point of purchasing a second set as back up.
So after reading your comments, one can see why I might be a little cocerned if when I receive them, will it be an improvement to what i have know? And yes I realize that one can only tell by listening to them which of course I will do so as soon as I get them. But the nice thing is that they offer a 45 day return policy should they not sound better than what I am currently using.
I really don’t want to be a “tube-hopper” from one to the nest and so on! But things better be much better for the $80 price per tube, right?
So lets hope so!
Are you replying @sixpack1 comment? I have not had any issue with Apos Ray Select so far. The last pair I ordered was over one year ago and there was no waiting back then.
I am a happy user of Apos Ray select, and the only other 12au7 tube I am happy with is Telefunken “Mazda” brand NOS, but it is at considerable higher price.
1 Like
Actually, I was replying to your comment dchang05 about the tubes being just select Psvane tubes as well as sixpack1 comments all rolled into one, that’s all! So if there was any confusion on my part!
1 Like
Actually I was the one that brought up the Psvane link between the Apos Ray tubes. He is still short 1000 hours from when his stock Psvane tube failed. My microphonic tube had less hours. I hope the replacements last better.