BHK preamp tubes

Audio Components Preamplifiers
1

Just curious about what tubes do you all use in your BHK Signature Preamp? What are the results?

Also, Is there a search button, so I can look this stuff up without having to bother you good people?

Thanks.

2

I am currently running the Apos Ray 12AU7 tubes which are very quiet and sound better than the Gold Lions.

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3

Yes, there is a search button, and I found the link below.
I have not changed tubes on my BHK pre, but I have changed to new Mullard tubes on my M1200’s.

4

I’m also using the Apos Ray tubes in the BHK Pre and 1200 mono’s and perfer them to the Psvane and GL’s I was using.

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5

Black plate triple mica Raytheon 5814 tubes have been my preference when using my BHK preamp with my M1200 mono amps ( which have CBS/Hytron 5814 tubes.)

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6

Thanks for the reply.

I have never heard of Apos Ray tubes. Who sells them, how much and are they warm, neutral or cold sounding?

7

Thanks for the reply,

How do 5814’s work in place of the 12au7s’s?
And how do they sound, warm neutral or cold?

Thanks.

8

I too have gone with the Apos Ray 12AU7s in my BHK preamp and Primaluna Dialogue Premiums run as monos. I prefer them to any of my pricey NOS tubes, from Telefunken, Radiotechnique, Brimar, Telefunken, Mullard and more. They are better than any other new production 12AU7s I have tried including Gold Lion. They’re much less expensive than NOS (around $75) and come with a warranty. I bought mine on Amazon, but you can buy them directly from Apos.

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9

There was a “like new” matched pair of Apos Ray 12au7 suddenly appeared in Amazon. Sorry guys! I grabbed it so fast since the price was so good. This is my third pair in 3 months and they replaced both GL and Telefunken NOS in BHK pre and M1200.

These new tubes have no weakness.

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10

5814 tubes are going to draw 350 MA @ 6.3volts vs the 12au7’s 300MA but are otherwise identical tubes. Most sellers say they are “identical” to a 12au7 but that’s not quite true. In most circuits they are drop in replacements. As to sound, they are well balanced, possessed of a big soundstage, and do not exaggerate sibilance or harshness. Someone with with speakers like Audio Note, Harbeth, etc. might find them a touch too polite depending on the listening environment and partnering equipment.

11

I ended up getting them from their site, they were sold out on Amazon at the time. I paid $149 for a pair but see they are $179 now. They sound detailed (not harsh) compared to the Gold Lions I was using. I wouldn’t call them overly “tubey” sounding, or analytical in my setup, just right so far. I noticed cymbals and guitars sound more realistic with extended decay to me now. Soundstage increased slightly left and right, I didn’t notice any increase in depth. But the biggest positive difference is how vocals are about a foot higher in the soundstage mix somehow, I really like that. I did notice the low end improved after about 50 hrs. or so.

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12

Sounds like a win. After trying several tubes, including NOS Telefunken and Mullard, I always came back to new Genelec’s with the BHK. Nice to know there are some good new kids on the block.