# BHK preamp tubes **URL:** \ **Category:** Preamplifiers\ **Created:** [April 9, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-preamp-tubes/37207 "2024-04-09T18:12:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CuriousJim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@CuriousJim](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/CuriousJim)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 6:12pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-preamp-tubes/37207/1 "2024-04-09T18:12:10Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![sixpack1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/sixpack1/32/6013_2.png) [@sixpack1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/sixpack1)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 6:25pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-preamp-tubes/37207/2 "2024-04-09T18:25:30Z")
I am currently running the Apos Ray 12AU7 tubes which are very quiet and sound better than the Gold Lions. ---
**Author:** ![adifferentpaul](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/adifferentpaul/32/282181_2.png) [@adifferentpaul](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/adifferentpaul)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 7:28pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-preamp-tubes/37207/3 "2024-04-09T19:28:47Z")
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. > [@BHK Preamp tube rolling](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-preamp-tube-rolling/3403): > > After a bit of a search, I haven’t found much about tube rolling experience with the Preamp. It would be interesting to hear what changes have been noticed switching out of the stock tubes to, say, the Tungsram. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibur](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/excalibur/32/30074_2.png) [@Excalibur](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Excalibur)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 11:09pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-preamp-tubes/37207/4 "2024-04-09T23:09:46Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Photon46](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/photon46/32/142920_2.png) [@Photon46](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Photon46)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2024, 11:19pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-preamp-tubes/37207/5 "2024-04-09T23:19:31Z")
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.) ---
**Author:** ![CuriousJim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@CuriousJim](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/CuriousJim)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 12:03am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-preamp-tubes/37207/6 "2024-04-10T00:03:43Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![CuriousJim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c77e96/32.png) [@CuriousJim](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/CuriousJim)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 12:07am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-preamp-tubes/37207/7 "2024-04-10T00:07:39Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![andynotadam](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/andynotadam/32/209087_2.png) [@andynotadam](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/andynotadam)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 12:51am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-preamp-tubes/37207/8 "2024-04-10T00:51:51Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![dchang05](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/dchang05/32/294697_2.png) [@dchang05](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dchang05)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 6:13am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-preamp-tubes/37207/9 "2024-04-10T06:13:41Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Photon46](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/photon46/32/142920_2.png) [@Photon46](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Photon46)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 12:03pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-preamp-tubes/37207/10 "2024-04-10T12:03:47Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibur](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/excalibur/32/30074_2.png) [@Excalibur](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Excalibur)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 9:33pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-preamp-tubes/37207/11 "2024-04-10T21:33:58Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![straightwire](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/straightwire/32/123306_2.png) [@straightwire](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/straightwire)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2024, 2:01am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/bhk-preamp-tubes/37207/12 "2024-04-11T02:01:58Z")
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.