[Apos Audio]

I just added another review: they’re a noticeable step up from xDuoo Stock tubes. Read on to see why I found the RAYs to be satisfying and fun: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/apos-ray-12au7-vacuum-tube.26778/review/32304/

Thank you for sharing your review of the Apos Ray Tubes.

 

[Evshrug]

So, I got these in last week and they were sounding great and working fine, until today. Plugged in my focal utopia's and heard a hiss on the left side of the headphones. Took the Utopia's off and connected the hd650's and the same thing happened, hiss from the left side. I swapped the rectifier back to the stock and there was still the hiss coming from the left side. I finally swapped back in the stock xduoo tubes, and the hiss was gone. I put back the apos tubes but this time swapped left and right, and now the hiss is coming from the right. So figured out that one of tubes was faulty. Contacted Apos, just waiting for their reply.

Edit:
I left the tubes on through out the night, and the hiss seems to be gone. It already had more than 50 hours of use, but I didn't use it for a few days until last night and that's when the hiss started. But the hiss seems to be gone now.

So, I guess I should leave the tube amp on for an hour before listening?

Did the hiss ever come back?
It could be that the tube originally was not seated right or something, but when you switched sides for the tubes you may have fixed that, and after a few minutes the tubes warmed up properly. Some people just leave their tube amps on all the time unless they’re going to be away from home for awhile, or during storms.

@Apos Audio Approximately how many hours do the RAY 12AU7 last? I think the little paper inside the tube’s box quoted a large figure, but I’m having trouble finding that info.

 

[Apos Audio]

Did the hiss ever come back?
It could be that the tube originally was not seated right or something, but when you switched sides for the tubes you may have fixed that, and after a few minutes the tubes warmed up properly. Some people just leave their tube amps on all the time unless they’re going to be away from home for awhile, or during storms.

@Apos Audio Approximately how many hours do the RAY 12AU7 last? I think the little paper inside the tube’s box quoted a large figure, but I’m having trouble finding that info.

Hi @Evshrug,
Tubes in general can last up to 10,000 hours if they're well cared for.

 

[Pan Varox]

When they will be available in Europe?

 

[vellocetplus]

Also still waiting to be able to buy it in Europe...

 

[Deleeh]

Hello,
my review of the Apos Audio Ray 12AU7 is finally finished.
I have been working on it for a long time and was interrupted time and again due to private matters.
And wanted to finish it before Christmas, now we are in the middle of it.
Read it anyway, there might still be a small Christmas discount for you if you are thinking of buying tubes.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/apos-ray-12au7-vacuum-tube.26778/reviews#review-32531

 

[Evshrug]

Hello,
my review of the Apos Audio Ray 12AU7 is finally finished.
I have been working on it for a long time and was interrupted time and again due to private matters.
And wanted to finish it before Christmas, now we are in the middle of it.
Read it anyway, there might still be a small Christmas discount for you if you are thinking of buying tubes.

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/apos-ray-12au7-vacuum-tube.26778/reviews#review-32531

Things happen... but hey, good job on completing it!

 

[Deleeh]

@Evshrug Thank you .
A friend who had also tested the Ray's said that one tube was noisy.
When I got the set I tried both and it was all good.
Both also ran for several hours on his Cayin amplifier.
So I can't say anything bad here.
Apos Audio sent us two sets and both ran here without any problems.

Regarding availability, Apos Audio is working on finding someone for Europe, unfortunately I don't know any more.
However, it is not easy because of the general European directives and also the dealer is liable in the end.
Give Apos Audio a little more time, they will surely find someone.
However, I can tell you that the tubes are worth it and the customs clearance is worth it.
Importing the tubes into the EU would cost around €30-45 extra, which is still manageable.
You should not think about it.
However, if you do have problems with the tubes, please contact support for help.

 

[Apos Audio]

Things happen... but hey, good job on completing it!

Thank you both for a great and honest review.

 

[vellocetplus]

@Evshrug Thank you .
A friend who had also tested the Ray's said that one tube was noisy.
When I got the set I tried both and it was all good.
Both also ran for several hours on his Cayin amplifier.
So I can't say anything bad here.
Apos Audio sent us two sets and both ran here without any problems.

Regarding availability, Apos Audio is working on finding someone for Europe, unfortunately I don't know any more.
However, it is not easy because of the general European directives and also the dealer is liable in the end.
Give Apos Audio a little more time, they will surely find someone.
However, I can tell you that the tubes are worth it and the customs clearance is worth it.
Importing the tubes into the EU would cost around €30-45 extra, which is still manageable.
You should not think about it.
However, if you do have problems with the tubes, please contact support for help.

Apos only allows shipping to US & Canada for the moment unfortunately. I hope they realize they're losing out on a lot of European sales for these tubes and prioritize accordingly.

 

[godmax]

Also posted my review Apos Ray 12AU7 - A glowing light in the dark!
Gear: xDuoo TA-22 and Cayin HA-3A
@Apos Audio please make them available in the EU now (at a reasonable price)!

 

[ceylon103]

what is name and city, province of "partner factory" in china?

 

[ceylon103]

$150 for a matched pair 12AU7 is not that bad, as long as they really sound good. The best NOS 12AU7 matched pairs go well above $200 or even $300, and you are lucky if you get 30 days warranty on them. It all depends on how these new tubes sound. Price is mid-category I would say. If Apos wants to send a pair my way to try in my HA-3A, I won't say no.

its a terrible price for a new production ECC82. $25 is more appropriate.

 

[betula]

its a terrible price for a new production ECC82. $25 is more appropriate.

Even $25 is too much. All tubes should be free. As well as all audio equipment. We live in an unfair world.

 

[ThanatosVI]

its a terrible price for a new production ECC82. $25 is more appropriate.

By that Logic NOS tubes should be 2-5$ considering inflation etc of the last century