Ray Tubes Core 12AU7 Vacuum Tube

Our Take

Beyond the Ordinary
Ray Tubes’ CORE Collection of vacuum tubes offers the quintessential upgrade for audiophiles ready to move beyond the limitations of standard factory vacuum tubes. Each vacuum tube is hand-selected, with a strict process that allows only the top percentile of a production batch—those that meet and surpass their rigorous standards for gain, conductance, noise, and microphonics—into your audio system.

Choosing Certainty: Why New Stock is Better
When you buy our CORE Collection of vacuum tubes, you’re guaranteeing that your listening is enhanced by the best of today’s technology. In contrast, when you buy New Old Stock (NOS) vacuum tubes, you’re venturing into unknown territory. While NOS vacuum tubes carry undeniable vintage charm, they often come with hidden risks. Over time, even unused vacuum tubes (hence the “new” in “new old stock”) can degrade, leading to reliability issues and unpredictable performance. You might face diminished sound quality or even failure, as age affects the components, making them more susceptible to wear and damage. In contrast, Ray’s newly manufactured vacuum tubes carry the latest technological advances and stringent quality controls.

Curated by Audio Engineers
The secret behind Ray Tubes’ exceptional sound quality lies in the hands of their dedicated audio engineers. Unlike the impersonal selection process for NOS vacuum tubes, which can be hit or miss in terms of quality, their engineers are deeply involved in every step of choosing their vacuum tubes. They don't just look at specs or conduct standard tests; they listen, evaluate, and hand-select each vacuum tube. This human touch ensures that every vacuum tube Ray produces not only aims to match the vintage experience but significantly surpasses it in reliability and performance.

Gold Pins: Excellence in Every Detail
Gold pins not only add a touch of elegance but also serve a significant purpose. Gold's superior conductivity enhances signal transmission for crystal-clear sound, while its resistance to oxidation ensures long-term performance and durability. These qualities, combined with the secure contact gold provides within the socket, mean your vacuum tubes aren't just top-notch—they're built to last.

Silk-Screen Printed Logos
Even the logos deserve a special mention. Silk-screen-printed onto the tubes, they demonstrate Ray Tubes’ commitment to superior craftsmanship down to the smallest detail. This time-honored printing technique yields results that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable, ensuring the design work remains vibrant and intact over time.

Superior Sound, Secured
An exceptional 12-month warranty—a rarity in the world of vacuum tubes, especially NOS vacuum tubes—reflects Ray Tubes’ confidence in their vacuum tubes’ performance and durability. This warranty is your safeguard against any manufacturing defects, making sure that your investment is protected.

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

Compatible Amps

Explore Ray Tube's Tube Amp Compatibility List

Product Details

Beyond the Ordinary
The CORE 12AU7 delivers everything you know and love about tube audio. With modern production and uncompromising selection processes ensuring reliability and consistency, the Ray Tubes CORE Collection is all you need for years of audio bliss.

Hand selected and tested, the Ray Tubes CORE 12AU7 vacuum tube is manufactured with modern production and selection processes for reliability and consistency. The CORE Collection leaves the uncertainty of the New Old Stock market behind and makes uneven performance and tube failures a thing of the past.

Introduced in 1946, the 12AU7 was the world’s first noval (nine-pin) vacuum tube. The 12AU7 is a double triode, consisting of two 6C4 tubes in a single envelope. Before the advent of solid-state electronics, it was valued for its versatility and portability. Nowadays, it’s a common sight in the pre-amp phase of tube amplifiers, where it functions as a phase inverter or driver.

Sound Characteristics
The CORE 12AU7 provides a natural and clear sound, ideal for users who prioritize midrange performance, especially suited for systems that require warmth and smoothness in their audio reproduction.

1. Bass Performance
   Mild and balanced, with moderate quantity and good control. Well-suited for light music or medium-small dynamic audio, delivering clear rhythmic definition without overemphasizing the low end.
2. Midrange Performance
   Clear and transparent, with a natural tone. Vocals exhibit good clarity and warmth, especially in female vocals, where it shines with a vibrant and elastic sound.
3. Treble Performance
   Clear and non-fatiguing, with good detail but moderate extension. The overall high frequencies are smooth, making it easy to listen to for extended periods.
4. Dynamics and Soundstage
   The dynamics are well-balanced, capturing small to medium dynamic details effectively. The soundstage is moderate, with clear imaging and well-defined instrument positioning, making it ideal for compact audio systems or near-field listening.

Tech Specs

TechX Guarantee

We understand the anxiety of shopping online in Malaysia particularly on startup and small business website; you don't get to physically hold the product before buying, how will you know if the product will live up to your expectations,... - which is why we are committed to

1. Only sell/advertise products or brands that we believe in
2. Thoroughly research a product/model to save you time and get the most value for your money 
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4. Rely on reputable courier service (*not necessarily the cheapest)
5. Provide second to none customer service (Lazada/Shopee gets thousands of visitors a day, we have Only You to focus on)
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8. Your satisfaction! We believe we sourced for the best quality products around, however sometimes life happens. If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied with the quality of any product, we will gladly refund your money within a week.

In the event you still need further assurance, write to us via our Contact Form and we'll get back within 2 hours.