I’m reviewing the Apos Ray 6SN7 Select in today’s article. The 6SN7 Select features a ceramic collar and gold-plated pins. The price is $64 for a single tube and $149 for a matched pair.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by Apos Audio for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
Apos Ray 6SN7 Select
Quick Links
Design
The Apos Ray 6SN7 vacuum tubes showcase meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. Unlike traditional NOS tubes, these tubes are brand new, ensuring consistent quality and performance. Each tube undergoes rigorous testing, with fewer than 5% of the tubes meeting the stringent standards set by Apos.
To achieve optimal performance, Apos recommends a minimum burn-in time of 6 hours, allowing the tubes to settle and reach their full potential. The use of premium ceramic for the collar of the 6SN7 Select ensures durability even under high temperatures, enhancing longevity and reliability.
Apos doesn’t cut corners when it comes to quality, employing silk-screen-printed logos that remain vibrant and intact over time. Additionally, the incorporation of gold pins not only resists corrosion but also ensures excellent conduction, further enhancing the overall performance and lifespan of these vacuum tubes.
Fewer than 5% of the tubes we commission for production make the cut.
Apos Audio
Setup
One of my most treasured audio products is my Feliks Audio Elise OTL tube amplifier. It’s something special but I always feel like I don’t have enough time to enjoy it. So when Apos asked me if I’d be interested in reviewing the 6SN7 Select, the thought of pairing them with the Elise came to mind and I seized the opportunity without hesitation.
So, for this setup, I chose the SMSL SU-9 Ultra DAC and played hi-res FLAC files and some Spotify Premium from my PC via USB. I connected the SU-9 Ultra to Elise’s Line input using my Arctand Labs RUBI RCA interconnect cables and plugged in some of my favourite headphones like the Sennheiser HD650, Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro and Hifiman Sundara.
Sound
The sonic characteristics of the Apos Ray 6SN7 Select tubes differ significantly from those of the stock PSVane tubes. Compared to the PSVane tubes, the Apos 6SN7 Select offers a markedly warmer and smoother sound. Treble notes are more rounded and softer, although they may lack the precision and contrast found with the PSVane tubes.
These tubes romanticize the sound, moving away from clinical exactness and instead favouring a more musical presentation. They give you much more lush tubeyness compared to some other vacuum tubes and whether that works for you or not will depend on what sonic qualities you are pursuing with tube rolling.
Furthermore, the amplification from the 6SN7 tubes introduces a subtle touch of euphony, emphasizing the midrange while maintaining a balanced representation across the frequency spectrum. Vocals are more upfront and intimate, captivating with their richness. They have a dreamlike yet high-fidelity sound that is exquisitely enchanting.
Listening to Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” with the Apos Audio 6SN7 Select vacuum tubes, this iconic piano composition takes on a new dimension, revealing intricate details and a heightened sense of majesty.
As the piano keys dance through the moonlit melody, the 6SN7 Select introduces a gentle infusion of harmonious tones, delicately emphasizing the midrange. The warmer and smoother tonal characteristics lend themselves well to Debussy’s impressionistic style, creating a sonic atmosphere that feels like a serene nocturne. The treble notes, though softer and rounded, add a dreamlike quality to the piece, enhancing the emotional resonance.
Verdict
The Apos Ray 6SN7 Select vacuum tubes offer a markedly warm and smooth sound, introducing a lush tubeyness that emphasizes the midrange and captivates with its richness. Additionally, they provide a subtle touch of euphony, enhancing vocals to be more upfront and intimate.
With prices for NOS tubes continually rising, it’s refreshing to see new options like the 6SN7 Select emerge in the market, offering audiophiles a compelling alternative for their tube rolling pursuits.