12au7 tube?

I've had really good luck with the new-production Apos Ray 12AU7s. They come with a warranty and sound very good compared to the leading NOS 12AU7s I have in my stash...

There are so many variations in NOS Mullard tubes (different factories, different styles, a whole range of dates of production), that it's impossible to generalize about them.  I wasn't impressed with the pair that I got, but that doesn't mean that some other pair might sound fabulous.

That's one positive vote for the Apos Ray.  I'm feeling tempted.

You Can't beat Andy @ Vintage tube services.

marco,

The 3 types you mention above are all Philips Europe companies. Made in Holland, Belgium and France respectively. Each has a unique acid etched code which begins the second set of each code. For Philips/Amperex is was a delta or triangle on its side, Mazda a L and LA Radiotechnique a plus sign directly over a slash or minus sign. All have many internal similarities and all have the 4 seams coming out from the nipple on the tube tops. There is much online about these codes and is the only true way to identify a Philips Europe tube and I have never known these codes to be faked. Many of the Holland made tubes will be branded Philips as well as Amperex.

I think, RCA black plates from 50s give excellent balance, at least in my amp.