Apos came to us with a request: they needed 6AS7 tubes. Their OTL tube amp customers were looking for replacements and upgrades. These 6AS7 tubes haven’t been made in over 30 years. That’s a long time.
What Happened to New 6AS7 Tubes?
There was a time when 6AS7 tubes were everywhere. Factories overproduced them, and the market was flooded. For a time, this surplus satisfied demand. Eventually, demand evaporated, production stopped, and the original equipment and fine craftsmen who made these tubes faded into history. The designs and machinery are now lost. Reviving this production is a Herculean task.
Reviving Production
Restarting 6AS7 production isn’t easy. It would require new designs, specialized equipment, infrastructure, and training. The costs associated with this are startling. Reality said no.
The Practical Solution: NOS
Our analysis of the situation revealed that we can’t make new 6AS7 tubes. So instead we decided to source very good NOS 6AS7 tubes. This route lets us use our expertise to bring you the best available tubes we can find. Here’s how we do it:
- Sourcing: We find NOS 6AS7 tubes.
- Testing: Yes.
- Expert Qualification: Yes.
- Cleaning: Yes.
- Packaging: Yes.
Why Did We Choose General Electric NOS Tubes?
They exhibit reliable performance and excellent sound. They're built to military specs and still work after half a century. They're made in the USA. They're better than the rest. The best isn’t for everyone. Make your choice.
Conclusion
We’re not making new 6AS7 tubes, but the NOS ones we source go through our process to ensure they’re good. If you need 6AS7 tubes, Apos have them.
