Beyond the Ordinary

The CORE 12AT7 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 12AT7 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.

The 12AT7 vacuum tube is part of a family of dual triodes that also includes the 12AX7 and 12AU7. Its higher gain and transconductance made it suitable for high frequency applications in devices like TVs and FM radios. In the world of audio, it’s commonly used as a driver or phase inverter in push-pull audio circuits.

Sound Characteristics

The CORE 12AT7 delivers a clear and energetic sound character, ideal for users seeking mid-to-high frequency articulation and rhythmic precision, especially in systems with a neutral or slightly bright tonal balance.

1. Bass Performance
   Restrained, prioritizing speed and clarity over weight or depth. Well defined structure but minimal low-end emphasis, making it suitable for tracks where bass is not the focal point.
2. Midrange Performance
   Linear and open, delivering a clean and slightly forward tonality. It excels with vocals and acoustic instruments that benefit from a more transparent and articulate presentation.
3. Treble Performance
   Crisp and energetic, with good clarity and fast transient response. While the extension isn't expansive, it stays clean and controlled without introducing harshness.
4. Dynamics and Soundstage
   Dynamic handling is responsive, with smooth transitions in low-to-mid-level passages. Soundstage is relatively compact but well-layered, offering good positioning in near-field or small setups.

Technical Specifications

• Tube Type: 12AT7 / ECC81 / 6201 / CV4024
• Tube Socket: 9-pin

Heater

• Heater Voltage: 6.3 V (parallel) / 12.6 V (series)
• Heater Current: 0.30 A / 0.15 A

Maximum Ratings in Class A Amplification (Per Section)

• Anode Voltage: 300 V
• Grid Voltage: –50 V
• Anode Dissipation Power: 2.5 W
• Heater-to-Cathode Voltage: ±90 V
  

Grid Circuit Resistance

• Self Bias: 1 MΩ
• Fixed Bias: 0.25 MΩ
  

Interelectrode Capacitance

• Grid-to-Grid: 0.005 pF
• Plate-to-Plate: 0.4 pF
• Grid-to-Plate (per section): 1.5 pF
• Grid-to-Cathode/Heater (per section): 2.2 pF
• Plate-to-Cathode/Heater (per section): 0.5 pF
• Heater-to-Cathode (per section): 2.4 pF
• Plate-to-Cathode (per section): 0.2 pF
• Cathode-to-Heater/Grid (per section): 4.6 pF
• Plate-to-Heater/Grid (per section): 1.8 pF
  

Static Parameters

• Anode Voltage: 100 V / 250 V
• Anode Current: 3.7 mA / 10 mA
• Transconductance: 4 mA/V / 5.5 mA/V
• Cathode Resistor: 270 Ω / 200 Ω
• Amplification Factor: 60 / 60
• Approx. Internal Resistance: 15 kΩ / 10.9 kΩ
• Approx. Grid Voltage: –5 V / –12 V

Package Contents

• Set of two, or single vacuum tube
• User handbook featuring burn-in guidelines
• Certificate of authenticity and warranty

The Ray Tubes One Year Warranty

Most vacuum tubes are notoriously fickle. That’s why warranties are rare. But we trust our products and we’re proud to offer our One Year Warranty against manufacturing defects. For more details, check out our warranty page.