The Best 50€ You’ll Spend on Your Turntable upgrade – PSVANE Horizon Tube Review

I honestly think if you have tubes in your system, and you like Vinyl, this 50 euro upgrade is essential. I really think how much value and improvement you get from these tubes is miles beyond your stock ones that you get with your device.

You can purchase this amazing tubes here: https://tinyurl.com/2y3z94e9

An Amazing upgrade

I used PS Vanes Horizon 12ax7 tubes to improve my phono preamp that I have currently in possession. I used to dabble a little bit with tube rolling, having tubes from Telefunken, Mullard in my possession at different times.

The benefit of having better tubes is immeasurable in your tube system. Bad tubes can often be a bottleneck, veiling the sound, and just not allowing sound to properly expand and detail. So I just think tube rolling for any measurable upgrade of your system is mandatory.

 For who I would not recommend this tubes

But I will format this review a bit differently, as I will first say for who these tubes are not. As I can see some people might not be fully satisfied with them. And no matter how weirdly this is, these tubes might not be favorite ones for people that generally love tubes. I know it sounds strange but let me tell you why.

Usually, tubes have this very nice sheen and warmth to them. Almost creating a smooth presentation which is a to die for, people that enjoy tubes. It is a big warm hug that makes your listening experience infinite and beautiful.

But PS Vanes Horizon series, is more like solid state in sound, as they are more faster, nimble, brighter and detailed. As that might not be something people that enjoy tubes really like that much. So I want to taper excitement here, as I am going to be excited when review these tubes as they are amazing.

As they are cheap and awesome, for 50 euros you breathe new life in your turntable system which is just beyond gratifying. As I know how they shocked me to be honest. This kind of reviews are my favorite types, as when it arrived I did not expect anything from them, but quite amazement when I tested them with music I love to a tiny detailed suppressed me, and my surprise only kept growing while I was listening to them further.

They are not meant to compete with more pricier tubes, even though they are close. But to provide tremendous value in this mid-priced market of tubes.

Build Quality

But let's talk about build and packaging a little bit. I love what PS Vane does with packaging here, it really sells you on that premium experience. Their logo is a peacock so it is supposed to be flamboyant. And with this kind of marble, with gold accents it does kind of ooze the luxury experience. It is not something that will bring these tubes any pros, but when I spend money I love to see companies try to make the whole experience of opening packages a great pleasure, as it is your first introduction to the product.

The 12AU7, also referred to as ECC82, is a compact nine-pin dual triode vacuum tube with medium gain, commonly utilized in pre-amplification circuits and guitar amplifiers

And they added

But there are two great things that I like that they have added it is HPC-T and HPC-X.

The HPC-T anode coating technology is designed to address issues related to heat dissipation and thermal stress in anodes. This innovation reduces signal distortion, ensures stable output, and enhances sound clarity.

Additionally, the HPC-X anode coating technology increases both anode and output power while efficiently absorbing excess gases, helping to extend the tube’s operational life.

The bases are made from high-density ceramics, which reduce conductivity and dampening, further improving overall stability.

This is a huge deal as there is tangible results that this provides. IT creates more stable environment for signal to be less clouded. Now thermal dispersion is a big thing, and how well it reacts with your preamp is going to be preamp by preamp bases but it should work great.

Sound Quality and Signature

The reason I spoke about this, is also how much this affects the sound actually and sound signature.

As I said this sound is more leaning to lean. As it is more focused, presentable, and detailed. IT just doesn't care to have that tube magic, more to extract and present details, well how much it extracts and synergizes does heavily really on cartridge and preamp synergy but we will talk about that later.

It will not have that warm, weighty and smooth sound. But still it is not class d, clinical sound, it still is a indistinctable analog sound, while not the smoothest it still shaves the treble, and smooths the mids. But still being more forward and detailes and attack to create smooth but lean sound.

And we have to go first with sound of bass, I am so happy how dynamically rich these tubes make your sound, there is certain focus and mission on that bass, It pierces I think I can explain it that way, it pierces through layers of productions and instrumentations. And all that with textures and inflections of a great system.

And you know who you feel it, I was listening to Miles Davis, a lot of with this tubes, and on On the corner sessions the upper bass the sound of sax and trumpet, it lead the tempo and instrumentation, and you can feel how wind blows through them, you can feel textures how the sound expands it was beautiful.

I know people will probably dislike the idea that this is too lean, rather than having this aural presence of weight and scope. I know it kinda missed on that, the command of soundstage was also not there. I think the issue might be also, if you are used to tubes, you might expect a bit more soundstage width with them with those lamps, but unfortunately there is nothing like that there.

But my favorite things with these tubes is not a bass, it is mids. Absolutely mind-blowing mids, and there is a reason for this, it is a heat dispersion and thermal stress allowed engineers to actually give more clarity than usual.

And it is just that with my system synergy the push for more details, presentation and showmanship was obvious. I mean I love tubes, they make everything so much more musical, so much more engaging. I certainly understand why some people only prefer tubes, but to me this combination of even more clarity and precision among cheap tubes, and yet to hold that musicality and smoothers is just nuts.

I love the expressions of vocals with these tubes, how the veil is lifted enough that clarity of both vocals and instruments shine and not combat each other. The great success if you take tubes in similar price range from new old stock like mullards, acmes, even maybe some Sylvania or maybe not. But how much clarity they offer and details is pretty.

A lot of instruments clash in mids, lot of stuff is happening their and if your tube can successfully unclutter that mess, well good job. I think mids are truly impressive with these tubes.

Also treble have goods and bad moments, but as expected best things about it is clarity and forwardness, but sometimes, it tries too hard to be open at top and it causes a bit of unrefinement. Not something that I see as a super negative, as it is not something you notice often, especially it is manageable if you have rest of the system on warm spectrum, but it tries too hard to push through grain and it sometimes feels uninspiring and unrefined.

But still it separates well, and soundstage is decent enough with this. But take clarity in consideration, and if your amp/speakers create vast soundscapes well you will not feel cheated out.

Synergy and pairing suggestions

Synergy with this is also important to pair correctly. I think it is not a super hard thing to pair, but adding additional warmth via amp/speakers/cartridge is probably a great way to go. Don’t pair this with bright components, as you will lose that “analog magic”, but something like Hana cartridges, something like Marantz, or tube amps, something like Q Acoustic or Wharfdale speakers are going to go long way to create phenomenal synergy.

Conclusion

My experience with PSVane was unexpected and enjoyable, I would not think that tubes that have sound that is more in line with solid state than typical warmth of a tubes. It is an amazing tubes that deliver amazing clarity and details, and especially does a great job into decluttering mids, expressing the instruments and especially vocals. That might create a sound that is too forward, or bass that is not commanding and encompassing like what you are used to , but give these tubes a chance they are not expensive and they deliver a lot of great goodies.

You might be surprised with details, clarity and showmanship, and you might time from times switch your NOS warm tubes, from some other sound signature. As this price allows you flexibility into combining and experimenting with different sound of different tubes, and you can switch them based on occurrence and your mood.

You can purchase this amazing tubes here:

https://tinyurl.com/2y3z94e9 

Pros

• Huge Value for Money: For around 50 euros, the reviewer finds the upgrade "essential" for tube systems, offering significant improvement over stock tubes.

• Impressive Clarity and Detail: These PSVane Horizon 12AX7 tubes provide much more detail, focus, and separation, especially in the mids where vocals and instruments are usually most cluttered.

• Improved Dynamics: Particularly strong bass definition and texturing, making instruments like saxophones and trumpets sound more dynamic and alive.

• Better Heat Management: Thanks to HPC-T and HPC-X coating technologies, these tubes offer improved thermal dispersion, resulting in more stable sound performance and longer tube life.

• Good Build and Packaging: Luxurious packaging and quality build (high-density ceramic bases) enhance the first impression and user experience.

• Solid-State-Like Speed: Fast, nimble presentation that could appeal to users who value detail retrieval over traditional tube warmth.

• Flexibility: Low price allows users to experiment with different sound signatures by swapping tubes based on mood or system changes.

Cons

• Less Traditional "Tube Warmth": The sound is described as "lean" and closer to solid-state, which could disappoint listeners expecting the typical "warm hug" tube experience.

• Potential Brightness: Treble can sometimes sound a bit unrefined or overly forward, particularly in systems that are already bright.

• Limited Soundstage: Lacks the expansive, enveloping soundstage that high-end or more "romantic" tube designs often deliver.

• System Matching Required: Needs to be carefully paired with warmer components (amps, cartridges, speakers) to avoid sounding too bright or clinical.

• Not Meant for High-End Competition: These tubes don't aim to compete with the very best vintage or high-end new tubes, but rather excel at mid-market performance.