RAY Tube Brand

pearsall001 · January 30

Anyone have any listening experience with the RAY brand tubes... their 6sn7 Reserve in particular. Any other recommendations welcome.

maxward · January 30

Coupla reviews on Positive Feedback.

heiney9 · January 30

No, but.....

https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/ray-tube-vacuum-tubes/

A Chinese tube company that seems to take it seriously. Pretty pricey. Looks like attention to detail is very high. 12 month warranty is pretty impressive.

I would whole hardheartedly recommend 60-70's Russian 6H8C. Direct 6SN7 sub. I have some here that are really impressive. If you search for them they can be pretty economical in cost. They have a balance that is uncanny, great bass, just enough midrange bloom and a sweet high end.

But anyway that's my .02c

H9

Toolfan66 · January 31

If you have the space, don’’t overlook the LinLai E-6SN7, great tubes..

Edit: Looks like the RAY Tubes are similar in size as the LinLai, I might just have to give them a try as well.

Where are you looking to purchase them from?

Toolfan66 · January 31

So going through Apos to clad my Cary SLP 05 it would be $276.00 a tube.

For some reason buying a pair cost more then buying two single tubes, and buying a quad cost more then buying two pair.
Can't seem to find any reason why they do this..
Single Tube $242.00
Matching Pair $552.00 = $276.00ea
Matching Quad $1173.00 = $293.25ea

Pretty Pricey..

pitdogg2 · January 31

Sounds like there is a cost to match the tubes, there's no cost to match just one tube, so that is the price for one. Then the cost of the container to ship the tubes to you goes up in cost with multiple tubes.
There is no way I'm spending that kind of money on new production tubes.

heiney9 · January 31

Toolfan66 wrote: »

So going through Apos to clad my Cary SLP 05 it would be $276.00 a tube.

For some reason buying a pair cost more then buying two single tubes, and buying a quad cost more then buying two pair.
Can't seem to find any reason why they do this..
Single Tube $242.00
Matching Pair $552.00 = $276.00ea
Matching Quad $1173.00 = $293.25ea

Pretty Pricey..

That's for the top level tube. They have 2 levels below that. Not sure how you get 3 levels of quality out of the same tube line.

heiney9 · January 31

I am glad someone is taking the time and putting in the effort to make new tubes. But they are expensive and obviously positioned as a boutique product. I bet they are high quality, just not sure how they sound.

Toolfan66 · January 31

They definitely come off as a boutique product, you can’t purchase them from common tube outlets.
They make the LinLai’s that much better of a buy for new production tubes..

pearsall001 · January 31

Thanks for all the information guys! Yeah they do indeed seem pricey. I'll keep my eyes open for something more reasonable.
Any specific tube vendors you like to deal with?

heiney9 · January 31

So many have gone defunct.

There is Brent Jesse. He's solid, but I've noticed his stock dwindling and prices going up......but what prices aren't going up.

Viva Tubes - Again NOS tube stock is dwindling and prices have gone through the roof.

Tube World - his prices for some stuff is looney bin high, IMO.

TC tubes, prices are decent, not a lot of NOS left. But he has some good 6SN7 pairs

These are very nice 6SN7's for not a lot of money, IMO

https://www.tctubes.com/RCA-6SN7GTB-matched-pair-1950.aspx

H9

pearsall001 · January 31

Thanks Brock, I'll check them all out.

pitdogg2 · January 31

Over the years I've done real well from sellers on ebay.

heiney9 · January 31

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Over the years I've done real well from sellers on ebay.

I've bought 97% of my tubes off Ebay and I think in 20 years I've only had a few bad situations. Over time, reading ads over and over you know what to look for. Many times (most times) I've had to ask several questions about the tubes for sale. Like, codes, plate type, getter type, etc to verify what the seller has.

By nature I'm cheap......err I mean a responsible buyer, so I have been willing to wait for exactly what I was looking for, and a price I was willing to pay. Sellers with dodgy answers, or no response, I move on to the next seller.

I've posted this site before. He's more about how they sound vs. highly detailed visual cues. But it's been very helpful and I mostly agree with his opinions.

https://tubemaze.info/

He's a solid seller and he knows what he has so his prices are higher than typical Ebay seller, but not as high as some of the crazy NOS dealer/sellers.

NOS tubes are disappearing and I've seen crazy prices on Ebay, but in general the crazy priced sellers don't sell much, so you see the ad for months and sometimes years.

Look at feedback and how long they've been selling.

H9

P.s. IMO, with Old Stock tubes they don't need to be unused. The true NOS tubes that have never been played are through the roof in price. Good used pulls of the exact same tube is much more economically priced (usually). Used tubes will last a very long time, so buying slightly used is the best practice.

mhardy6647 · January 31

FWIW, I concur wholeheartedly with @heiney9's valedictory comment above.
Nothin' wrong with good used pulls.

pitdogg2 · January 31

Sellers with dodgy answers, or no response, I move on to the next seller.

heiney9 · January 31

I'm still amazed, and one of the reason I'm so fascinated by vacuum tubes, is what a time capsule they represent. Hard to believe in this throw away world these little glass bottles are still doing their thing 50-60-75 years later.

Its so fascinating to think where and with whom these tubes have been.

H9

Toolfan66 · January 31

heiney9 wrote: »

I'm still amazed, and one of the reason I'm so fascinated by vacuum tubes, is what a time capsule they represent. Hard to believe in this throw away world these little glass bottles are still doing their thing 50-60-75 years later.

Its so fascinating to think where and with whom these tubes have been.

H9

Agreed. 👍

The only thing on my end is owning the SLP-05, and me being very anal on how things not only sound but how it looks as well, it’s not easy to find a full nice set of tubes for this unit.
Not saying I don’t have nice full sets, I do, but hunting is tough when you’re as anal and obsessed like an addict looking for that perfect high as I am..

The LinLai’s have helped slow that roll for me, they are fantastic tubes, they sound great, and look great on this unit.
I would be all in for trying the Ray’s if they were closer to the same cost of the LinLai’s, not worth it for the price owning the Cary..

Yes, I said I have nice full sets.. LOL!!

invalid · January 31

The Linlai is really great sounding tube, it didn't last quite as long as my kenrad's but still lasted over 2 years when powered up 24/7, the kenrad's still test good after over 3 years of continuous 24/7 besides when I go on vacation or thunderstorms. The best tube seller of NOS tube I know of is Andy at vintage tube service, he coined the phrase chrome Dome back in the 70,s.

pitdogg2 · January 31

Nice !! Just added vintage tube service to my favorites!!

invalid · January 31

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Nice !! Just added vintage tube service to my favorites!!

You have to be patient with vintage tube service he does take longer to ship tubes than most other vendors. He tried hiring people many years ago and they didn't do the job as well as he did, he is a perfectionist.

muncybob · September 6

So just curious, has anyone actually given Ray Tubes a go?

Toolfan66 · September 6

Funny, I was just looking at them again last night, I will more than likely give them a go sometime in the near future, I’m just focused on a few other things at the moment.

Paid off the 4 Runner last month, and super close to paying the house off, that will be our Christmas present to ourselves this year..

muncybob · September 7

Good job! I will always remember the mortgage burning party in our back yard,
I may give the 12AX7 tubes from them shot. I don;t see the 6DJ8s I need on their menu though.

heiney9 · September 7

I haven't used them, but I personally think they are overpriced. I'd certainly love to know about this amazing process they've stumbled onto. Where are these made, who is making them, what specialized equipment are they using, etc.

The art of making exemplary tubes (that's how the marketing reads) just doesn't happen over night. You need the right raw materials, expertise and equipment.

Where is/did it all come from? Tube making and associated equipment has been on the decline for 20+ years. There are about 3 places that still manufacture tubes.
I'm going to call it as I see it, sensational marketing and a money grab to a certain degree. Ray tubes are the same tubes you can buy from JJ, Psvave and Lilani & New Sensor. Those are the only players to my knowledge.

I don't believe these are some SUPER versions from one of those manufacturers. Just fancy packaging, fancy script a fantastic back story, but the same ole, same ole.

I hope I'm wrong, prove me wrong as this is just my opinion and I'm too cheap to buy a bunch and find out.

H9

heiney9 · September 7

Marketing that is contradictory

That's why we partner with manufacturers around the world to build tubes to our exact specifications.

We spend twice as long as most manufacturers on the most critical step of all: creating the vacuum inside our tubes.

Do you make your own tubes or do you source from manufacturers around the world?

Ray Tubes which are manufactured elsewhere have 3 levels of performance. They all exceed NOS tubes in quality and sound, yet not a single manufacturer that makes the actual tubes for them says the same? If the manufacturer can make these ultra high quality tubes for Ray, why can't they for their own lines of tubes they sell? I've heard several of the tubes from the manufacturers that make tubes for Ray and they don't best many of the NOS tubes I own (IMO).

These are just my logical rantings.....lol

H9

pitdogg2 · September 7

I concur with your logic Brock.

heiney9 · September 7

I'm not saying they're necessarily bad tubes. I just think the marketing is a lot of hubris and they are overpriced.
On a positive note a buyer can have confidence in knowing they back them for a full year. I'd like to hear from anyone who has submitted a warranty claim to hear the conditions. They also are probably really well vetted and your getting consistency. But you're paying a premium. Perhaps that peace of mind is worth the high cost. Who's to say you can't get the same vetting and consistency direct from the manufacturer?

Anyway food for thought, my opinion and I'm not trying to tag on Ray Tubes. Just trying to logically look at the situation of tube production.

H9

Toolfan66 · September 7

And quality NOS old tubes are what? Cheap and easy to find these days?

Over priced and harder to find. And are they truly NOS?

Pros and cons both ways.

Either way you go, you have to trust your gut, and hope for the best.

Edit: I’m not saying Ray Tubes are not over priced, they are. So are the LINLAI’s IMO.

heiney9 · September 7

25 years of buying used old stock tubes......all with 1 exception are still going strong. Just like any other purchase, do your research, buy from quality sellers and pay what you feel is appropriate. For me, I look for deals.

I rarely will chase true NOS tubes because the seller thinks they have a gold mine. I buy strong used pulls and those are just as good for a fraction of the price.

I agree, even excellent used pulls are drying up and have gone up in cost. But, there are still deals to be had if you're willing to be diligent in the search and patient.

I agree, trust your gut.

I just bought (3) pairs of NOS tubes 1 pair of 1950's Brimar Black Plate d getter Military12AT7, 1 pair triple mica bp and a pair of 1955 Tung Sol 12AT7WA black plate d getter for $235 shipped from the UK. $80 a pair for true NOS tubes that sell on Ebay for $200-300 pr for the Brimars and $150 for the Tung Sol. When I say "sell", I mean listed at that price forever, never sell.

H9

RAY Tube Brand

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