Ray's Tubes

[rollo]

Hey Guys the real deal . Sound great. EL34, 12AX7, sound as good or better than many NOS tubes I have used. Check them out.Made the Audio Hungary C-200 Preamp sound VG. Bested the NOS Tungstrom.


charles

[Nick B]

Hey Guys the real deal . Sound great. EL34, 12AX7, sound as good or better than many NOS tubes I have used. Check them out.Made the Audio Hungary C-200 Preamp sound VG. Bested the NOS Tungstrom.


charles

Charles,

I have looked into the Ray tubes as I am considering a tube amp. Am thinking a Miller Audio hot rodded ST 70 or an AN kit or something similar. I had a very good result on my back this year. But not interested in 50+ lb amps. More to follow soon.

Forgot to ask if you have heard the Ray Select and/or the Ray Reserve.

Nick

[Jack]

Nick

My opinion as someone whose been buying, selling and listening to tubes for many years the Ray tubes are just another internet forum over hyped Chinese tube.  Same thing happened last year with Linlai tubes.   Bottom line is that they are just re-branded Psvane or Shuguang tubes with big markups. I own a pair of Linlai tubes and a pair of the overhyped Shuguang WE copies and contrary to the rave reviews from a tube preamp maker we all know they are nothing special.  Any quality NOS or ANOS tube will demolish them in sound quality and longevity.

[Nick B]

Thanks, Jack. I appreciate your thoughts as you have way more experience in tubes than I do. Yes, I've read some rave reviews on this particular line of tubes. I brought the tubes up partly because Bryan Miller really likes the ultra expensive Ray reserve tubes. He wasn't pushing that particular brand. He just heard them and felt that the very tight matching requirements made the tubes sound better.

If I do get a tube amp, I would be a little bit more inclined to get current production tubes rather than NOS. I do know that you have concerns about the reliability of some of these tubes, especially the Chinese ones. So I'm just gathering some information to make a decision down the road if I go the route of a tube amp. The ST 70 that Brian Miller offers has seven tubes total. Three of the 6NS7 type and then either the EL 34 or KT 77.

[Jack]

Nick

For the KT-77 or EL-34 tubes you are pretty much stuck with new production tubes unless you want to break the bank.  However for the three 6SN7 tubes you can still get three quality NOS tubes from Andy or Brent for a lot less than the Ray Reserve tubes. I am assuming that in your case just like it was for me if Florida, this will be a Winter amp so you won't be running it full time.  The trio of NOS tubes would likely last you five to ten years depending on how hard a clone ST-70 runs tubes.  Do you know if those three tubes are all input or driver tubes or a combination of both? In the 20+ years I have been running NOS 6SN7 tubes from my stash in amps and preamps I have had only one tube go bad and that was an RCA tube like the one of the pair I sent you.  And like in your case it just quit working. I've never had a failure with any other brand. There are only four companies making all of these "readilly available" tubes no matter what name is one them.

[Nick B]

Jack,

I am fine with new tubes for the KT 77s or EL 34s. Yes, this would likely be a winter amp. As to the 3 6ns7 tubes, Bryan I believe said one is for each channel and the middle one is shared between the two channels. I believe I got that correct and I am unable to tell you anymore.

I am ok with NOS tubes. That RCA going out on my Supratek in conjunction with the one  Rythmik sub failing at the same time caused me some grief. But things happen and it worked out.

[P.I.]

Yes

Jack,

I am fine with new tubes for the KT 77s or EL 34s. Yes, this would likely be a winter amp. As to the 3 6ns7 tubes, Bryan I believe said one is for each channel and the middle one is shared between the two channels. I believe I got that correct and I am unable to tell you anymore.

I am ok with NOS tubes. That RCA going out on my Supratek in conjunction with the one  Rythmik sub failing at the same time caused me some grief. But things happen and it worked out.

One of the 6SN7 (center tube) is the input/driver and the outboard tubes are phase splitters...

I prefer Gold Lion KT77 over new stock EL34.  6CA7 have a different presentation.  Rolling tubes is the fun part! 😁

[Nick B]

Yes

Jack,

I am fine with new tubes for the KT 77s or EL 34s. Yes, this would likely be a winter amp. As to the 3 6ns7 tubes, Bryan I believe said one is for each channel and the middle one is shared between the two channels. I believe I got that correct and I am unable to tell you anymore.

I am ok with NOS tubes. That RCA going out on my Supratek in conjunction with the one  Rythmik sub failing at the same time caused me some grief. But things happen and it worked out.

One of the 6SN7 (center tube) is the input/driver and the outboard tubes are phase splitters...

I prefer Gold Lion KT77 over new stock EL34.  6CA7 have a different presentation.  Rolling tubes is the fun part! 😁

Thanks Dave for explaining the 6ns7 function on Bryan Miller's version. I am very interested in his maxxed out ST 70.  My main concern is will it be as quiet as Leo's Starkrimson Ultra. Am looking for some tube magic. But not at the expense of losing resolution.

[ejk]

Jack,

I am fine with new tubes for the KT 77s or EL 34s. Yes, this would likely be a winter amp. As to the 3 6ns7 tubes, Bryan I believe said one is for each channel and the middle one is shared between the two channels. I believe I got that correct and I am unable to tell you anymore.

I am ok with NOS tubes. That RCA going out on my Supratek in conjunction with the one  Rythmik sub failing at the same time caused me some grief. But things happen and it worked out.

Is there actually a winter where you live?

[Nick B]

Jack,

I am fine with new tubes for the KT 77s or EL 34s. Yes, this would likely be a winter amp. As to the 3 6ns7 tubes, Bryan I believe said one is for each channel and the middle one is shared between the two channels. I believe I got that correct and I am unable to tell you anymore.

I am ok with NOS tubes. That RCA going out on my Supratek in conjunction with the one  Rythmik sub failing at the same time caused me some grief. But things happen and it worked out.

Is there actually a winter where you live?

Yes! High of 50° today and low of 43° tonight. Nearly Donner Pass conditions!! 🥶

[Jack]

Low here today of 24 and high of 46.

[ejk]

Real feel 22 at the moment

[Nick B]

42° low and 52° high. It has been raining steadily. The house is heated and the college football playoff games are on, so it's a good New Year's  🏈