Ray Tubes

Rethinking What a New-Production Tube Can Be.

Over the years I’ve been fortunate to track down a few unicorn new old stock vacuum tubes from Tung-Sol, Telefunken and RCA—pristine examples that measured perfectly. I’ve also been sold tubes as “NOS” that, with proper testing, proved ready for the dumpster. And I’ve bought brand-new, straight-run tubes sold as a “matched pair” simply because both passed basic QC at the factory.

The challenge is that most owners of tube equipment chose it because they love how it sounds—not because they wanted to become experts in tube testing and matching. Buying replacement tubes shouldn’t require that expertise just to have confidence that what you’re putting into your amplifier will allow it to sound its best.

Hero image of a pair of Ray Tubes EL84s, one standing, one on its side with the Ray Tubes green box lid as a backdrop.

Built Differently From the Beginning.

Ray Tubes technical drawing done in charcoal againt a white background showing three views of a 12AT7: front, back, and bottom with annotations.

Ray Tubes was founded on the belief that buying great tubes should be routine, and that retailers like Backbeat Audio should have a trusted source they can recommend with confidence. Their process starts well before testing and matching. The company develops its own specifications for each tube and chooses manufacturing partners according to their strengths with the particular tube being produced. Its engineers are involved on the factory floor during production, with control extending to details such as a 48-hour vacuum process—double the industry norm, along with specialized anode coatings, and silver-bearing, lead-free solder.

Only then does selection begin. Every tube that carries the Ray Tubes name goes through a seven-step quality-control process that includes microscopic inspection, a 24-hour burn-in, measurement of critical operating parameters, consistency matching, microphonics testing and listening in an amplifier. Those measurements are recorded against the tube’s serial number.

The distinction matters: quality control isn’t being asked to make up for what didn’t happen during manufacturing. It’s the final step in a process designed to produce a better tube in the first place.

CORE, SELECT and RESERVE

Ray Tubes organizes its lineup into three series: CORE, SELECT and RESERVE. The idea is straightforward: your amplifier determines the tube you need; the series lets you choose how far you want to take it.

CORE brings the Ray Tubes approach to the fundamentals: burned in, tested and matched. Available in 12AX7, 12AU7, 12AT7 and EL84, this is the place to start when replacing aging or failed factory tubes.

SELECT is the heart of the range. It spans all Ray Tubes families, from small-signal tubes through power tubes and rectifiers, and adds further selection along with construction details including gold-plated pins. A clear step up from standard-issue tubes, and the place to start if your goal is to find out what your gear is truly capable of.

RESERVE is the flagship series, offered in 6SN7, EL34, KT88 and 300B. These tubes receive Ray Tubes’ highest level of production and selection and are available exclusively through Flagship Dealers.

Backbeat Audio is a Flagship Dealer, with access to the complete Ray Tubes lineup. For questions or to place an order, give us a call.

Beauty shot showing an assortment of Ray Tubes boxes in green with orange lettering.

Backed for 12 Months

Every Ray Tubes vacuum tube carries a 12-month transferable warranty. If one tube in a matched pair or quad fails under warranty, Ray Tubes replaces the complete matched set—not just the failed tube.

For more about the company and its approach to manufacturing and testing, learn more at Ray Tubes →