Anyone have experience with Ruby tubes?

[misterwhizzy]

While we're discussing this, has anyone tried PSVane tubes? I don't have any particular love or hate for the Shuguang tubes, but are these better, worse, ... ?

 

[Ascension]

I have two sets of Ruby tubes in different amps, great tubes. Absolutely nothing wrong with them.

As mentioned they are a rebrander, so they get their tubes from the big three. Which one is not relevant really, as Ruby matches or rates the tubes they get. The tube you get will be tested to be of known quality.

And for that matter, even China-made tubes are GREAT. Hate to say it, but they make good tubes in comparison to the other two major factories. Where I think the difference comes in is QC. JJ and the EH New Sensor factory have a higher level of QC and have fewer duds in the marketplace. When someone says they don't like X tube, there is almost a 33% chance it came from one of three factors. If someone says they hate JJ then they prefer Shaguang tubes and EH-made tubes over JJ. Etc. etc.

That said, Ruby tubes are great tubes, because they are tubes that work.

Have also had great luck with Ruby Tubes. Have 6L6 Rubys in both of my PRS amps right now and if I remember right have a set of Ruby STR EL 34's in my Carvin X 50 also. Put me in the camp of not being crazy about JJ Pre amp tubes in many amps. I find them to be very dark and dull sounding in some amps but are great to tame a really bright and harsh amp so they have their place. Have had really good luck overall with Chinese tubes on reliability which is more than I can say with some of the JJ power tubes in particular their EL84's..
Biggest tip is to buy from a reputable vendor who tests grades and stands behind what they sell.

 

[Ascension]

While we're discussing this, has anyone tried PSVane tubes? I don't have any particular love or hate for the Shuguang tubes, but are these better, worse, ... ?

Have seen some stuff on those online and they look promising but have yet to see and hear them in the real world. Interested in them also.

 

[beaubrummels]

And for that matter, even China-made tubes are GREAT. Hate to say it, but they make good tubes in comparison to the other two major factories. Where I think the difference comes in is QC. JJ and the EH New Sensor factory have a higher level of QC and have fewer duds in the marketplace.

This is true. Particularly KT-66, since my understanding is Shuguang bought the Mullard tooling to make them. Whether Golden Dragons or Valve Art, it's the same tube, it's just with VA you might get a dud.

 

[Ewizard]

An up-and-coming tube company is Psvane. Who makes those tubes? I can almost guarantee one of the big three is banging out their tubes for them.

 

[beaubrummels]

An up-and-coming tube company is Psvane. Who makes those tubes? I can almost guarantee one of the big three is banging out their tubes for them.

Shuguang, reportedly.

 

[Top-L]

I was just wondering if anyone has tried any Ruby tubes and what was your opinion. I'm looking at some Ruby 12ax7cs HG tubes and was just looking for opinions. They seem to be priced pretty well. Thanks for any feedback.

I have never had great luck with ruby. They always work, but they are always a touch darker with a touch less output. I have a ton of them in my part box. They are 15-20 years old.

Tubes are graded and I think rubys are never A rated tubes. They are consistently B rated, imo.

Best graded tubes I have had are GT ECC83s.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Shuguang, reportedly.

I think I read it was another factory started by ex-Shuguang guys. I also heard that not everything written on the internet is true, though, so I can’t say for certain.

 

[dave74]

Freidman is switching over to Psvane once he is out of the eh el34.

 

[beaubrummels]

I think I read it was another factory started by ex-Shuguang guys. I also heard that not everything written on the internet is true, though, so I can’t say for certain.

Hence the 'reportedly.' I read it was a subdivision within Shuguang.

 

[omni 1]

Some years back I re tubed my Dual rectifier with all new Ruby tubes. I had not problems at all. 6l6s and 12ax7s. Rectifier tubes were still perfect since I never use em. Now , that was about 7 years ago. I can tell you I liked them way more then the Groove Tubes I had in there. GT tubes wore out quick for some reason. The power tubes.