Ruby Tuesdays

[Rockmore]

Are these Ruby tubes any good and would you actually use these in any of your amps?

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...309&srchPromo=

[tubelab.com]

Ruby tubes are relabeled Chinese or Russian tubes. They may pre-screen or test their tubes. I have seen both Russian and Chinese tubes with the Ruby label on them, so you don't really know what you are getting. They are marketing their tubes toward the guitar amp market, and at one time I saw an ad that proclaimed "Carlos Santana uses Ruby tubes." I have a pair of Ruby 6L6GC's that are Chinese Shuguangs. They were removed from a Bandmaster because the owner wanted to try something different. I have used them in all of my 6L6GC experiments where they have been subjected to some extreme overload, and they are still cranking along after 3 years.

You can probably find the exact same tube somewhere without the Ruby name for a cheaper price.

[flysig]

I've put a Ruby Tubes 12AX into a Fender Super Champ XD. It improved the sound, taking away some of the harshness of the stock 12AX7. Probably, yes, you could find the same exact tube from the original manufacturer a bit cheaper. I'd buy from them again, or I'd do a bunch of research on user reviews and then I'd buy from a reputable source for the OEM part.

I look at it as paying the premium for them to do the testing and matching of the tubes. I've not heard a bad review of their product, but you do pay a bit more for their service.

[Rockmore]

Rock on you guitar amp guys...

Was wondering from any higher end home stereo amp experts here
about the Ruby's in the same (not guitar amps..)

[bacon665]

You can look at the performance of all the original manufacturers and then set your standards for the lowest tube they use.... (also you can do the research on that poor tube)

[oldmanStrat]

Originally posted by Rockmore
Rock on you guitar amp guys...

Was wondering from any higher end home stereo amp experts here
about the Ruby's in the same (not guitar amps..)

Tubelab may be a guitar amp guy - but he also designs DIY tube hifi amps - and does some serious tube experiments from time to time.

Check out his site.

[rknize]

Ruby, like Valve Art, Groove Tubes, and many others, simply stamp their label on one of the current tube factory's output. All of the Ruby tubes I have seen are Shuguang. Same with Valve Art. Shuguang are hit-or-miss, but are much better than they used to be.

If you give more information about which tubes you are looking at, maybe you'll get some more specific recommendations.

[Rockmore]

Just asking and wanting some GENERAL feedback about them Russ-
Kind of figured they were Shuguang. But wanted to know for sure. I have stock 'factory' EL34's in one of our 4 year old 202A's and thought the prices for them @ Parts-Express were very reasonable when looking around for some possible recession buster replacement prices.

[rknize]

Well IN GENERAL , Shuguang's quality has improved over the years. They used to be famous for early tube failure due to build quality issues and marginal designs. I remember their beam tubes being referred to as firecrackers and I did see a pair of KT-88s sparkle from loose bits of cathode coating in there. The only failure I've had are an entire quad of 6V6GTs in my Thomas amp. Finding a new production 6V6 that could tolerate well over 300V on the plate was a challenge back then. The EH came out and solved that, but I had to use NOS at the time.

I have a set of Valve Art EL34s and they sound very good. They have an oversized bottle compared to "normal" EL34s. I've had no issues with them. I've also used their 5AR4s without issue in smaller amps.

[Enzo]

Ruby tubes are not just luck of the draw, nor are they whatever is popular this week. it is not a secret they rebrand tubes. The letters they add tell of the tube's origin. There is no "Ruby Tube" of a type, they sell several - your choice, not random.

In the current catalog:
12AX7A are available either in several selected grades from the Chinese factory, and also "Tesla/JJ."

Their 6L6 offerings include:
6L6GCMSTR - their Chinese tube
5881R - SOvtek
5881WXT+ - Sovtek
6L6GCEH - from EH
6L6GCC - "Winged C" Svetlanas
6L6GCCZ - JJs

In general, a CZ added means JJ, EH is self explanatory, C tends to mean Chinese. Y used to mean EI tubes, but I don;t see them in the current listing.

I have purchased Ruby branded tubes of various types for my shop for years, and have always had good service from the company and the tubes. I purchase tubes elsewhere as well. I sometimes find Ruby tubes cheaper elsewher than direct from Ruby.

I can buy untested bulk tubes from them, but I only buy matched sets of power tubes, so they are tested and characterized. Likewise the graded dual triodes are also tested and characterized. That is more important to me than saving a few cents each or a dollar. But you can find the same tubes elsewhere, yes.