Ray Tubes Product Reviews

RESERVE KT88

Positive Feedback - Tom Gibbs

The RESERVE KT88’s presented this music with a level of you-are-there realism that’s only surpassed by what I hear from my 300B amp… it’s a next-level listening experience!

The RESERVE KT88 brought an effortless sense of scale and authority to every recording, with a richness and presence that kept me glued to the music.

8/17/2025

RESERVE KT88 | RESERVE EL34

Pursuit Perfect System - Terry Ellis

[RESERVE KT88] With the Reserve KT88s, there was loads of richness, fullness, and just pleasing tone coming through from the TS34. This is good sound — really good integrated amplifier sound.

[RESERVE KT88] The way the music was a little more relaxed, yet still rich and full, made me enjoy the TS34 a lot with the Reserve KT88s.

[RESERVE EL34] The TS34 with the Reserve EL34s sounded very obviously richer and more tonally full and pleasing, especially in the vocals.

[RESERVE EL34] I could now hear better why people say EL34s do special things for vocals — fuller bass, sweeter treble, and a more relaxed quality to the music.

8/12/2025

RESERVE KT88

Tharbamar

Ray Tubes Reserve KT88 tubes are one of the best modern high-end tubes that money can buy. I can totally wholeheartedly recommend it to you to try it.

8/8/2025

RESERVE EL34

Audio Satori

Modern production tubes often ask us to compromise. To accept weak QC, exaggerated voicing, or inflated pricing dressed up in vintage nostalgia. The Ray Tubes RESERVE EL34s are the exception. They’re not “great for a new tube.” They’re just great.

7/21/2025

RESERVE KT88

Joy of Vinyl - Rick Coste

So, how do the Ray Tubes stack up? Well, they're excellent. They fall right in the sweet spot. I can't wait to hear how they sound after 100 hours.

7/09/2025

SELECT 12AT7

Pursuit Perfect System - Terry Ellis

It hit me with a different emotion where the music made more sense to me because it felt even more authentic.

The Ray Tubes in the P75 kind of just help it hit more of its performance potential.

6/17/2025

SELECT 12AT7

Positive Feedback - Tom Gibbs

The RAY Select tubes rolled into the A12 Classic elevated every one of my system performance metrics to a significantly higher level.

6/12/2025

RESERVE EL34 | SELECT 12AU7

Positive Feedback - Tom Gibbs

I thought the stock tubes provided playback that was as good as it gets. Replacing the pair of input tubes was an eye-opener, but replacing the entire tube complement with Select and Reserve tubes has improved my impression of this amplifier by an order of magnitude. The RAY Tube upgrade has so transformed my listening experiences, I feel as though I easily could be listening to an amp that retails for more than double the price of the EVO 300.

6/09/2025

RESERVE EL34 | RESERVE 6SN7

Joy of Vinyl - Rick Coste

These tubes have stopped my obsession over New Old Stock. I have not experienced holographic sound like I do with these tubes before.

These tubes have changed my experience of listening to my records... I really just want to listen to them all again.

1/12/2025

SELECT 12AX7

Don Sachs on AudioCircle

I can definitely say this tube is about as close to the standard grey glass PSvane tube it is based on as an old vw beetle is to the best Porsche! This is a SERIOUSLY GOOD 6SN7, easily the best I have heard to date in the Raven, and probably the best 6SN7 tube I have ever heard, at least in a preamp application.

11/29/2024

RESERVE KT88

Joe Cannistraci

If you're looking for premium sound at a premium price and not wanting to scour the earth for matched pairs of premium NOS power tubes, Ray Tubes RESERVE KT88s will get you there, and that is as close to irrefutable as you can get - well done!!

11/20/2024

RESERVE 6SN7 | SELECT 12AU7

Reviews by WaveTheory

[RESERVE 6SN7] These are Ray 6SN7 RESERVE… with them in, the Baltic 3 became the most resolving DAC I have on hand, the most holographic DAC I have on hand, and probably has the most realistic, natural, and organic timbre to it — top to bottom.

[SELECT 12AU7] I have put in Ray Tubes 12AU7 SELECT back here… it just opened it up even more. I got more detail retrieval, I got more resolution, I got more holography, I got even better timbre — all that without really sacrificing much in the way of tone or that low-end heft.

11/28/2024

SELECT 12AX7

plumberstrummer on The Gear Page

A real winner! I am very glad to be able to get tubes at this grade and level from a currently in production tube. To not have to keep on scraping the bottom of the NOS barrel is a huge relief. I’ve been very unhappy with the tubes I’ve been getting lately, and this is a breath of hopeful fresh air.

Most notably, and surprisingly, the high end was simultaneously more hi fidelity AND less harsh. It was really noticeable and that totally sold me on these tubes. The noise was definitely quieter as well.

10/23/2024

SELECT EL34

Deleeh on Head-Fi

Very well built, very good sound for a new stock tube, very good price.

10/18/2024

SELECT 6SN7

ecoustics - W. Jennings

At only $64.99 each, the Ray Tubes SELECT 6SN7 vacuum tubes may deliver the dynamics and authentic sound you’ve been seeking.

10/05/2024

SELECT 12AU7

THE HEADPHONE EXPERIENCE - William Murdock

The Ray Tubes bring more dynamic, a little bit more punchy in sounding. I love them and they sound outstanding.

9/8/2024

SELECT 12AU7

Positive Feedback - Tom Gibbs

I'm giving the 12AU7 SELECT my highest recommendation; at their price point, they're definitely among the best of the best.

8/30/2024

SELECT KT88 | SELECT 12AU7 | SELECT 12AX7

Tharbamar

[SELECT KT88] The bass quality is deeper and richer compared to stock tubes and even compared to PSVANE Horizon series … A tubier sound and richer sound signature.

[SELECT 12AX7] Slightly clearer and slightly more precise midbands and vocals.

[SELECT 12AU7] Clear, precise... Refinement all over the frequency range while still giving me that nice and rich tube sound signature.

8/30/2024

SELECT EL34 | SELECT KT88

Passion for Sound

The EL34 SELECT tubes deliver a better sense of the attack and the energy and the clarity around the finger clicks. The KT88 SELECT tubes are always energetic and dynamic. I've been really pleasantly surprised by what the KT88 SELECT brings to the table or brings to the amplifier.

8/24/2024

SELECT 6SN7

THE HEADPHONE EXPERIENCE - William Murdock

The 6SN7 SELECT does have just slightly cleaner mid-range slightly more detail in the mid-range a little bit more sound stage width more clarity and detail a bit sharper focus sound.

8/8/2024

SELECT 12AX7

Deleeh on Head-Fi

The 12AX7 SELECT does an excellent job here, it brings in some bloom and warmth. The 12AX7 SELECT was very superior in sound for me in many areas.

8/4/2024

SELECT 12AX7

Passion for Sound

The 12AX7 Select is a wonderful tube for those of you that are looking for a rich and tuby sound.

7/21/2024

RESERVE 6SN7

Reviews by WaveTheory

These may very well be the best vacuum tubes that I personally have had the privilege of listening to.

7/1/2024

RESERVE 6SN7

Hi-Fi Cave

The Ray Tubes 6SN7 RESERVE has the best sound stage deep wide very layered.

5/31/2024

SELECT 6SN7

Audio Masterclass

With the 6SN7 SELECT tubes, the sound is warm and clean.

5/27/2024

SELECT 12AU7

project86 on Head-Fi

The Ray Tubes just bring out a little bit more of everything, from spacious airy treble to low-frequency solidity to a more convincingly open soundstage. Clean and clear sound with just the right amount of warmth, open and spacious, very low noise floor.

5/27/2024

SELECT 12AU7 | SELECT 6SN7

Currawong

The Ray 6SN7 SELECT tubes are a very neutral-sounding tubes with a reasonable amount of detail and they're very suited to kind of mid-range amps.

5/18/2024

SELECT EL34

THE HEADPHONE EXPERIENCE - William Murdock

A warmer mid-range, more punch to the bass… throughout the frequence range it just sounds a little bit more focused, a little bit sharper, a little bit cleaner.

5/6/2024

SELECT 12AU7

Sound Perfection Reviews

I consider these a safe and excellent buy for those worried about the variability in NOS valve quality. These just work.

4/20/2024

SELECT 6SN7

Tharbamar

The Ray 6SN7 SELECT tubes are highly recommendable.

4/20/2024

RESERVE 6SN7

Wes S on Head-Fi

The Apos Ray 6SN7 RESERVE is one of the best options sonically if one is looking for a 6SN7.

4/18/2024

SELECT 12AU7

Tharbamar

The Ray 12AU7 SELECT tubes are very impressive.

4/16/2024

SELECT 6SN7

iiWi Reviews

They reveal plenty of details...edges are quick and snappy and very precise, while tone texture is quite obvious...they're very open in high frequencies....the sensation of air and space and big soundstage is great.

3/19/2024

SELECT 6SN7

The Honest Audiophile

It's not quite as thick and full as other tubes I've heard. It has a more airy presentation....it has more of a focus on details and resolution and tone and timbre....and it has a great width and depth and layering. I was rather impressed.

2/25/2024

RESERVE 6SN7

Passion for Sound

It is a phenomenal tube, fantastic and really high-quality tubes.

2/22/2024

SELECT 6SN7

Sound Perfection Reviews

These are an easy recommendation for me.

2/18/2024

SELECT 6SN7

Prime Audio Reviews

The Ray 6SN7 SELECT vacuum tubes offer a markedly warm and smooth sound, introducing a lush tubeyness that emphasizes the midrange and captivates with its richness. Additionally, they provide a subtle touch of euphony, enhancing vocals to be more upfront and intimate. 

2/14/2024

SELECT 6SN7

Prime Audio Reviews

Quite a revelation. Never in the past have a heard such a significant change from stock tubes. They romanticize the sound, move away from clinical exactness and   favor a musical presentation. They provide lush tubiness.

2/14/2024

SELECT 6SN7

Deleeh on Head-Fi

Good quality, hard to beat tube at this price.

2/7/2024

SELECT 12AU7

ThanatosVI on Head-Fi

The Ray 12AU7 SELECT have excellent sound quality, extremely low noise floor, great bass extension and quantity, enchanting mids, extended but not overly bright treble and slightly warm tilt.

2/7/2024

SELECT 6SN7

Passion for Sound

Clean-sounding, dynamic, and energetic. It's got sparkle and resolution in the top end. I love the balance it brings. The bass is full and tight and full of body. A great sense of texture and clarity at the top end. I like that it's neutral-sounding.

2/6/2024

SELECT 6SN7

THE HEADPHONE EXPERIENCE - William Murdock

The Ray 6SN7 SELECT tube have a warm rich sound, excellent clarity and detail, and a wide and a deep sound stage.

1/28/2024

SELECT 12AU7 | SELECT 6SN7

Reviews By WaveTheory

The 12AU7 tubes are very good. These are excellent tubes. The 6sn7 Select does a little bit of the warming and thickening of the sound that is stereotypical of the tube sound.

1/27/2024

SELECT 12AU7

Deleeh on Head-Fi

Sound
qualityVery good workmanship
Modern packaging
Price definitely reasonable for what it offers.

12/26/2023

SELECT 12AU7

Evshrug on Head-Fi

Quickly sound great right out of the box, even before the recommended 6-hour burn in.
Extremely resistant to EMI and vibrational ringing.

11/29/2023

SELECT 12AU7

iiWi Reviews

These proved to be so good, so resolving, yet never harsh, never annoying...instead they combine really smooth and natural sounds with higher-resolving, really open, really spacious sounds that we expect from great tubes.

11/24/2023

SELECT 12AU7

GadgetryTech

The Ray 12AU7 SELECT tubes have a remarkable change both in resolution and stage, smoother, more resolving, and more energetic.

11/16/2023

SELECT 12AU7

Joshua Valour

In one word: coherent...compared to stock tubes they're more clear. They have a more well-defined and solid bass response. The real differences lie in the upper mid-range and treble response. The fidelity of the upper mid-range is actually quite significantly better than that of the stock tubes....the sound-staging width is a lot more substantial.

9/25/2023

SELECT 12AU7

ecoustics

It proved to be a good option that offers some of the warmth you might want from a tube but without a loss of detail or clarity.

9/23/2023

SELECT 12AU7

Passion for Sound

A brilliant, brilliant new production tube. I don't have anything negative to say. I can't find any cons or negative with the Apos Ray tubes.

9/19/2023