Ray Tubes
Ray Tubes 300B SELECT Vacuum Tube
$299.00 - $1,299.00
Description
SELECT 2A3
The SELECT 2A3 is the best 2A3 vacuum tube you’ll ever need. It goes above and beyond the baseline with more involved production and stricter selection, all in pursuit of superior sound. The SELECT Collection brings out the best in all your favourites.
Hand selected and tested, the Ray Tubes SELECT 2A3 features gold pins for corrosion resistance and improved conduction. The SELECT Collection is a substantial upgrade from both New Old Stock and other new production tubes. Fewer than 5% of production meets our standards.
The 2A3 was introduced by RCA in the 1930s for use in large radios, public address systems, and early hi-fi setups. Despite its notoriously complex filament, the 2A3 saw widespread use in military applications and in the post-war high-fi boom. It was also a favourite of Paul Klipsch, who in 1946 invented his namesake Klipschorn loudspeaker.
Sound Characteristics
The SELECT 2A3 takes the iconic 2A3 attributes of high resolution, tonal purity, and minimal coloration and adds the SELECT series’ signature refinement and tonal balance. Whether in low-power amps or high-fidelity systems, the SELECT 2A3 is an ideal choice for audiophiles who seek truth in sound and emotional connection in music.
Bass Performance
Tight, articulate, and naturally paced. Bass extension is moderate but well-controlled, emphasising definition over brute force. Kick drums, double bass, and cellos sound clean and coherent. Overall, it excels in texture, timing, and integration with the rest of the frequency spectrum.
Midrange Performance
Neutral yet gently warm tonality, with an outstanding sense of resolution. Vocals are intimate and natural. Voices and instruments emerge naturally from the soundstage with a sense of air and dimensionality.
Treble Performance
Remarkable linearity and clarity deliver excellent extension without excessive coloration. Presentation is clean, open, and free from harshness or artificial brightness. Details are precise yet never fatiguing. Overall, well-suited for systems that value realism.
The SELECT Collection
SELECT brings out the best in all your favourites. It goes above and beyond the baseline with more involved production and stricter selection, all in pursuit of superior sound.
Above and Beyond
Every tube we sell is carefully produced and tested to make sure it’s good enough for audio applications. At Ray Tubes, that goes without saying. The SELECT Collection is about more than that. It’s not just good enough for audio—it brings out the best in audio, revealing all those hidden details you thought you’d never hear.
Not being content with industry-standard production methods, we’ve tweaked our manufacturing process. We’ve used better materials—like gold pins for improved durability and longevity. Most importantly, we’ve enlisted audio engineers to listen to our tubes and make sure only the very best get the coveted SELECT label.
The SELECT Collection takes the reliability and consistency of the CORE Collection as its starting point, then sets its sights on one goal: superior, more nuanced sound. Simple as that.
Chosen By Audio Engineers
The SELECT Collection is the best of the best. We know — you’ve heard that before, but we mean it literally. We only sell the best tubes in each of our manufacturing batches. (The others never see the light of day.) SELECT tubes? They’re the best of those.
We don’t trust just anyone to make that choice. It’s about more than gain and transconductance and other electrical characteristics. Those are useful guides, but we know they don’t tell the full story. Instead, we rely on something you can’t put a number on: expert opinion.
Our audio engineers have decades of experience and they’re involved in the selection process from start to finish. That includes the crucial final step: listening sessions under real-world conditions.
Our thorough quality control is why we can offer the Ray Tubes One Year Warranty. If you buy a NOS tube that turns out to be a dud, there’s nothing you can do. With the SELECT Collection, you’ll have peace of mind.
Unlock Your Amp’s Full Potential
Testing vacuum tubes in real-life audio equipment shouldn’t be revolutionary, but here we are. We know the Ray Tubes SELECT Collection will sound incredible in your amp because it sounds incredible in our amp.
Have you ever felt like your vacuum tubes are holding your whole system back? You’re not alone. It’s right there in the name—“amp”. Tubes are where the amplification happens. That’s why poor quality tubes hold you back.
The SELECT Collection helps your system reach its peak potential. With a lower noise floor and detailed, nuanced sound, SELECT tubes make good amps sound great and great amps sound sublime.
More Details
The Ray Tubes One Year Warranty
Most vacuum tubes are notoriously fickle. That’s why warranties are rare. But we trust our products and we’re proud to offer our One Year Warranty against manufacturing defects. Click here for details.
Compatible Amps
Click here to explore Ray Tubes' Tube Amp Compatibility List.
Package Contents
- Set of four, two, or single vacuum tube
- User handbook featuring burn-in guidelines
- Certificate of authenticity and warranty
Technical Specifications
- Tube Type: 2A3
- Tube Socket: 4-pin
Filament (Heater) Ratings
- Filament Voltage: 2.5 V
- Filament Current: 2.5 A
Maximum Ratings
- Plate Voltage: 300 V
- Plate Dissipation: 25 W
Interelectrode Capacitance at Zero Bias
- Input Capacitance: 7.5 pF
- Output Capacitance: 5.5 pF
- Grid-to-Plate Capacitance: 16.5 pF
Static Characteristics (under typical conditions)
- Plate Voltage: 250 V
- Grid Voltage: –45 V
- Plate Current: 60 mA
- Transconductance: 5.25 mA/V
- Plate Resistance: 0.8 kΩ
- Amplification Factor: 4.2
- Output Power: 3.5 W
Specs
Dimensions
About Ray Tubes
Warranty
The Ray Tubes One Year Warranty
This warranty covers manufacturing defects for twelve months after purchase. We believe that everyone who buys our tubes deserves at least a year of quality, hassle-free sound, and if our tubes get in the way of your bliss, we'll make it right. Click here for more details.
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