RAM tubes are graded for noise and you pay for that. Some of the tubes are inexpensive Chinese but he tests them like no one else. If you need supremely quiet tubes he might be the right guy. All that testing and rooting out less than the best of the lot is not free however. He prints his prices so you don't have to guess.
I have bought many tubes on the open market and it is really a crap shoot (emphasis on crap). Unless your willing to lose your money and have a high aggravation level response I would avoid it.
I will give you this bit of advice, you generally get what you pay for. Most of my really good tubes were not inexpensive. A couple here and there but it is the exception to the rule. Such as not overpaying for the manufacturer's tube sets.
