The Best All Vacuum Tubes 2025

1. Mullard EL34 Power Vacuum Tube, Platinum Matched Pair

Premium high-voltage power pentode. An extremely faithful reissue of the XF2 Mullard EL34 from the 1960s.

Special grid windings which give it a unique sound for both guitar and HiFi Perfect power tube for Dynaco ST-70 or vintage Marshalls, Hiwatt or other British Amps Platinum pair 2 tubes, computer-matched by manufacturer on proprietary equipment 6CA7 equivalent

2. Mullard EL34 Tube Medium/Green Quartet

EL34 Tube

The Mullard EL34 is a reissue of the Classic EL34 Mullard tube.

3. Tung-Sol 6550 Tube Medium/Green Duet

A Reissue of the Classic 6550 Tungsol type 3 triple getter version. It is more dynamic and 3-dimensional than any other 6550.

A Reissue of the Classic 6550 Tungsol type 3 triple getter version It is more dynamic and 3-dimensional than any other 6550

4. Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-6L6-R Matched Power Tubes High (8-10 GT Rating) Duet

Gold Series GT-6L6-R Matched Power Tubes

These Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-6L6-R Matched Power Tubes are Russian made, same as the 5881, but matched in the GT system. These are a very sturdy and reliable tube, with slightly less power and a more aggressive edge when pushed into distortion. These are the tubes that are used by Fender in amps that use 6L6 tubes and DO NOT come from their Custom Shop. These are used in the Hot Rod series, Blues DeVille series, Pro Tube series, BF reissue series. The GT 6L6GE is used in the 57 Tweed, Vibroverb and Vibro King amps. If you are trying to match your stock tube rating with the GT rating: On Fender amps, output tubes in newer amps are color coded. The scale is: Blue = GT 1-3 rating White = GT 4-7 rating Red = GT 8-10 rating Low, medium, and high style descriptions refer to break up modes of the tube for an overdriven guitar signal. High-rated tubes break up slow and have the highest amount of headroom, while low-rated tubes break up easier and have the least headroom, yielding a heavier, harder distortion. Medium-rated tubes fall in between.

5. Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-6550-R Matched Power Tubes Medium (4-7 GT Rating) Duet

One of the highest-output 8-pin pentodes available. Originally manufactured in the United States by G.E., it delivers 35 to 50 watts per tube and was original equipment in amps during the ?70s and early ?80s. A big, clean, tight tube with amazing headroom and performance and great power and dynamics. The highest-output power tube in this family. This 6550 is slightly easier to push into distortion than the original G.E. version and has a harder response than the "C" for tighter, quicker response. Good for bass amps and metal, when more pronounced note definition is desired with just a touch of distortion.

GT-6550-R Duet Highest power pentode for use in Marshall, Hiwatt, Ampeg SVT, the GT amps and a few other higher powered amps. Also popular for HiFi amps. Newest entry, power and quality should mean long life. Excellent response, yet it's easier to pu

6. Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-6550-R Matched Power Tubes High (8-10 GT Rating) Duet

Gold Series GT-6550-R Matched Power Tubes

GT-6550-R Duet Highest power pentode for use in Marshall, Hiwatt, Ampeg SVT, the GT amps and a few other higher powered amps. Also popular for HiFi amps. Newest entry, power and quality should mean long life. Excellent response, yet it's easier to push into distortion than "A" version, a little harder sounding than "C". Country of origin: RussiaCountry of origin: Russia

7. Groove Tubes GT-EL34-R Quartet Set of 4 Guitar Amp Tubes

This Russian made pentode is standard issue on many UK amps and has great durability, although as with most Russian power tubes the break up is a bit harsh and they lack high end as compared to the true European models. Newly exclusive GT design, close copy of classic Mullard type with good power and flat tonal response. Unique sound, slightly edgy distortion when pushed hard. The most reliable of all in this family.

Groove Tubes GT-EL34-R Quartet Set of 4 Guitar Amp Tubes

8. Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-6L6-R Matched Power Tubes Medium (4-7 GT Rating) Duet

Gold Series GT-6L6-R Matched Power Tubes

These Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-6L6-R Matched Power Tubes are Russian made, same as the 5881, but matched in the GT system. These are a very sturdy and reliable tube, with slightly less power and a more aggressive edge when pushed into distortion. These are the tubes that are used by Fender in amps that use 6L6 tubes and DO NOT come from their Custom Shop. These are used in the Hot Rod series, Blues DeVille series, Pro Tube series, BF reissue series. The GT 6L6GE is used in the 57 Tweed, Vibroverb and Vibro King amps. If you are trying to match your stock tube rating with the GT rating: On Fender amps, output tubes in newer amps are color coded. The scale is: Blue = GT 1-3 rating White = GT 4-7 rating Red = GT 8-10 rating Low, medium, and high style descriptions refer to break up modes of the tube for an overdriven guitar signal. High-rated tubes break up slow and have the highest amount of headroom, while low-rated tubes break up easier and have the least headroom, yielding a heavier, harder distortion. Medium-rated tubes fall in between.

9. Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-5AR4/GZ34 Rectifier Tube

Gold Series GT-5AR4/GZ34 Rectifier Tube

The most common rectifier tube used in higher powered amps which use a rectifier such as Fender 40 watt and Vox AC-30 amplifiers. Common to higher powered tube amps, like the later Fender Super Reverb amps and the Vox AC30 (or Matchless copies). May be used to replace a 5U4 or 5Y3 and will give a faster more dynamic tonal result. This rectifier has a rise time from 300-400 volts that is about 1/2 that of a 5U4. They work nicely in amps such as the Mesa Rectifier series which use the 5U4. Great if you want a feel and response that is tighter than stock rectifiers yet you want to retain the feel and compression character of a vacuum rectifier over the solid-state setting. Country of origin: RussiaCountry of origin: Russia

10. Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-12AX7-C Preamp Tube

The Groove Tubes GT-12AX7-C preamp tube brings back the ever-popular and sorely missed Chinese 12AX7! This Gold Series tube has a warm, fat, old-style tone favored by blues players and the classic rock crowd Country of origin: China

The ever-popular and sorely missed Chinese 12AX7 is finally back! This tube has a warm, fat, old-style tone favored by blues players and the classic rock crowd||