The Best All Vacuum Tubes 2024

Updated On September 11th, 2022

Looking for the best All Vacuum Tubes? You aren't short of choices in 2022. The difficult bit is deciding the best All Vacuum Tubes for you, but luckily that's where we can help. Based on testing out in the field with reviews, sells etc, we've created this ranked list of the finest All Vacuum Tubes.

Rank Product Name Score
1
Mullard EL34 Tube Medium/Green Quartet

Mullard EL34 Tube Medium/Green Quartet

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2
Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-6L6-R Matched Power Tubes High (8-10 GT Rating) Duet

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

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3
Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-6550-R Matched Power Tubes Medium (4-7 GT Rating) Duet

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

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4
Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-6550-R Matched Power Tubes High (8-10 GT Rating) Duet

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

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5
Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-KT66-C Matched Power Tubes Medium (4-7 GT Rating) Duet

Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-KT66-C Matched Power Tubes Medium (4-7 GT Rating) Duet

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6
Groove Tubes GT-EL34-R Quartet Set of 4 Guitar Amp Tubes

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

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

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

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8
Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-5AR4/GZ34 Rectifier Tube

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

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9
Groove Tubes GT-12AY7 Select Preamp Tube

Groove Tubes GT-12AY7 Select Preamp Tube

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

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

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1. Mullard EL34 Tube Medium/Green Quartet

Mullard EL34 Tube Medium/Green Quartet
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Our Score

EL34 Tube

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-KT66-C Matched Power Tubes Medium (4-7 GT Rating) Duet

Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-KT66-C Matched Power Tubes Medium (4-7 GT Rating) Duet
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Gold Series GT-KT66-C Matched Power Tubes

GT-KT66-C Duet Chinese made copy of the classic KT66. Great sounding - one step down from the KT66HP, but less money too. New and exclusive GT design. An exact copy of legendary Gold Lion "valve" from the Eric Clapton "Blues Breaker" Marshall combo. Big fat bottom, crisp highs, very warm and a springboard response that make playing fun again! Highly recommended for Fender type amps. GT-6V6-C Quartet Classically designed with warm overdrive and soft distortion character. Chinese made copy of the old USA 6V6 we loved in our old Deluxe Reverbs. Round, warm, fat tone with lower power put great for a soft blues tone or great fat classic rock sound too. Country of origin: ChinaCountry of origin: China

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-5AR4/GZ34 Rectifier Tube
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Our Score

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

9. Groove Tubes GT-12AY7 Select Preamp Tube

Groove Tubes GT-12AY7 Select Preamp Tube
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Our Score

GT-12AY7 Select Preamp Tube

The Groove Tubes GT-12AY7 Select Preamp Tube is closest in specification to a 12AX7 and can be exchanged with a slight drop in gain. Most companies changed over to the 12AX7 as it became more common. This tube can be tried in later Marshall amplifiers in the first gain position, where the owner of these amps would like to drop the background noise and lower the gain level to plexi or early 70's vintage gain levels with its returned wider frequency response. Country of origin: Russia

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

Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-12AX7-C Preamp Tube
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Our Score

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||


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