Mullard EL34 that sounds best

I remember reading here where someone liked the Sofia Electric EL34 more than original Mullards.  Can’t remember the thread or who said it though 🤔

I just tried some New Sensor Mullards in a headphone amp. Maybe it was the circuit but I couldn’t wait to take them out. Nothing like I remember when I ran them in some mono-blocks several years ago. I’d stick with SED’s if you can still find them. That is unless you’re ready to mortgage your first born.

Have you thought about trying Rays tubes?  I have not but if you believe the reviewers they sound very good.  Around $850 per quad for their reserve quality and $300 for the select quality and they’re warranted for 12 mo.

Matched NOS quads would be very, very difficult to find.  But check with Brent Jesse.  He sometimes has slightly used Mullards XF1 and XF2 pairs advertised for around or even less than $100 per tube.  Who knows he might be able to come up with a quad.  I’ve never purchased EL34’s from him, but what I have purchase has always been as advertised.

Yes and yes although I’m not familiar with VAC.  I’d check with them. Matched pairs may be sufficient.  But XF3 & 4 can be very good and cheaper. Still hard to find at a decent price though.  If Mullards are something you can’t live without, I’d buy all you can afford now, lol.  They’re all going to be in the stratosphere very soon.