Mullard EL34 that sounds best

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.

Right. I certainly can live without Mullards, SEDs Winged are acceptable and still available for now.

For current issues I have both the PSVane EL-34 PH (Philips replica with metal base) and the EL-34 UK which is a Mullard replica. The EL-34 UK is very good for the $35 price per tube, and the EL-34 PH very very good, but is about $100 per tube.

They also have the Art Series which is supposed to be excellent, but I have not heard them

I purchased directly from China from jjyaudio and their owner Helen, and I know of several others who have ordered from her as well. Excellent communications, product arrived quickly and well packed.

Is anyone familiar with EL34 Groove Tubes ?

Fyi- Upgraded amps so I no longer need my EL34’s.  Just listed a nice Mullard xf2 quad on the other US site…