Indulge your ears — and your audience — with the only valves tested for noise, longevity, and real-world performance
Great tone requires great valves. But not all valves are created equal.
Even in a single batch, valve performance varies wildly. Most duds are caught at the factory, but some always slip through.
That’s why specialist valve sellers — like us — run our own tests.
But even valves that pass a second inspection may not sound as good in your amp as they do on paper.
The Hidden Flaw in Traditional Valve Testing
Depending on the amp, output valves can see up to 700 volts.
But standard testers tap out at 400.
You don’t test astronauts by putting them on carnival rides. So why test valves at voltages far gentler than what they’ll experience in a real amp?
And this problem, well — amplifies — when pairs of valves are involved.
You probably know your amp needs matched output valves. But valves matched at 400 volts may not match at the higher voltages in your amp.
And your tone suffers.
Mismatched valves create odd-order harmonics — a nasty sound with all the note definition of a bowl of oatmeal. And one valve always wears faster than the other, so they never last as long as a properly matched set.
Over time, they can even damage your amp.
Real-World Testing for Real-World Tone
So we built them ourselves.
Unlike commercially available testers, ours recreate real amp circuits and measure valve vital signs with unparalleled accuracy.
The results?
Better tone and greater longevity.
Whether you’re playing stages, studios, or just shredding your bedroom, great tone starts here. Valves are the beating heart of your amp.
The better they are, the better it sounds.
But the truth is that great tone requires more than just voltage and matching. Because like all matters of the heart, the most important things can’t be measured in numbers.
Dialed In and Ready to Rock
Output Valves
We don’t just test at 400 volts and call it good. We push all our Premium Tested output valves to the same voltages they’ll see in your amp. And we match them that way too, so every set is dialed in and ready to rock.
Preamp Valves
Same goes for preamp valves. We test them under real-world conditions, right down to how they behave in the V1 slot of a real amp. Need a balanced phase splitter? We hand-pick those, too.
From the Quietest Valve Comes the Mightiest Roar
At Valve Tube Guitar Amps, our custom-built, state-of-the-art testers allow us to actually listen for noisy valves — and completely eliminate them from our Premium Tested lineup.
Noise is a tone killer.
That’s why we hand-pick only the quietest valves, ensuring you hear your amp’s true voice with every note.
Rock Out With Confidence
On top of being tested to the highest standard in the world, we also guarantee all our Premium Tested valves with an industry-leading, 180-day warranty.
Like a great bandmate, we’ve got your back.
Better Valves. Bigger Tone.
Want your amp to sound its best?
Start with the best valves.
Browse our Premium Tested lineup or use our AmpFinder to nail down the perfect set.