Which 12AX7 tubes for EAR 834P phono stage?


I am experimenting with vinyls, and acquired EAR phono stage for a starter. I've compared the sound of EAR against Camelot Lancelot, and Sutherland PhD on two different systems. To my ears EAR sounds lush and smooth, perhaps a little too much so. I would like more lively and dynamic sound, like Sutherland phono stage. Can I replace the tubes in EAR and make the sound to the direction of more lively and dynamic? Or do I need to look for a different phono stage? I'm currently using a Rega table with Benz Micro MC cartridge loaned from my friend. I will be using a B&O table with moving iron MMC 20CL cartridge when I have everything set up next week or so.
jylee
Try some of the new TechTubes from the updated, old Mullard Blackburn England factory. These are wonderful!

https://shop.blackburnmicrotech.com/stock_list.php?categoryid=1
Tube rolling in the 834P is an exercise in tone controls. You're not going to find a tube that makes it sound like a Sutherland. However, if you like the fundamental sound of the EAR, try Mullard CV4004 or Telefunken to bring out the best it has to offer.
The important issue is noise. you can only really use tubes tested for noise and microphony, by a really good reliable dealer RAM tubes are famous for this. As is Upscale and a number of others. Whatever flavor you decide upon they above all else must be quiet in a phono gain stage or in preamp gain stage.
The new or current production tubes are more often quiet tubes with no micophony than old stock but not as good sounding tone wise. The German tubes are known for being quiet and hatend to have a clean fast signal.
If you can afford good quiet ANOS Teles I would give them a roll.
The former Ei made a tube so lively and shiny it was called the silver bullet. Too thin for me but a fast sparkler, as the name implies. To get them now you must buy them as NOS tubes and believe it or not they aren't all that easy to find.
The current production, Russian Tung Sol gold pin for a straight forward sound leaning only a tad to the warmer side, has rich mid bass tone.
Haven't tried the New Blackburn tube yet but it seems to please those who have.
A brighter sound was part of what made the Shuguang 9th ed. or 12AX7C special. Yes I am serious and you can't find them any more. The B ver. or 8th ed. is what is being offered.
Telefunken will improve the low mid frequencies & Siemen will improve the tonal balance. It's your choice amongst the 2.

Good luck
As noted above, well tested, low microphonic tubes are required in a phono amp. better tubes can help, e.g. Siemens of Telefunken, but an 834p will never sound detailed or clear, at least, not without extensive modifications (with which I have no experience.) Lush and smooth, yes (in my system, too much so, just as you suspect.) But you have ss amplification, maybe it balances out. An 834P is a good place to start, but looking at the rest of your system, it is not up on the same level.