Shuguang 12AX7 Pavane/Psvane Reference.

Good older 12AX7s don't need to be costly. One good way to buy is to bypass NOS, and go for used. Those older tubes are quite strong, and can last a real long time. At any rate, I've found a lot of tubes of that era for no more than what you're considering for the new units you're inquiring about, not that the old tubes would be better than the new ones. As they're still a new product, there isn't enough of an opinion base to know how they rank overall. I'd try both, and see what you think.

For what it's worth, in my opinion, the triple mica Shuguang 12AX7 that go for the same price as the poor sounding new 12AX7 variants are right up there with the good older tubes you listed. Given that, I'm curious about these new premium tubes.

Another very good inexpensive 12ax7 tube is the ( tubeman.com ) is the Ei cryo 12ax7 ( grey plates ) ...They are ( Yugo's ) about the best new production 12ax7 tube I have tried....Very reasonable pricing too...They are Telefunken Smoothplate copies..

I replaced some Shuguang 12AX7's and quickly put the Shuguangs back in, they are that good.

Thanks to all for your opinions.

Trelja, Where do yo buy your tubes?. 12AX7s can be expensive in trusted sites like tubeworld.com.

Thorman, curiously Ei were the tubes I was thinking before knowing about the Shuguangs.

Orpheus10, your Shuguangs are Pavane or the standard model?.

They came stock in a Primaluna amp from Upscale Audio. I assume they were standard.