What are we going to do about Tele 12AU7 prices

What prices are you seeing?  They don't appear to be that hefty in price, at least compared to real old stock Telefunken ECC803S (12AX7) which now go for around $1300 each.  In the right circuit, these are all very long-lived tubes, so you might be able to justify the price that way.  I run ECC803S tubes in my phono stage.  Sadly, they are far from the most expensive tubes in my system.  Try pricing 348 tubes (I run 6 of these) and 349 tubes (I run 4 of these).  I also run a bunch of 310s and two 300b (these are RECTIFIERS). 

Tubes can be quite pricey.

Get a second job mozartfan.

Try Tesla.

Seems like the OP is trying to get 100% performance at 20% price which is usually wishful thinking and which most may find as a useless endeavor.

@mozartfan 

Fortunately, Tele 12au7’s aren’t the holy grail of the 12au7 family or nearly as coveted as Tele 12ax7’s. You shouldnt have to look too hard to equal or better their performance.