Seeking a Warm 12AX7 Tube for Preamp

trivema,

I am pretty much in agreement on your assessment of 12AX7 tubes.  I currently run extremely expensive Telefunken ECC803S (the real deal) tubes in my phono stage.  It is a very dynamic and vivid tube, but, it is not for someone looking for a lot of warmth.  I like other Telefunken variants too.  I am also a big fan of the Amperex Bugle Boys; to me, they are warmer sounding than Telefunkens, but, they remain clear and reasonably dynamic.  I too don't particularly like Mullards.  In addition to being a bit "blah" sounding, in some applications they sound a bit "strange" (sort of phasey sounding).  

I don't really do tube rolling myself, but, I heard a few types when first choosing tubes for my phono stage and in other people's system.  I even tried some 5751s which sounded quite good, although I actually need as much gain as I can get so 12AX7s are a better match.  A friend brought around a big selection of the better tubes he had for me to try.  I liked the Telefunken smooth plates, which is why I went all in on getting the ECC803S when I could do it.

Buy a used Mullard that test as new, you can pick up one for under $100. RCA’s are fun and sound good, kind of in the middle between Mullard and Telefunkens. RCA’s are more of a guitar tube and sounds like it but still a nice tube. Telefunkens are very detailed, refined, either you like them or you don’t. The Gold Lion gold pin sound like they tried to copy the Telefunkens character. If you need a place to buy a used Tele pm me, 

Buy a used Mullard that test as new, you can pick up one for under $100. RCA’s are fun and sound good, kind of in the middle between Mullard and Telefunkens. RCA’s are more of a guitar tube and sounds like it but still a nice tube. Telefunkens are very detailed, refined, either you like them or you don’t. The Gold Lion gold pin sound like they tried to copy the Telefunkens character. If you need a place to buy a used Tele pm me,

I agree with all this, pretty much :)
Used-tests-strong tubes, from smaller tube sellers with good feedback, is THE way to get good value for your money. If you go to big tube dealers, they’ll charge a huge premium, and their tubes aren’t always better. Some of these 12AX7's still have such large populations (most Teles, RCAs, Mullards), it’s crazy to pay big for ’em. A dud happens here and there, but a small tube like this won’t blow up your amp and speakers without LOTS of help from bad engineering elsewhere.

I’d say that reissue Gold Lions remind me more of Amperex (Holland) than Teles, but not far off either way (especially if you mean smooth plates).

What is wrong with Psvane 12ax7.

I use it in my phono stage instead of Sylvania 5751 than I used for many year. And I don't feel that Psvane is inferiors to this great 12ax7.

Should have said a pair of used Mullards are under $100 where I buy most of my tubes. He also warranty’s them. I bought a quad of used Mullard el34’s xf2’s from him almost ten years ago and played the hell out of them still pull them out every once in a while and they play well. I think he still sells a used quad of Mullard xf2’sel34’s that test high for under $400 or right at it. There not all going to be labeled the same. So good deals can be found. There are a lot of awesome tube dealers but they cost a premium and even there NOS tubes will red plate, never bought eBay tubes.