Rolled some 12ax7's recently...

Here's the only new production 12AX7 worth thinking about, if you are able to appreciate the differences/improvements in sonics that the right NOS tubes provide(and it's obvious you do): (http://www.musicdirect.com/product/73403) With regards to EL34s: It's been quite a while since I've used that particular output tube, and had Svetlanas last(the original company was still in business). I've found the Winged 'C' 6550 to be an excellent replacement(sonics and reliability) for the NOS outputs that I used to be able to afford in my present amps. Matched octets of anything worth considering in NOS outputs are virtually impossible to find now. If Siemens made a 6550, I'd have to try them. Consider these, or the Winged 'C'(St Petersburg plant), for your EL34 needs: (http://www.upscaleaudio.com/Siemens-EL-34_p_62.html) (http://www.upscaleaudio.com/SED-Winged-C-EL-34_p_63.html)

I've found the inexpensive new production / re-issue tubes to be very dissapointing (Mullard & Sovtek). As far as NOS 12AX7's go, Mullard CV4004's are more lively, but less neutral than the mega expensive Mullard 10M gold pins, however, I still give the edge to the less expensive CV4004's.

Telefunken ECC803S are fine tubes IME. Neutral and somewhat lean sounding in comparison to the Mullard CV4004's... I like the Tele ECC803S as much as the CV4004's, it's just a different sound.

I'd be inerested to know who fellow audiogoners go to to get good, authentic tubes at a reasonable price.

I've used the following:
- Vintage Tube Services (very knowledgeable, good selection... but slow service)
- Tube World (knowledgeable & good service)
- Various offerings from fellow Audiogoners & Ebay (inexpensive, but I question the tube authenticity & quality)

I once foolishly paid $800 for a pair of Mullard 10M gold pins, expecting them to be he cats meow, but found them to be somewhat dull sounding... hence leading me to question their authenticity.

Should I resign myself to accepting that buying NOS tubes is akin to buying older used cars... or are there dependable dealers with reasonable prices that I'm not aware of?
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I've dealt with this eBay seller(from Bavaria) numerous times, and found him to be an educated, honest and reliable source for Teles and Siemens:(http://cgi.ebay.com/1-NEW-Tubes-Siemens-Halske-Rohre-E88CC-6922-CCa_W0QQitemZ130276323952QQihZ003QQcategoryZ67816QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) He used to have his own website, but discontinued it.

I had to laugh at Rodman's recommendation of the EAT 12AX7 as the only acceptable current production 12AX7. Oh, I'm sure it's an excellent sounding tube (haven't heard one myself) but what made me laugh was the fact that it costs $225!! So much for saving money by buying current tubes! (I was also amused that Music Direct thinks it best to hide the inside of the tube in their web photo;-) I actually did audition some (used) EAT KT-88's and they were terrible!

If you want a great pair of ANOS (almost new old stock;-) 12AX7's I have at least 1 pair (maybe 2) of RCA 17mm long blackplates I'd sell for half of a single EAT, and I bet you'd like them better than the EAT or any of the usual NOS suspects, BUT it really depends on where you're using 12AX7/5751's which I don't think you mentioned?

My favorite 5751 BTW is also the RCA TMBP (after endless A-
B with the Sylvania TMBP.)
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To quote Bicycle man, "It's a pity to think that good current production 12ax7's are so lame -- what to do when it is time to buy new tubes?", which is what I was responding to. Where in that post was "saving money" mentioned again? FYI: The EAT comes with the cooler/damper attached, and you'll ALWAYS see them advertised/pictured that way. To quote Ivor Tiefenbrun(founder of Linn Products), "If you gaven't heard it, you have no opinion."