12ax7's

Telefunken ECC83/12AX7, are good. But so are Amperex Bugle Boys, Mullard CV4004, and for that matter, Sylvania Black Plate 12AX7's. They're just different sounding. In the right system, to the right tastes, all of them will produce magic. Telefunkens, are smooth, rich, warm tubes, with a rounded bass. Amperex, are robust, dynamic tubes, with an excellent bass. The Sylvania's are lively, not as rich sounding, tubes. So only with system, and personal tastes matching, will you acheive, the magic, you are looking for.

Fletchj is right on the money. I prefer the rich, warm sound of the Teles, personally. I've tried all the other mentioned above and I fully agree with Fletch's description. Cheers,

A 5751 will give a bit less gain, but it also has less distortion than a 12ax7. A much quieter tube.
RCA made a tripe mica version of this tube that is very durable and wonderful sounding. Look around for them.. well worth the effort.
mike

I agree with Fletchj and Detlof, it really depends on your taste and the circuit it's used in. The best 12AX7s I've found for my taste in Jadis equipment have been Telefunkens, and the best Tele's I've ever used are their premium E803CCs. Much quieter than the standard 12AX7s, and they last forever.

I've just put four Tele E803CCs in my Jadis pre-pre and they are indeed much quieter than the best of the normal ECC83 Teles I had used so far. They also seem to provide for an even better defined and tight low-end.