What Are The Best 12AT7's and 12AX7's?

Of course it is pretty hard to predict what anyone one person would prefer sonically, so at best, we can only make some recommendations on what to try.

I agree that 5751s are worth trying. They have lower gain than 12AX7s, however, so they may not be true drop-in replacements. I don't know if it is true, but, I've read of instances where the difference in gain adversely affected the phono equalization.

If I had to pick one tube as being almost always an improvement over current production tubes (i.e., a universal upgrade), I would pick an Amperex Bugle Boy 12AX7. These are expensive, but, they deliver a rich, full-bodied sound without being murky or sluggish sounding.

I have tried a pretty wide range of 12AX7s and 5751s in my phonostage. For my particular taste, and given the other components in my system, my personal preference is for the Telefunken ECC803S. But, I can see how this tube would be too lean and aggressive sounding for some systems. This tube is on the opposite end of the spectrum from something like the old Mullards.

My Vote is 12at7 Phillips Miniwatt ( Herleen version ) and Sylvania 5751 3 Mica Black plates..Good match using these together also..Been using them for years in my Thor Linestage.........

The best 12AX7 is not a 12AX7. The best 12AX7 is a 7058. There is just one rub. The 7058 is an extremely ruggedized 12AX7 substitute that was designed for automotive use. The rub is that it only operates with center tapped heaters and will not operate with series connected heaters. If it works in your phono stage, it will be an excellent contender for best 12AX7. As a bonus, it's cheap. 6681 is a very nice instrumentation grade 12AX7 that is a direct sub, no caveats.

The best 12AT7 is a 6201. There are many great makes of this instrumentation grade 12AT7 to choose from. Mullard, Tele. I like the Sylvania Gold tubes. On the plus side, they are a direct sub for 12AT7 on the negative side of the ledger, they are spendy.

Good luck with the hunt.

Thanks everyone so far. I'm currently running the tubes that came with the unit. Svetlana 12AX7's and Electro Harmonics 12AT7's. How do these tubes compare with some of those favorites mentioned? What kind of sonic impact can I expect from rolling in some of these other tubes. While I've got the experts assembled, is there any performance differences between the various Mullard 5AR4 rectifier tubes? For example, some are listed as f31 others f32 etc denoting (I believe) manufacture date. Which of these are considered the best that Mullard made?

The very, "best" 12AT7 family tubes, are supposed to be Tele ECC801S's(http://www.jacmusic.com/nos/ECC81.htm), and for the 12AX7 family; the ECC803S's(http://tubedepot.com/pa-ecc803s-tele.html). Good luck, trying to find those, for less than your First Born male child. Whether the extremely clean sound of these would appeal to you..... well- that's what tube rolling is all about. BTW: Whatever you order; be certain they are graded for phono stage use(Upscale does a good job at this. Check their grading system). Any noise, in the phono circuit, will be VERY obvious at your speakers. As to the 5AR4/GZ34 Mullards; as long as you find one from the Blackburn Plant, you'll be happy(http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mullard+blackburn+gz34&_sacat=0&_dmd=2&_odkw=mullard+5ar4&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313).