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For the last few years I have been using JJ's brand ECC-83 tubes (European for 12AX7) J.J tubes are made in the former Tesla factory in the Slovak Republic, and use the better quality glass than most tube manufacturers in the business. Several tube techs and repairmen I know swear by them. You can get them under other brand names like Groove Tubes but be sure they have and S as the end letter (as in Slovakia) Not R (Russian), or C (Chinese). The JJ's tubes have the least microphonics and noise of any new tubes I've used and they seem to last longer as well. The other approach if you can find them is to invest in a couple of NOS tubes, They are very expensive, will set you back upwards of 50-80 per tube. Of these brands, I'd look for Mullard (not the new brand, originals ones) Telefunken, Amperex, or Valvo. Any of these if you can find them will last forever and sound better than most anything currently being produced. Bill