Telefunken, Mullard and Tungsram. in that order. If you haven't tried Telefunken, you should. Don't cheap out, make sure on the vendor. Tungsram is a true diamond in the rough too.
Mullard is like GE to me they make great valves and they have their name on a lot of so so valves also. Make sure, the older the better for the most part.. 50-70s some of the best ever made. I like the BP and BB Mullard produced.
Marconi is another hit and miss but a great valve too. They just have to be tested. In a preamp though, they can last a lifetime..
They ALL produce what is there, like a good preamp valve should. I've never used preamp valves to do anything other than get the WHOLE signal to the power amp section, without bass bloat, forward mids or HF boil.
Tellies, Great RCAs or Mullard in a perfect world..
I've used the same valves for 40+ years.. I know what they do..
Tight BASS.. decouple your speakers all of them.. That would be the first thing I would do. Then 1/2" at a time position your speakers. Closer to the wall for more bass, away from the wall for less.
I think valve swaps would be the last thing to do.. No tone control either? I do things a little different, I think.. :-)
Regards