Same here, directtv for television and cable for internet, cable is the way to go, I had verison DSL and had the same type of issues you had. Hell, they even disconnected me a few times when going to install for a neighbor and left me paying for a pile of shit in my hand.
Smooth Plate Telefunken's will give you the nice bass of the Mullard but they have nice detailed highs and big sound stage, kinda 701ish but nothing harsh. I did install some Sylvania gold pin drivers to smooth out the Tele a bit and that is a real good pairing as apposed to the Tele and the Tungsols.