I'll vouch for WN Series 7 as well. Reaper brushes are pretty good. No experience with Raphael.
I switched to WN Series 7 about a year ago and none of my brushes have shown any wear (except the text disappearing of the handle (I paint the size on the end of the handle, indicating it with a number of rings). Rinse them often and remove paint from in the ferrule with Liquid WN brush cleaner or equivalent every week or two and you should be fine. You can also use brush shaper and conditioner every once in a while.
It helps to mix colors with a cheaper, larger brush to avoid drenching the Series 7 brushes in paint up to the ferrule, but that being said, do not be afraid to actually USE your brushes for painting. You'll be amazed how much difference they make.
Initially I liked the Series 7 Miniature brushes because I liked the spring provided by the shorter hairs, but I have come around to the standard brushes now. They have just as sharp a tip and can hold more paint. Online stores have sales on Series 7 brushes all the time and one of these brushes is worth 5-10 crappy brushes that will hook on its tip, making it worthless IMO so don't think in terms of how many off-brand brushes you could get instead. Once you upgrade you'll only use other brushes for base coating, drybrushing and other messy tasks.
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