Different Tubes and general purpose?


I’m trying to get a better midrange push or clarity out of my Line Magnetic 501ia tube amp.   Can someone help me understand what the specific function each type of tube performs in a power amp?  

I would like to upgrade several or all of my “stock” tubes but would like to understand where to start to beat enhance each aspect of the sound spectrum.   On my 501ia i have 4x KT120 and i believe those are power tubes, but please help clarify if wrong.  There are 2x 6SN7EH 1x 12AU7 and 2x 12AX7 (but the AU7 and AX7 look interchangeable to me).   As i look to upgrade where to i look to start, and why?  
Thanks in advance for help. 
gunners01

Showing 1 response by jetter

At this time I have a tube preamp which takes 2 12ax7's in the line stage and 2 12ax7's in the built in phono stage.  The 5751 is a direct replacement for the 12ax7, and the 5751 has slightly less gain.  I have used 5751's in the line stage and it can be a very pleasant addition.  I don't believe the 5751 is good to use in the phono stage as the extra gain of the 12ax7 is generally preferred.

In my experience there is a large difference in using 5751's versus 12ax7's and large differences within the brands of each type of tube.

Although it does not appear to have been updated lately, there is a lot of great information about the sound of different brands of mostly vintage tubes on Joe's Tube Lore  https://www.audioasylum.com/scripts/d.pl?audio/faq/joes-tubes.html