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 3 responses by lowrider57

Great comments and advice from @tomcy6 . I'm a firm believer that each type of tube and each manufacturer has it's own sonic signature. Typically, you don't need to swap all the tubes from stock to vintage, aka NOS tubes (New Old Stock). There are specific tube locations which have greater influence on the amp's sonics. Most of us start with the small signal tubes, but you need to know the function of each tube in its location. Sometimes the user manual will state the function of each tube stage; eg, preamp, amp gain stage, or driver stage. Contacting the manufacturer or dealer is a better way to go. I won't give any advice on tube selection since I don't know your amp and since you're still getting to know it. 
I'll cite one example of a tube which provides an increased emphasis on the midrange and has plenty of "air" in the highs; it's manufactured by Amperex. Some tubes will be more linear, some will add detail to music, some will add warmth, etc.
Here's a primer on tube sonics of different manufacturers and each tube type; You can click on 12AX7, 12AU7, 6SN7. 
http://www.audiotubes.com/12ax7.htm

A member who is familiar with your amp very possibly will chime in.

You have very low hours on your amp. To increase the burnin process you can leave the amp powered up while you are home. Never leave a tube amp unattended.
You only need to have the amp turned on, no components, no music, but the amp must be connected to the speakers.


Good find on the tube info.
TUBES
Input stage: 2x 12AX7
Rectifier: 1x 12AU7
Drivers: 2x 6SN7 (Electro Harmonix)
Power stage: 4x KT150 (Tung-sol)

The tubes that influence the sonics the most are the 12AX7 inputs. They are the preamp and the input gain to the amplifier. This gain stage has a high amount of voltage, thus the sonic signature of different tube brands will be most audible.  
The drivers will have a lesser effect on sound. Their job is to
take the input signal and split it into two identical signals, each 180 degrees out of phase with each other. These signals drive the output tubes. IMO, you can live with the stock 6SN7s for now.
Rolling rectifier tubes most definitely influences the sound.