Do small preamp tubes 12ax7 need to be matched?


I had a Telefunken 12ax7 tube go out on me in the V4 (R) position of my Aesthetix Rhea, so I replaced the pair with stock Sovtek 12ax7WBs. Do I need to replace the Teles with a matched pair, or can I just pick up a single and throw it in. Obviously, I'll stick with smooth plate, as that is what was in there.
stew3859

Showing 1 response by daveyf

Lewm brings up a very good point when he states that tubes age at different rates. I have always wondered how tube matching makes a lot of sense when a) the tubes will age at different rates b) what are the parameters that one can say a tube is matched to another? c) your circuit is either driving a tube hard or it is not-- which results in varying the life and the point in (a) and lastly d) noise and distortion vary greatly by tube design and placement in the circuit.
Anyone here truly know what a tube tester is accurately testing for?