So long as you are using the same brand/type you won’t lose much, if anything, due to the auto bias circuit in the PL amp. FWIW you have much to gain by considering different small NOS tubes, but not so much, I think, when considering power tubes which are usually verrry expensive and often not much better, if any, than some of the new production tubes currently available. Personally I would try new production tubes before going to NOS power tubes. In my Dialogue One I enjoy either JJ E34L’s or SED 6L6CG’s, the former warmer but having nice, clear highs, the latter a much more linear tone.
EL34 tubes- alternates to matched octet for Primaluna HP dialogue premium
I have the Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP power amp that uses 8 EL34 tubes. I am currently using the stock EL34s, but have noticed a nice improvement in imaging when I switched to NOS mullards 12au7s.
As I look at playing around with different power tubes, (especially NOS Varieties) I see numerous sets of matched quads out there, but never matched octets, unless they are new production.
my question is this: what do I lose sonically by using unmatched tubes, or two sets of matched quads, or four sets of matched pairs? Wondering if since the Primaluna is self biasing, if it is less sensitive to non-matched tubes than other amps?
As I look at playing around with different power tubes, (especially NOS Varieties) I see numerous sets of matched quads out there, but never matched octets, unless they are new production.
my question is this: what do I lose sonically by using unmatched tubes, or two sets of matched quads, or four sets of matched pairs? Wondering if since the Primaluna is self biasing, if it is less sensitive to non-matched tubes than other amps?