How important is the driver tube in a tubed amp?


Does changing the driver tube affect the sound of the amplifier dramatically? I have a 300b SET amp the uses 12au7 tubes as the driver. Would changing these from the stock tubes to a better quality tube make a difference?
meech33

Showing 1 response by sophiaelectric

The amplifier circuit/transformers combination and construction style would make 80% of the sound. Parts would contribute another 20% or so. Active parts like tubes would matter more than a resistor. However, in a single ended 300B circuit design, anything matters. Even different resistor or wires would change the sound when using with a high end system. Voicing the amplifier would takes more time and cost more than solder the amp togather.

Tube rolling is cheaper to modify/upgrade the sound performance, but only to a small margin. The foundamental charactor of the circuit is still there.

Richard