Matched Tubes do I need them and why?


I have purchased a tube pre amp that has two 12aux7 and two 12 au7's for tubes. I would like to upgrade these an am wondering, do I need matched pairs of each? or do I just need to by new ones. I can get new for about 20 bucks, but have been quoted 110 for matched.

Please let me know what ya think and my apologies if this has been discussed before. Not much time to surf these days.
Thanks for your help.
ghost_rider

Showing 1 response by swampwalker

Assumming that each of the tube types AX7 and AU7 are one per channel, then yes a matched pair of each is recommended. As to how to get them, if you are buying new, just ask the vendor to sell you matched pairs. They will charge more, but shouldn't be too much.