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?

meech3310-27-2003 9:31pm

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ncarv Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 983 posts 10-27-2003 at 10:09pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Yes, the driver tube can make a significant difference.
rcprince Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3,073 posts 10-27-2003 at 10:21pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Agree wholly with Ncarv, from my experience with Jadis and Lamm amplifiers. As to whether the difference is an improvement, that's another, far more subjective, question that only your ears can answer.
meech33 OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 57 posts 10-28-2003 at 11:29am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Anything else?
twl Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3,251 posts 10-28-2003 at 03:16pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete The driver tubes are feeding the output tubes. Whatever the driver tubes give to the output tubes, then that is what you'll get out to the speaker. If the driver tubes aren't getting it, then the output tubes won't either. I'd say that is fairly important. Also, in some cases, the driver tubes are providing alot of the gain in the amp. Also pretty important. Get good driver tubes.

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