Shalom Bolero32: The small signal tubes(preamp, phase splitter and driver tubes) and your rectifier will make a MAJOR DIFFERENCE in the sound, imaging and sound staging of your system. That also depends on the rest of your equipment, cabling, listening room and speakers, and their combined ability to resolve these effects. McFarland has pretty well defined what you can expect from some of the better 6SN7s. The bottom gettered Sylvania 6SN7GT(40's-50's is a very clean and accurate tube, that presents a spacious sound stage, only bettered by their 6SN7W(tall bottle). Their are quite a few Amperex 7308s(various years, countries of origin, markings), that each has it's own sound(most are very nice). The EAT tubes compare favorably with the better NOS European tubes(Siemens/Telefunken), and are the best new production 6922/6DJ8 family tubes available now. If you can locate a pair of NOS Mullard 5U4G tubes, they will probably outlast you and the amp, plus surprise you with the differences they make in the sound of the amp. Enjoy your music and experimentation!