Tube Rolling for Pre-amps?


I have an Audio Research LS-16 that feeds a Madrigal Proceed HPA2 solid state amp. 

I did not choose this equipment; it was given to me. From what I can tell the original owner spent a good bit of time matching up these two components with the speakers, Aerial Acoustics 7Bs.

The tubes in the AR are original. Probably 10-15 years old? But with an extended period of not being used.

The system sounds good to me. I don't need to change anything.

However, I've been told that the tubes are old and may need to be replaced soon. I've also read a little bit about tube rolling but most of the articles I've seen talk mostly about tube rolling with amps and not pre-amps.

So I have some questions:

1) If the original owner wanted a system that sounded like a 'tube' system, why not have a tube amp and pre-amp? Does it make sense to have a tube pre but SS amp?

2) Other than outright failure, how will I know if my tubes _need_ to be replaced?

3) With a SS amp, will changing tubes in the pre-amp have a noticeable impact on SQ? In other words, is tube rolling for a pre-amp played through a SS amp a thing?

4) For someone like myself who is happy with the system and who is also easily frustrated by A/B testing is tube rolling the pre-amp even worthwhile? I can almost always hear a change when comparing various components but only rarely am able to say A is better or worse than B.

( I probably can't even articulate effectively what I look for in terms of SQ except that I like the bass to be tight, precise, well defined and not boomy. I do not like the music to be overly bright or tinny. I like depth and lushness but not overly warm. Not sure if these are things you alter with tubes.)

Thanks for any advice.


n80
To be clear, there is no harm to the unit in using different brands (in pairs as mentioned above)? If I broke this thing I'm sure I'd have a hard to paying for repairs!

There is absolutely nothing you could do mixing and matching tubes to damage your preamp. 

I'd sure take rodman up on his offer.
@mofimadness : I have. Can't wait to give it a try. Already looking for 2 more of those tubes just in case I really like them and want to have all 4 the same.

I've run into a couple of things though. One source says these were counterfeited for a while. I see them on reputable sites for $150 - $200 each. I see them in pairs on eBay for $150. See some individuals on eBay for $45.

Just guessing the eBay offerings are probably not the way to go.
I've had good luck on E-Bay, but I've heard horror stories also.

Here are a few of the top rated tube dealers:

Brent Jesse
Upscale Audio (Kevin Deal)
The Tube Depot
The Tube Store
Jim McShane
Vintage Tube Services (Andy)
 
There are more, but these seem to be discussed the most.
@rodman99999  : "if you’re having second thoughts"

Oops, sorry, I didn't see this post. No second thoughts at all. Really looking forward to trying this.
ALRIGHTY, THEN!  They'll be on their way, tomorrow.  If you like the sound of them, and you're serious, regarding another pair; these(below) are identical.  When you get my pair, compare them to the pics in this ad (better pics, than the eBay ad) .  ie: The halo getter, the getter support structure, the grey plates and shields, molded creases on top of envelope, gold pins, early Sixties date codes, etc.       https://www.tubemonger.com/1961_62_Amperex_USA_6922_E88CC_Gold_Pin_USA_NOS_p/1226.htm