Tube Flavor

The small signal tubes have the most effect on "flavoring" the sound.The power tubes have a subtler effect and are more about sharper or softer dynamics/leading edge.I haven't tried a lot of NOS power tubes though,I'm a bit uneasy about their reliability. My personal preference is to use new production power tubes and try many different small signal tubes.

NOS power tubes are very expensive, so those are not an option for most people. You would always want to use the same brand of power tubes in all positions, but, depending on brand of gear, you sometimes can substitute a tube or two of another brand in an emergency.

Small signal or preamp tubes can have different functions and different amounts of effect on the sound in different positions in preamps and amps. So you may be wasting the sound of your favorite brand of NOS tube in certain positions in your gear. Less expensive and more readily available tubes may work just as well in those positions.

If you use new production tubes they are generally cheap enough that you can use your favorite in all positions or buy different brands to experiment with without spending too much money.

If you go the NOS route, you will still want to experiment, but you’ll want advice from someone familiar with your specific preamp or amp, as experimenting with NOS tubes can get expensive fast.

If you're asking if preamp and power tubes need to be brand match I would say no. Preamp and other small signal tubes can be a great way to experiment with NOS but as Tom says above NOS power tubes can be prohibitively expensive. What tubed gear are you running I just see a Belles Aria listed in your system?

The whole idea behind like cables is kinda funny. I build my own. RCAs vs XLRs vs Speaker cable vs CAT (?) vs PCs. ALL are from different manufactures because they do different things.. I suppose I could use all the same color armor. :-)

Same way with Valves Sets? VERY few manufactures of valves make a lot of different valves anymore.. To expensive to do it..

BUT there are a LOT more valve manufactures popping up in Eastern Europe and mainland China..

US, Brit, Canada and French valves can do it again.. Maybe before I kick.

Mac valve sets use to have RCAs Tellies and or GEs to make up SETs.

MC275 use to be GL KT88s Tellies RCAs or Sylvania for signal valves..

Again SETS?..  match, Game, SET.

I add cables one at a time.. not in pairs, EVER.. First left then right about a week later... Always pays BIG dividends in A/B for me..  Good to test your own hearing ay? I turn around and listen too.. It's lead to an ear cleaning once or twice.... Ya never know..

Regards 

What tubes are you now using?