Tubes for a pre stage... matched NEW or unmatched identical NOS?

from stereophile’s review of the sphinx v3

Description: Hybrid integrated amplifier with 12AU7 tubes in line stage and class-D output stage. Power output: 100Wpc into 8 ohms (20dBW), 200Wpc into 4 ohms (20dBW). THD: <0.1% typical, <1% at rated power. Frequency response: 5Hz–20kHz, ±1dB. Input sensitivity: 1.0V RMS. Power requirements: 115/230V–50/60Hz.

12au7 pair is in line stage, not phono stage (which is solid state)...

...not to say that matching and low noise are not important, but just significantly less so than if it were in the phono stage

12AU7-based mu-follower preamplifier stage driving a 100Wpc (into 8 ohm), class-D, solid-state power amplifier

A mu-follower has plenty of gain which has to be padded down to drive the Hypex UcD-180 Class D. Weird.

Everyone should figure where the bottom line is located and how it works.

It's extremely simple and safe to assume that dealers pragmatically label the tubes they sell to you as matched while in reality it's just a tube and sometimes even cigar is just a cigar.

FYI, I really haven't enjoyed any newer tubes, all of my favorites are NOS. I do use matched tubes for each channel of my 2 channel amp.

For the money, it is very hard to beat 1960s RCA "Clear Top" tubes; you can usually find them for about $20 or so each and they are terrific.

If you want next level it will cost you, I really enjoy Amperex tubes. My favorites are Amperex 7308 PQs, Amperex 7316 "Long Plates", Amperex 6922 PQs, and Phillips 12AU7s.

Thanks to all for all the interesting posts.

It seems that matched is the way to go, but as I don’t want to spend top money on NOS tubes I will to manage with NEW production tubes.

What are your favorite 12au7 type NEW production?