Mechans, you answered for me very nicely; actually.
***I certainly think for the most part that a warm tube sounds warm where ever they are with a few exceptions. there is no doubt though, that certain tubes just don't work in all circuits***
I completely agree, although I know some will disagree. I currently own one piece that uses 12ax7's, but own and use three that use 6dj8's. In all three pieces the Telefunken 6dj8 produces a full bodied, dimensional sound with a timbre closest to "neutral" as I define it; reminiscent of the classic Audio Research tonality. In one of the pieces, a modded Melos 222c occasionally used for it's line stage, the Teles' fullness and lack of zip or edge is too much of a good thing for this preamp which is inherently on the dark side. With this pre, West German Siemens 7308, which yields a brighter, less corpulent sound, with excellent high frequency extension is
much better. I hear similar tonality/timbre from my Tele 12ax7's in my
phono pre.