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the answer is yes, as long as you are not trying to change the characteristics of the initial design. IF the design was for a 12AX7, then by all means , the best 12AX7 tube would bring the unit to the top of the spec chart, and , as we see above, a crappy 12Ax7 would maintain poor performance.
Now, if you are trying to change things such as headroom or gain , beyond the initial design, the answer is no. Can you get some mild changes ? Sure maybe, but generally no. As an old tube schooled electronics guy one of the first things you learn is that tube circuit designers selected a tube and designed there circuits around that tubes requirements.
A few years back I was playing thru a 40 watt Hot Rod Deluxe, it didn't have enough clarity for Steel Guitar, it broke up to early. I probably had one of every top brand 12ax7 , family relatives and 6L6's in the parts box and swapped them to death. Some things did change, tone, , some gain went down,some were tinny sounding all that, but the headroom pretty much stayed the same. I did fix the problem though, I got rid of the HR Deluxe and got a 60 Watt HR Deville !
If indeed you a have tube preamp you should have the best tube plugged in, or at least a good one !
My ART preamp has a Fender ( sovtek) 12ax7 on both sides, it works fine, or at least I think it does..
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