Question about CJ PV10a

[Dr-Sardonicus]

Hi all, I believe this is the best place for this post to go, but if an admin disagrees then feel free to relocate it to the correct forum!

I'm currently running a Conrad Johnson PV10a preamp, using the onboard phono stage. I know next to nothing about electronics. I’m a little confused about whether I need a matched pair of 12ax7 (in the phono section) and 12au7 tubes (in the preamp section) when I go to replace them.

Does the signal split into left and right with each channel going through a separate tube? Or does a stereo signal pass through each tube?

As I understand it, if it’s the former I’ll need a matched pair, so the effect is identical on L and R, but if the latter, I needn’t worry about matching pairs of tubes, if I’m not mistaken.

So are you able to tell me whether the signal splits into L/R? I have tried looking at a circuit schematic but it's all greek to me.

Thanks
Dave

[Barry]

I would have thought each channel goes through separate valves in both the phono section and in the preamp section, so a matched pair is required of both valve types.