How close is close enough when it comes to power tube matching?

[mnemonic]

What sort of sound difference (if it can be quantified) is there between matched and very unmatched tubes?

I have an amp with two KT88’s and one draws about twice the current of the other, currently have the bias pot all the way down (to avoid runaway and I also kinda prefer the sound of cold bias), one drawing 12ma, the other 25mA (485v at plate)

I know I should just buy a new pair of tubes but it does sound good now, and I am dragging my feet dropping £100 on a pair of tubes that was probably £50 a couple years ago.

 

[7704A]

More even harmonics (I think heard as "warmer"?). If they are far enough off, possibly more hum too.

 

[boltzthrower]

Had an amp tech tell me 3.5 mA or less is industry standard. No idea where he got that. I’ve had pairs drift to around 7 or 8 apart and never noticed.