I replaced the volume pot on my tube preamplifier.

Thanks @viridian. I've played a bunch of tracks to get a measure on the changes. Everything is louder–much more dynamic, music soars–it's almost unsettling, deeper bass, sweeter highs, more air, hidden instruments and voices revealed. 

@mulveling  It’s certainly an eye-opener for sure. Most manufacturers are component lazy, compromising their product sonically and economically. 

Agree! I’m normally a fan of "affordable, but reliable and sounds good" parts (like resistors, caps), and get a little hesitant to just blindly go in for exotic $$$ parts which can sometimes change the sound a little too sterile, bright, or analytical IMO. But the Alps Blue is defintely NOT a good sounding part in a very critical position; most of its alternatives sound better :) 

So you went from ALPS with wipers to discrete ?  How old were the originals?

@erik_squires  No. There’s not enough room to fit a discrete unit. The TACOS are carbon wipers whereas the Alps were plastic film. And, truth be told, I’m somewhat frugle in wringing out the best bang for the buck. 

Ah, interesting.  I wasn't sure I thought someone made a discrete mini pot with surface mounted resistors.  Glad your experiment worked out!