Replacing NPN, do i care about hFE?

[studeb]

I am replacing some 2sc458 NPN transistors with 2sc2240 in a tape playback amp. And wonder about the grades to use. On the schematic the hFE grades for the 458 are C 160-320 and D 250-500. For the 2240 the grades i have are GR 200-400 and BL 350-700.
Should I replace with GR or BL? Higher hFE would give more gain or? But then would this through off the eq? Or am i bass ackwards again? Does it matter as i will have to set the PB level and EQ anyways?

FWIW the 458s i pulled measured 200+/-10 on my multimeter. I know that is not an accurate way to measure, but it could be used to group them. The 2240s come in at 200 +/- and 400+/-.

Thanks for any advice.

For reference here is the PB circuit, i marked red circles on the in and out

 

[bob91343]

It's not critical at all. Looking at the grading numbers, I'd go with the lower gain units.

 

[kevinkr]

It's not critical at all. Looking at the grading numbers, I'd go with the lower gain units.

Certainly safer from the standpoint of stability..

 

[studeb]

Thanks for the help. Lower gain it is then.