Transconductance (Gm) may contribute some characteristic to the sound but it's depend on the taste. The advantage of high Gm tube is you can have low impedance and high gain stage. You may

the sound of 12GN7 in triode mode. I just recommended you try a proven design first.
12BH7 is also a good tube. It's an uprate 6SN7 to me. Very good for linestage.