Tube Rolling - Rectifier Vacuum Tubes

Tube Rolling – Rectifier Tubes

Ah yes the ole rectifier tube. It’s a tube that gets zero love and is always the last to be replaced. I know there are plenty that will tell you that the rectifier makes no difference in the audio chain and that its only purpose is to convert AC power to DC power. I am not part of that camp. I believe that all the tubes make some difference / change in the amp tone.

In my opinion every piece of the amp plays a role all the way down to the volume pot used in Integrated amps. With that said the last tube I roll in my amps is the rectifier just like the rest of you. For me the logic is simple. The rectifier has about 10% input on the audio sound. While the power tubes have a 30% effect and the preamp tubes have a 60% effect. These are just my percentages, and only my opinions.

Here is what I do when rolling tubes. I start with the preamp tubes and get the music where I like. Then roll in some power tubes and get that combo just right. I am sure we are all after close to the same sound. Solid lows, lush warm mids, and clean clear non fatiguing highs. When I feel like I have my system at that point it is time to roll in a new rectifier tube.

Even though the rectifier plays a small role in the sound it can be a final piece of the puzzle when looking for the perfect sound. My experience with rectifier tubes is that they can really focus a sound and remove some of the fuzziness in the music.

A rectifier will not fix bad tube matching in the first 2 steps mentioned above. It is really a cherry on top of the sundae so to speak. When everything is right though man o man! If you haven’t rolled in a NOS Rectifier Tube you need to !