Tube Rollers! Which has more impact to your sound- Rectifier or Power (and why)?

Having just changed out the line stage tubes on my McIntosh C2200, I would strongly recommend that you contact Brent Jessee (audiotubes.com) for his expertise and suggestions based on your needs.  

I wish I had contacted him years ago as the difference changing out the tubes to those he suggested has made an incredible difference, and at a very modest price.

My experience with vintage gear is that a bad/cheap rectifier tube can cause problems/bad sound, but a good one just makes the system work correctly (i.e. it doesn't enhance the sound quality). Power tubes, on the other hand, will have a significant impact on your system's sound signature (different tube types will boost/diminish bass response, while different tube brands/qualities will change the clarity and tonal response). 

Again, this is my limited experience with a 1950s amp. Oh! and I definitely agree that the biggest enhancement in overall sound quality comes from rolling the input gain stage tubes!!

desingnsfx,

As others have suggested, when in doubt, reach out to Brent Jessee.....he is simply the best resource for information and tubes.

Tube rolling power tubes is a no go for me, as I have 4 output tubes, I currently have Tung Sol KT88s and KT120s.

Rectifiers do make a difference, my Philips 5R4GYS tubes are better than my Mullard GZ37s, which are better yet than the more common Sylvania and RCA rectifiers (some of which can be quite good). The Philips used to be affordable, but believe they're about $250 each now

Signal tubes. Not sure which you use, but I've never been disappointed in any NOS Amperex tubes.....Brent also has the best reference material I've ever seen on old 12AU7, 12AT7, 12AX7, 6SL7, and 6DJ8 style signal tubes.....just click on your style of tube in the yellow box

http://www.audiotubes.com/

Best of luck

In my experience both to a similar degree but in slightly different ways!!! I have recently been rolling tubes in my Supratek preamp. It takes 1 rectifier in the power supply and 2-6l6 output and 2-6sn7 input/driver. Changing my rectifiers I noticed more detail and punch with my best tube a Mullard GZ34, next best is my RCA 5AS4A ST bottle which has more warmth, fullness, more laid back. Other 5U4GB and 5AR4 from Sylvania, Tung Sol, GE, Sovtek, Reflector, RCA were fine performers but just missing a little something. Output tubes I could hear subtlety more bass punch, dynamics, clarity and details in highs, soundstage refinement. Not big just slight differences comparing RCA 6L6GB ‘60 blackplates, NOS Russian CP3S, CP3S-E, Svetlana 6L6GC, Shuguang military ‘70’s 6L6GC. The biggest differences by far were changing the input/driver 6SN7’s many to choose from. Fyi- that Phillips 5R4GYS is next to impossible to find and they go for $300-400 per tube. Only one on ebay in Asia (Thailand?) for $320. Russian output tubes from ‘60-70’s sound amazing and are bargains if you are willing to buy from Ukraine etc. Good luck with it all.

@tksteingraber 

Thanks for sharing your experience- just wanted to ask, have you purchased tubes from sources in Ukraine?