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

If the rectifier is doing 100% of the job, it shouldn’t have much impact on sound. Sort of a big if in the real world. There can be a bit of sag when the amp gets pushed hard with rectifier tubes, which can be a desirable thing for guitar amps, but not so much for hi-fi. As long as in-rush current doesn’t pose a problem in a given circuit, solid state rectification can be a great way to accomplish that task.

There are always a bunch of variables in play, but IME output tubes have made the most significant differences, but I’ve also heard ample differences in the drive tubes, so don’t want to dismiss the value of exploring that avenue too (tends to be a cheaper approach!). If you have a tube preamp, those tubes can make a pretty audible difference too.

Because every circuit can use different values, and different brand components in support of a given circuit for the same tube type, every tube is likely to sound different if placed into a different amp. There’s also a lot subjective preference involved too, so ultimately, other’s opinions may give you some direction, but you still need to experiment and draw your own conclusions.

With that said, I’ve pretty much settled on RCA clear top 12AU7s as phase splitters, and Sylvania 12BH7a as a center voltage driver for my Dyna/VTA 70 amps. I’m currently running Tung-Sol 7581A outputs, but have also really enjoyed the Gold Lion KT66s. Prior to that I found the EH EL34s to be a great bang for the buck with good mids, and the Nesstone 6CA7 to have more solid bass. Have liked JJ ECC803S in my preamp, but like the Mullard CV4004 better. YMMV (more likely YMWV!)

My audio budget has historically been miniscule compared to some, but I was fortunate enough to re-tube and experiment quite a bit in the year or two prior to Russia invading the Ukraine. Tube prices have more than doubled in most cases since then. If you’ve got ample budget to play, have at it. If you need to be more miserly, I’d suggest doing preamp (if it applies) and driver tubes first.

@knotscott 

You’re the second person today that has brought the Tung Sol 7581A to my attention. I haven’t heard them but was told they are higher output than good 6L6’. Have noticed some selling a TS 7591- is that a newer version or just a substitute? They’re also less expensive than the 7581.

Never used a 7591, but I’m pretty sure it’s a different tube altogether with different pin wiring, and not interchangeable with a 7581. The 7581A is the higher output version....KT66 and 6L6 are interchangeable with it AFAIK, but always check your owners manual.

In my case, the TS7581A was a replacement to a very nice sounding GL KT66. They’re approaching 30 hours now, and I’m having little urge to go back to the KT66 at the moment.

+1 for TS 7581A.  I run them in 4 monoblocs and a phono power supply. 

On my tube amps, I've always gotten the most noticeable changes rolling the input gain tubes. Power tubes basically boost whatever is fed to them, but they do have their own voice as well and can also bring some change, most usually in the lower range and sometimes in midrange warmth.

In the long run, it's more economical to stick to rolling the small tubes. My rolling MO is to find a power tube I like that is readily available since they consume themselves at a more rapid pace. Current manufacture Tung-Sol's are my go to choice in that regard  I do the same with the small tubes, my reasoning being that I would hate to fall in love with a rare NOS tube and then have to switch to something else because it was too hard or impossible to get future replacements. The best NOS small tubes never get cheaper because there are less of them available as each year passes. The up side is that, depending on how they are driven, they can last upwards of 10,000 hours.

Tube rolling is fun, but it can also be an expensive pain in the keister. A tube amp that offers switching between triode and ultra-linear gives you an additional choice for sound treatment with the same tubes, and IMO, it's a must have.