Single Rectifier vs. Dual Rectifier - Sound Differences

[mikeweber74]

Is there a big sound difference between the Single and Dual Rectifiers? I have the Single and was wondering if the Dual gives a chunkier metal sound?

 

[Sir Punk]

the minimal volume to which you have to set the dual is in my opinion higher. I doubt anybody can tell the difference in a blind test. I would prefer the single if I had a choice. but now I am "stuck" with a dual because was a pretty good deal.

 

[Elpelotero]

talk to clutch71 (Dave)

 

[clutch71]

Is there a big sound difference between the Single and Dual Rectifiers? I have the Single and was wondering if the Dual gives a chunkier metal sound?

Yes and no.

IMO A DR set on Bold,Modern, Silicone diode is going to sound just like a SR with a slightly less bass response. A simple adjustment of the eq may help. Never A/B'd them through the same cab when I had both for a short period of time.

IMO A DR on Bold, Vintage, Rectifier tubes sounds better than an SR on Vintage.

The SR will break up at lower volumes but the difference in output is slight.

The Dual has better clean headroom but that doesn't mean the cleans are better IMO.

The channel assignable loop is a great feature but I don't like parallel loops. To really enjoy the tube rectification you have to kick the thing in the guts. If not, your not getting the bang for the buck.

Bottom line both are great. I'd worry more about the options you want than the sound difference.

 

[Sir Punk]

so at what volume can you start hearing the rectifier? I'm sure it's also gonna be the last thing I get to hear...LOL

 

[fluff191]

so at what volume can you start hearing the rectifier? I'm sure it's also gonna be the last thing I get to hear...LOL

Dude if you are hearing ANYTHING you are hearing the Rectifier, because it is converting the input voltages. Thats what the rectifier does. 98% of the rest of the tone happens at the power tubes and preamp tubes.

 

[msi]

Dude if you are hearing ANYTHING you are hearing the Rectifier, because it is converting the input voltages. Thats what the rectifier does. 98% of the rest of the tone happens at the power tubes and preamp tubes.

Simply put that is accurate. But in practice a tube rectifier and diode rectifier behave differently when the power tubes are being pushed. Silicon Diodes react quickly to current changes and are not affected by large fluctuations in current requirements. Tube rectifiers on the other hand react very slow when the current draw in the amp quickly changes. The effect of this in the power amp and preamp tubes is a drop in available voltage, or what we feel as the amps sag. This doesn't matter as long as the amps current draw is constant. But if your playing at a high volume the power tubes are drawing lots of current. When you stop their current draw stops. You start playing again the current draw spikes back up. Rectifier tubes can't keep up, so you'll feel a little bit of sag until they catch back up. Silicon diodes can, so you don't get the sag.

Also, tube rectifiers generally tend to be inefficient at converting AC to DC so that the voltages when using the tube rectifier is lower than the silicon diodes. This causes a little bit lower headroom in the power amp and a slight loss of gain in the preamp.

So yea, if your hearing stuff it passes through the rectifiers, but the rectifiers can affect every tonal aspect of the amp.

 

[wildrat666]

single recto=slightly less bass, tighter feeling. great metal amp
dual recto= more bass, great also

you cant go wrong

 

[pokerrules47]

Having owned both a rectoverb and a roadster (in the rectifier series), I can say that although I haven't A/B'd them, I would like to point out that the rectoverb truly owns the rectifier name. It's a very bold and fun amp to play with, with a TON of tones available. Very few of those tones are unusable ... at least for me.

Where the dual is useful is when you need more power, or you want some more tonal variation.

Since I got my roadster, I have spent most of my time digging the spongy/tube rectification settings as they are the most different from the rectoverb. After dialing in the sounds I liked on the bold setting, I flipped it to spongy and wow, what a difference. I did not really think that setting would do much but I was surprised.

The volume difference isn't that great between the amps with a 1x12, but if you put either of the amps in front of a 4x12, you will notice more of a difference. They both sound great either way. The dual will make a 4x12 break up a bit sooner.

I found the rectoverb was really crisp on the modern setting. With the spongy setting on the roadster I don't notice it is as crisp. Could be the fact that I am using a 2x12 with non-mesa speakers in it?

 

[lerxst88]

I dont have alot of experience with rectos but I tried out a recto-verb combo and it was great. I tried a triple rectifier through a marshall 4x12 and that was AWESOME!

 

[DirtyNoise]

I have owned both and gigged both...For me the SR is the way to go. I always was just a tad too loud for everyone when my DR was hitting the tone I was after...I had set of Dougs tubes in the DR as well.
Now my current set-up is the 2x12FB cab and 2x12 PPC Orange cab into my SR with set of Dougs.
It's over the top at live giggin levels and very enjoyable at practice as well. The only thing I'd like to see on the SR is another channel..but that will be solved soon when I get an Orange head and then AB it all

 

[cellardweller]

Noteworthy also is the fact that when it comes time to re-tube, you cut your expenditure in half with a single recto!!!

I love my solo 50 head, and have only recently begun to unleash what that little beast is capable of!

I've not yet had to hit noon on either output nor master volume knobs!(Jamming with drummer/vocals right now only {output @ approx 10, master @ approx 10:30-11}

 

[coppa]

amen

the solo 50 doesn't get as much love as it deserves

it made me realize how much work my musicianship needed because I no longer had any complaints about the sound of my rig.

 

[dodger916]

I owned a Recto-verb and thought it was a great amp. The Mark IV was closer to what I needed so the RVerb got returned....but it's very enjoyable to play. Great rhythm tones.

 

[mikeweber74]

Well, I picked up a 3-channel Dual Rectifier by trading my fender strat and I'm loving the sound of this thing. Its got more Recto flavor than my Single Rectifier, even at bedroom levels. The vintage setting on the DR orange channel sounds much better than the SR vintage mode, the modern setting on the red channel is what I've been looking for, and the clean channel on the DR seems cleaner and warmer. The SR is still a great amp but the DR is the sound I've been after. I was able to dial some good tones in right away. Plus I'm liking the effects loop too. My pedals seem to sound better and I don't get any crazy clipping like I did on the SR.

 

[Areola]

Try pulling some tubes on the DR (consult further if you're unsure what to do there)

but compare the sound of the DR with tubes pulled and the SR. I'm quite interested to know. No one's ever really mentioned it before

 

[mikeweber74]

So, I've been going back and forth between the Single and Dual Rec. After owning the SR for a few months I finally dialed in a sweet tone and I don't even need the MXR 10-band EQ. It sounds pretty close to the DR but awesome in its own way. Starting to appreciate the SR for its simplicity of two channels. I like some of the extra features of the DR like the bold/spongy, and extra dials for the fx loop. Not sure which one I'm gonna keep yet.

 

[Areola]

Sell them both and get a Road King.

Best of both worlds and some reverb!

 

[Sixstringpsycho]

I actually wanna highjack for a second and say thanks for this thread, I own a DC-5 but am thinking of getting a recto and am stuck between SR and DR and this thread is helping me decide. Thanks guys

 

[Chuck Bravo]

To my ears, the Single sounds airy and open compared to the Dual, but when I stomp on the Tubesceamer, the Single sounds more compressed like the Dual.

The Single really shines when it's time to move it. It's half the weight.