Rectifier question.

Can someone please explain in non technical terms what the purpose of a rectifier is on a tube amp. Do all amps have rectifiers? What would be the difference in sound or tone with or without etc. Thanks in advance! FM

A rectifier plain and simple converts the AC power coming into the amp, from AC to DC, tubes operate on DC, the rectifier is not part of the signal path but does affect the signal because of the relationship it has with the power tubes, when the power tubes demand current, the rectifer supplies it, when the amp is cranked, the rectifier has a harder time keeping up with demand and this is what Sag is, the slight delay between demand and supply, Amps have either a tube or solid state rectifier, Rectifier tubes are diode tubes, solid state rectifiers are also diodes. The difference in sound is generally, solid state, tighter bass, maybe a slightly harder more focused distortion, maybe better for metal or clean country type stuff, tube rectifer, softer bass, blooming of the note because of sag, maybe a little more natural sustain, more of a blues, blues rock sound, High Wattage amps exceed the ability of a tube rectifer to supply enough current, so they are usally solid state rectifiers, or Dual Rectifers.

Thanks much for the reply pstring! Wish I knew more about electronics. FM