Skip to main content
Dictionary
Store
Blog
World
Help
Advertise
Chat
System Status
Information Collection Notice
Trademark Concerns
reCAPTCHA Privacy
Terms of Service
reCAPTCHA Terms
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Report a Bug
Data Request
Contact Us
Security
DMCA
© 1999–2026 Urban Dictionary ®
Mugs
Tees
Hoodies
Pro Customization
Create unique products with your own words and definitions
Preview
Personalize Your Design
Your Word
Your Definition
The practice of swapping out different brands of a particular type (say, KT88 or EL34, to name two common types) of tubes in an audio amplifier. Being the component in an amplifier that actually amplifies the signal, the tube chosen can have quite an effect on the sound. Because of different quality control and manufacturing techniques from one company to another, simply swapping out the tubes in your amplifier can change the sound. Naturally, all of this is very subjective to the tastes of the particular listener, but objectively some tubes are more linear than others and so should provide more accurate sound reproduction. Tube rolling, then, can be thought of as auditioning different tubes, much the way you audition different amps or speakers themselves in a store before buying them.
Text fits
Save
Cancel