Best resistor type for passive I/V

[tubenut]

What is the best sounding resistor type on passive I/V?
Or what charateristics has anyone experienced with say Riken vs Vishay vs PRP or Holco?

I am looking to replace the MC load resistors on my RIAA pre (current amplification design) but I think the I/V resistor comments would be valid.......

Ta

[hagtech]

You're heading in a good direction. The metal fims are best for these small signals. They have the lowest noise and voltage coefficients. Lowest distortion. The "bulk" film versions can be even better, as they are not a thin spiral wind.

The ones you mentioned are all quite good. Tantalum (also a metal film) have a nice smooth sound but are very expensive.

Another parameter you can experiment with is the physical size. Perhaps the 1W package sounds better than the 1/4W. It changes the thermal characteristics and also the length of the actual resistive element.

The leads and bonding construction are also very important. Is this going into a circuit board or point-to-point? Some leads are magnetic. There's a reason some of these brands are so expensive. They're just plain made better.

I'm a fan of the PRPs. Was using their 8351 series over a decade ago.

jh