Best Part Supplier?

[jarediy]

Who is the best source for electronic components?

CE Distribution?
New Sensor?
ARS in Cali?

[Enzo]

How long is a piece of string? What is the best entree to order in a restaurant?

It all depends upon what you are trying to order, what you need.

For basic components, I am more likely to go to Mouser or Allied or even Digikey. Even Jameco occasionally has something I need.

Mouser is usually my first call, but Allied consistently has stock and way better prices on Motorola power semis (now On Semiconductor). I occasionally use B&D Enterprises for Sanken transistors. SO far I have not gotten any fakes from them. Digikey has a very wide range of caps.

If I need Asian transistor types, then many times I go to MCM. I have not gotten any fakes from them either and they have a wide selection.

For specifics like 500v e-caps or amp specific film caps, then I do look to CEDist, Magic parts, and similar. Those companies tend to overlap a lot, so I might order from one over the other based mainly on who I was buying tubes from at the time. They also sell some OEM parts like pots. I generally see better prices and good service from CEDist, but I have always gotten good service from Magic on my orders there as well. No complaints at New Sensor, I just rarely use them.

Parts Express has a whole lot of speaker related stuff. Crossover components, jack plates, corners and handles, and the drivers themselves

I also find good wholesale prices at Martin Sound Products - they sell speakers and speaker related stuff, and diaphragms.

SO I have many best sources. When I shop, I usually make a chart on a legal pad, with columns for each distributor. I get good service from them all, so I shop prices. SOmetimes I need only one part from one supplier but a bunch from another. Then i will pay the higher price to get that one part from the other supplier too, just to save double shipping costs.

[Geek]

Oh my, this is one of those difficult questions.

Enzo is right, it depends on your project.

In total, I order from about 20 suppliers, depending on the build or repair.

I favor some though, even though they are more expensive, because of the insanely friendly service and "No like? No problem!" policies. AES and DigiKey fall into that category

Cheers!

[unclejed613]

another good supplier is B&D. they are actively involved with anti-counterfeiting efforts, and supply genuine parts. a little bit more pricey than other suppliers, but good service.