Superb low-level transistors ...

[gentlevoice]

Hi,

I am looking for superb low-level analog transistors - possibly better alternatives to:

2SC2240 & complementary A940
2SC1815
2SB737 & complementary from ROHM
2SC2570 (not exactly an audio transistor, but in some respects sounds outstanding, in my opinion)
2SC1775 & complementary A872
2SK170 & complementary SJ74

Anybody knows about superb sounding alternatives? Low voltages are fine (e.g. 30-50 VDC), max current capability can be low (e.g. 40 mA), low Cob, low noise - what I am looking for are transistors with a superb, balanced sound (both bipolars and FETs)....

Regards,

Jesper

[aparatusonitus]

In Farnell catalog you can find 2SC2240BL and 2SA970BL.

[gentlevoice]

Thanks for the feedback....

What I am thinking of is if there are other superb transistors than those I have mentioned.

I do have access to the transistors mentioned above but thanks for the suggestion.

Regards,

Jesper

[EchoWars]

A few alternatives to the Japanese transistors, which can be a real pain-in-the-**** to source here in the US.

On-Semi 2N4401/2N4403. Used them in a few phono stages and was very happy with the result.

Zetex ZTX694B and ZTX795A for line stages and amp input stages.

Fairchild's Japanese replacement line (KSA, KSB, KSC, and KSD)seems to be every bit as good as the Japanese originals. Been using a lot of KSA992's and KSC1845's. Compare these parts to the 2SA872 & 2SC1775.

[jacco vermeulen]

2SC2570 ? Shocks !

If you like it fast, just for fun : 2SA1538S/2SC3953S
400MHz/120V in TO92, not to be confused with Sanyo's A1538/C3953 in TO220 jacket.
(but don't bother to look for a datasheet)

[gentlevoice]

Hey Jacco,

Yups, the 2570 is a fast one ... very low Cob and extremely high Ft. I have used it e.g. in I/V converters from a DAC without filtering - in my opinion it sounds very good here.

Thanks for your tip about the transistors. Do you know where to source them?

And now I find that I have sufficient input to make a shortlist of interesting transistors for comparisons - so thanks for the suggestions!

Regards,

Jesper

[jacco vermeulen]

As i said, just for fun.
These devices are obsolete, i got them from various sources and with floating supplies there's no sense in keeping records.
You asked for superb small signal parts, not easy peasy sources.

A couple of weeks ago i seem to have blanked the stock of $2.95 V-grade 2SK389 dual JFETs at Sound & Light Electronics (.net) in Southern California.
I noticed they list the A1538S at 3 two-bits the piece.(haven't checked where to trace the 2SC complementary parts in quite a while as i already have plenty)

[gentlevoice]

I checked the 2SK398's data sheet today. Looks like an interesting transistor yet I noticed that compared with the 2SK 170 it has somewhat less "stable" noise figure graphs. Have you compared these two?

Jesper

P.S.: just checked the Sound & Light etc. and they seem to have ample different types - thanks for the tip!

[gentlevoice]

Do you know where to source the Fairchild transistors in small amounts?

Jesper

[EchoWars]

Sure...Mouser sells them in the US. I'm sure that either Mouser, or Fairchild has some sort of distribution chain in Europe.