Beware: MCM is selling counterfeit 2sa1302

Toddy Audio · 19th December 2003, 03:59 PM

I've been having early failures of 2sa1302 transistors sourced from MCM ( parent company "premier" also has Newark and Farnell). I opened some up and found the "super tiny" 2mm die hidden under a blob of white silicone glue. The real ones I bought from "Parts Express" over a year ago have about a 5mm die. Please email if you want photos and I will post them.

Steve Eddy · 19th December 2003, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toddy Audio
I've been having early failures of 2sa1302 transistors sourced from MCM ( parent company "premier" also has Newark and Farnell). I opened some up and found the "super tiny" 2mm die hidden under a blob of white silicone glue. The real ones I bought from "Parts Express" over a year ago have about a 5mm die. Please email if you want photos and I will post them.

Bummer. Is MCM actually selling them as Toshiba parts or just 2SA1302 replacements?

Have you tried the OnSemi MJL1302s? We've used those and the genuine Toshibas and found the OnSemi parts to be more linear and more consistent than the Toshiba parts.

By the way, how'd you go about opening them up?

se

johnferrier · 19th December 2003, 05:02 PM

Possible Counterfeit 2SA1302's

http://sound.westhost.com/counterfeit.htm

JF

sam9 · 19th December 2003, 05:03 PM

I get mine from Digikey. Sold as Toshiba. One of the pair (I don't remeber which) has a green package. No problems but I've statred usin 2sa1943/2sc5200 instead.

Toddy Audio · 19th December 2003, 05:17 PM

They look very similar to the genuine Toshiba parts, the main difference is the darker lettering and a "sanded" appearance to the metal backing. They are labeled and being sold as genuine "Toshiba" and "Japan".

If you want to look at the die (prefer blown transistor) you will have to crack the case open, easy way is to apply pressure to the sides of the plastic case (vice works good). Be careful and wear eye protection, the case will break (fly) into several pieces.

dhaen · 19th December 2003, 05:21 PM

Should you not be taking this up with the supplier first?

Steve Eddy · 19th December 2003, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toddy Audio
If you want to look at the die (prefer blown transistor) you will have to crack the case open, easy way is to apply pressure to the sides of the plastic case (vice works good). Be careful and wear eye protection, the case will break (fly) into several pieces.

Cool.

A hammer and an anvil seems work well too.

Here's the inside of the OnSemi equivalent.

By the way, you should get in touch with MCM and demand a refund.

Toddy Audio · 19th December 2003, 06:50 PM

I've been in contact with MCM for the last 2 days, I requested they stop selling the 2SA1302 transistors they sold me.

They will issue me a credit for my last order of 2SA1302 transistors, I hope they do the same for others.

Steve Eddy · 19th December 2003, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toddy Audio
I've been in contact with MCM for the last 2 days, I requested they stop selling the 2SA1302 transistors they sold me.

They will issue me a credit for my last order of 2SA1302 transistors, I hope they do the same for others.

Great!

Wonder if someone should give 'em a call and try and order some and see what they say?

se

peranders · 19th December 2003, 07:00 PM

How do you know that they are fakes? It can maybe be chips made in a newer silicone process? I admit though the silicone glue looks mysterious.

Anyway I'm glad to be in Europe. Are there any firms here that deliver fakes? Never heard of one.

In Europe we have big distrubutors which buys directly from the manufactures. Fakes are out of the question! How does it work in USA? How are parts distributed?

19th December 2003, 03:59 PM	#1
Toddy Audio diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pennsylvania USA	Beware: MCM is selling counterfeit 2sa1302 I've been having early failures of 2sa1302 transistors sourced from MCM ( parent company "premier" also has Newark and Farnell). I opened some up and found the "super tiny" 2mm die hidden under a blob of white silicone glue. The real ones I bought from "Parts Express" over a year ago have about a 5mm die. Please email if you want photos and I will post them.

19th December 2003, 07:00 PM	#10
peranders Electrons are yellow and more is better! diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Göteborg, Sweden Blog Entries: 4	How do you know that they are fakes? It can maybe be chips made in a newer silicone process? I admit though the silicone glue looks mysterious. Anyway I'm glad to be in Europe. Are there any firms here that deliver fakes? Never heard of one. In Europe we have big distrubutors which buys directly from the manufactures. Fakes are out of the question! How does it work in USA? How are parts distributed? __________________ /Per-Anders (my first name) or P-A as my friends call me

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19th December 2003, 05:02 PM	#3
johnferrier diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: WA	Possible Counterfeit 2SA1302's http://sound.westhost.com/counterfeit.htm JF

19th December 2003, 05:03 PM	#4
sam9 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Left Coast	I get mine from Digikey. Sold as Toshiba. One of the pair (I don't remeber which) has a green package. No problems but I've statred usin 2sa1943/2sc5200 instead.

19th December 2003, 05:17 PM	#5
Toddy Audio diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pennsylvania USA	They look very similar to the genuine Toshiba parts, the main difference is the darker lettering and a "sanded" appearance to the metal backing. They are labeled and being sold as genuine "Toshiba" and "Japan". If you want to look at the die (prefer blown transistor) you will have to crack the case open, easy way is to apply pressure to the sides of the plastic case (vice works good). Be careful and wear eye protection, the case will break (fly) into several pieces.

19th December 2003, 05:21 PM	#6
dhaen diyAudio Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: U.K.	Should you not be taking this up with the supplier first?

19th December 2003, 06:50 PM	#8
Toddy Audio diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pennsylvania USA	I've been in contact with MCM for the last 2 days, I requested they stop selling the 2SA1302 transistors they sold me. They will issue me a credit for my last order of 2SA1302 transistors, I hope they do the same for others.

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