Metal Film vs. Bulk Foil resistors

audiogeekess · 3rd November 2011, 05:25 AM

Right now I have a voltage divider for each channel in my amp bypassing gain pots--fixed voltage divider of (0, 20k ohm). I am using a Metal Film 1% tolerance resistor right now for each channel--each measuring exactly 20.0k ohms on my multimeter.

Would I hear an audible improvement if I replaced those 25 cent metal film resistors with 20k ohm Vishay bulk foil resisters? They cost $20 for each resistor--so it would be a $40 "upgrade".

carlmart · 3rd November 2011, 01:48 PM

Audible improvement will depend on how good your system (electronics & speakers) is in fine resolution.

There are also different types in Vishay BFs, and prices. Have a look at Percy's, that stocks them all and has good prices:

Michael Percy Audio Ordering Information

sgrossklass · 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiogeekess

Would I hear an audible improvement if I replaced those 25 cent metal film resistors with 20k ohm Vishay bulk foil resisters? They cost $20 for each resistor--so it would be a $40 "upgrade".

I very much doubt it. Metal films have good linearity and excess noise properties already. I think the only types of resistors with problematic linearity are carbon composition and thick film.
EDIT: Reading up, it seems carbon films aren't exactly the very definition of linearity either (though less bad than carbon comps), but I think they were used in lots of audio equipment in the past and few people ever complained. The voltage coefficient of metal films is only about 1% as high as with these.

simon7000 · 3rd November 2011, 05:42 PM

Spend your money on Linear Audio Vol. 1 where different resistors results are shown. With the change leftover you can buy some good resistors and a small bottle of wine.

Mike Gergen · 3rd November 2011, 05:52 PM

I've noticed more of an improvement by going to .1% from 1% then changing to bulk foil.

Susumu .1% 1206 SMT RG series from Digikey; 64 cents each.

Not a huge amount of money for a decent component.

audiogeekess · 15th November 2011, 08:37 PM

Mike, can I use the surface mount resisters like I do the 1% metal film resisters, and not on a printed circuit board?

Bone · 15th November 2011, 09:10 PM

The audible improvement will be in direct proportion to how much you pay for them.

john curl · 15th November 2011, 09:29 PM

NO, you are wrong, Bone. The best resistors will measure the 'best' as well for the most part. For example, $10 Vishay bulk metal does not sound better (to my ears and many others) as a Roderstein Resista ($0.10). The measurements show similar performance. So 100:1 difference in price is not that different. Trust me, I use both for serious designs.

3rd November 2011, 05:25 AM	#1
audiogeekess diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2011	Metal Film vs. Bulk Foil resistors Right now I have a voltage divider for each channel in my amp bypassing gain pots--fixed voltage divider of (0, 20k ohm). I am using a Metal Film 1% tolerance resistor right now for each channel--each measuring exactly 20.0k ohms on my multimeter. Would I hear an audible improvement if I replaced those 25 cent metal film resistors with 20k ohm Vishay bulk foil resisters? They cost $20 for each resistor--so it would be a $40 "upgrade".

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3rd November 2011, 01:48 PM	#2
carlmart diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Brazil	Audible improvement will depend on how good your system (electronics & speakers) is in fine resolution. There are also different types in Vishay BFs, and prices. Have a look at Percy's, that stocks them all and has good prices: Michael Percy Audio Ordering Information

3rd November 2011, 05:42 PM	#4
simon7000 diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oakmont PA	Spend your money on Linear Audio Vol. 1 where different resistors results are shown. With the change leftover you can buy some good resistors and a small bottle of wine.

3rd November 2011, 05:52 PM	#5
Mike Gergen diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Elk River MN	I've noticed more of an improvement by going to .1% from 1% then changing to bulk foil. Susumu .1% 1206 SMT RG series from Digikey; 64 cents each. Not a huge amount of money for a decent component.

15th November 2011, 08:37 PM	#6
audiogeekess diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2011	Mike, can I use the surface mount resisters like I do the 1% metal film resisters, and not on a printed circuit board?

15th November 2011, 09:10 PM	#7
Bone diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Dorset, UK	The audible improvement will be in direct proportion to how much you pay for them.

15th November 2011, 09:29 PM	#8
john curl diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: berkeley ca	NO, you are wrong, Bone. The best resistors will measure the 'best' as well for the most part. For example, $10 Vishay bulk metal does not sound better (to my ears and many others) as a Roderstein Resista ($0.10). The measurements show similar performance. So 100:1 difference in price is not that different. Trust me, I use both for serious designs.

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