Hi I have an amp ( NAD2700 thx ) whose output transistors were replaced at some point with Sankyen - I’m trying to find some genuine 2SC3281/2SA1302 to replace them with - not sure if there will be any benefit - only way I can tell is that my unmodified 30 year old 2400 sounds better than the repaired unit - and I’m not sure if going back to the Toshiba pair will make the difference but worth a try ? If so, how do I get genuine pairs vs counterfeit- the fake 2SC3281/2SA1302 may be worse than the sankyens I currently have
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If one amp sounds better than a similar one, the differences are probably NOT the power transistors’ fault. Sanken vs. Toshiba of similar quality and die size isn’t going to change the way it sounds. Perhaps the repaired one is under biased.
Chances of finding real 2SC3281 these days are slim to none. Current production Sanken (whatever LAPT type they are selling today), Toshiba 2SC5200, or MJW0281 would be closest to original - in terms of amplifier performance. Ruggedness wise, MJW0281 would have the edge and be similar to the old 2SC3281. Onsemi’s 3281 is a bigger higher power version. It may sound exactly the same as the Toshiba, but does have higher capacitance. In minimalistic circuits you will measure higher high order IMD. If oversize drivers or EF3 are employed the higher capacitance is effectively swamped and it is a better solution.
Chances of finding real 2SC3281 these days are slim to none. Current production Sanken (whatever LAPT type they are selling today), Toshiba 2SC5200, or MJW0281 would be closest to original - in terms of amplifier performance. Ruggedness wise, MJW0281 would have the edge and be similar to the old 2SC3281. Onsemi’s 3281 is a bigger higher power version. It may sound exactly the same as the Toshiba, but does have higher capacitance. In minimalistic circuits you will measure higher high order IMD. If oversize drivers or EF3 are employed the higher capacitance is effectively swamped and it is a better solution.
