I want to replace the components on my amplifier with the highest quality parts I can afford. Is there like a outstanding manufacturer for say resistors?
I have been goggling for parts but it seems there’s no mention of weather they are excellent or just average. Is there a supplier that I can email and say I want A B C and the best you have that specialise in audiophile quality ?
I have been goggling for parts but it seems there’s no mention of weather they are excellent or just average. Is there a supplier that I can email and say I want A B C and the best you have that specialise in audiophile quality ?
So far I have read that
Vishay VAR-Series "naked" Z201 Z-FOIL RESISTORs are possible the best you can get your hands on.. they are as far as I can see about $15 each from a US supplier, so far I hav'nt found a UK source.
Z201 Z-FOIL RESISTORs
Then at this site Site Link he describes why they are and others like below :
TX2575: the "naked" Z foil resistor go for : S102K (1%) 47K (.6W) $14.90 @ Texas Components
Some info
Z201: the original Z foil resistors see above.
TX2352: the original "naked Vishay"
S102 C/K: the encapsulated C/K foil resistors
of cousre this is just one person opinion I'm sure people have their own.
Vishay VAR-Series "naked" Z201 Z-FOIL RESISTORs are possible the best you can get your hands on.. they are as far as I can see about $15 each from a US supplier, so far I hav'nt found a UK source.
Z201 Z-FOIL RESISTORs
Then at this site Site Link he describes why they are and others like below :
TX2575: the "naked" Z foil resistor go for : S102K (1%) 47K (.6W) $14.90 @ Texas Components
Some info
Z201: the original Z foil resistors see above.
TX2352: the original "naked Vishay"
S102 C/K: the encapsulated C/K foil resistors
of cousre this is just one person opinion I'm sure people have their own.
From a technical standpoint, Vishay Z-foil resistors are probably the best resistor technology available. Think of them as miniaturized wirewound resistors with outstanding temperature and voltage coefficients. Generally, metal film resistors with very low temperature coefficients (25 ppm or less are the best of film technology) are a good price compromise. Carbon film and carbon composition aren't even close, but depending on applications, especially in high voltage apps, they have their place.
See also Caddock thin and thick film resistors, especially for higher voltages (300 volts and above)
If there's a better resistor technology than bulk metal foil, I'd like to hear about it. Too bad they're so expensive, hence my fallback to metal film such as mil-spec RN55E (25 ppm) and Vishay/Dale PTF series, for example.
See also Caddock thin and thick film resistors, especially for higher voltages (300 volts and above)
If there's a better resistor technology than bulk metal foil, I'd like to hear about it. Too bad they're so expensive, hence my fallback to metal film such as mil-spec RN55E (25 ppm) and Vishay/Dale PTF series, for example.
Z-foil
Metal film resistors do not sound good.
Z-foil sound better than other metal films, but against the good carbon films without magnetic caps, they sound muddy and totally uninvolving.
And they are very pricey.
Z-Foil for cheap? No, thanks!
Metal film resistors do not sound good.
Z-foil sound better than other metal films, but against the good carbon films without magnetic caps, they sound muddy and totally uninvolving.
And they are very pricey.
Z-Foil for cheap? No, thanks!
I still prefer the Vishay S102. Due to the encapsulation, a lack of microphonics I think makes it the winner. I have been using them for 20 years. Regards
I find RS RS Components | Electronic and Electrical Components or Farnell world-leading distributor of electronic and maintenance, repair and operations products. | Farnell United Kingdom are very good.
Use metal film resistors where you can.
Use metal film resistors where you can.
Z-foil is of course top notch... but for normal people with reasonable budgets the Vishay Dale CMF/RN 55/60/65 series are probably the resistor of choise, well available at Digi-Key, Mouser, etc and Schuro at eBay. With added avantage of various power ratings and virtual all values, which cannot be said for the Z-foil on sale....
For the power resistor in the output stage, the Fukushima Futaba MPC metal plate resistors are considered very good (refer to the group buy forum, and I'm getting some 5W various values stock soon 😉).
And there are of course the Takman resistors... yummie....either metal fim or carbon, have a look here.
For the power resistor in the output stage, the Fukushima Futaba MPC metal plate resistors are considered very good (refer to the group buy forum, and I'm getting some 5W various values stock soon 😉).
And there are of course the Takman resistors... yummie....either metal fim or carbon, have a look here.
Last edited:
No!
Absolutely not!
Z-Foil resistors do not sound good! They are lifeless, dull bass, without dynamics and layering into time and space.
Use carbon film instead! Takmans cannot be surpassed! Listen to them!
Of course each one of us has his experience and opinion, but I would nevertheless avoid to make absolute statements like that. The reference I made about Vishay Dale is based on an excellent/profound objective noise testing in Linear Audio last year (recommended reading). Then, the recommendation for MPC resistor is based on concencus seen here and elsewhere by many folks, again based on objective measurements and/or commen sense knowledge.
Stating bad/good is pretty religous and not objective as that experience has to be expressed as a function of the particular application and circuit topology. It's not one type of resistors which will make your sound, it's the interaction of all components and circuit topology itself which defines the performance of the amplifire. Hence, when advicing other people, better relativate that experience.
And for your information: the Vishay Dale have non-ferrous leads and caps like the Takman resistors, but have much better pricing because they are produced in much larger quantities (being the industry's reference....). So far I have not seen any objective proof (test results) that the Takman are magically unbeatable. If you like them I could very well agree, but within a given context.
Go to eBay and purchase some Takman 1/4 or 1/2 Watt carbon film resistors, replace your Z-Foil and...listen! You should be really deaf not to be able to distinguish the difference!
One quid fifty for Al Bradley's double watters and 1 pound for the singles ? Damn, i figured i owned a heap of old junk, but i/I am rich.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.