[Bosk]

I've read that Carbon Film resistors sound better than Metal Films, is there any truth in this?


Second question, is the tolerance % of a resistor more important than who makes it, or is it the other way round?

 

[BrianDonegan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosk /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've read that Carbon Film resistors sound better than Metal Films, is there any truth in this?

Carbon film resistors have higher current noise, which I guess some people like. They also are susceptible to moisture absorption over time which changes their value, sometimes significantly. Some people prefer their "sound" but personally, I like my resistors to have no sound of their own.


Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Second question, is the tolerance % of a resistor more important than who makes it, or is it the other way round?

That depends completely on the application, as does the construction and materials used in the resistor.

 

[manaox2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosk /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've read that Carbon Film resistors sound better than Metal Films, is there any truth in this? Second question, is the tolerance % of a resistor more important than who makes it, or is it the other way round?

I tend to stay away from Carbon Film resistors as well now, but I haven't done any comparisons with different resistors. I know some people really like Kiwame which I have a few, but did not decide to use in the build I bought them for. I think Pete Millett pointed out that they are the same construction as the Speer carbon film resistors and manufactured by KOA which you can buy on mouser for a better price possibly. The carbon film may be less resistant to RFI, but most accounts I read lead me to believe the metal film resistors are more important in preamp, phono stages, and headphone amps where there needs to be low noise involved. Wish I could elaborate on why that is.

Personally, I do not go with anything but a precision metal film resistor in a critical application 1% or less and 5% if in other positions depending on the difference in price. KOA speer is my brand of choice in non-critical positions now. Its usually not too much more expensive to get them in 1% which I worry about mostly because of channel matching.

If I have to go with a high value 1M resistor or higher in a critical position where noise might be more of an issue, I may choose a caddock resistor depending on the value of what I construct for me. Holco or PRP seems like something I would like to try in critical positions. I would like to try using some wire wound eventually. I'm really still learning and trying things.

 

[BrianDonegan]

Quote:

The carbon film may be less resistant to RFI

I have not heard this claim before. I don;t see why they would be any more susceptible than the leads and PCB traces leading to them. I really don't think this is a serious issue.

 

[m1abrams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianDonegan /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have not heard this claim before. I don;t see why they would be any more susceptible than the leads and PCB traces leading to them. I really don't think this is a serious issue.

Wonder if maybe he is confusing metal film with wire wound resistor.

 

[manaox2]

Oops, sorry, I meant more resistant. I was thinking of the potential for metal film resistors to fail or slightly change value from a pulsing peak power in a high voltage application. I read somewhere before that RFI can cause a high peak pulse value for a short moment which would affect metal film resistors more then carbon. Of course, I never tested the theory, so I'm not sure and that is why I said "may".

See the tech note on the page here: General purpose metal film leaded resistor - Leaded Resistors - Resistors - KOA Speer Electronics, Inc.