Waiting for the price of that pricey cap/wire/whatever to come down?

[HF9]

Angela Instruments has 330R and 390R 1/2 watt.
http://angela.com/shinkohtaftantalumresistors12watt.aspx

I didn't realize Angela carried the Shinkohs, that's actually a nice price for them (relatively). I personally like the Kiwame / Koa Speers resistors, they seem to have a more "natural" tone than metal film resistors and they handle a lot of wattage in a compact space. They generally go for a little over a buck a piece at PercyAudio / Partsconnexion / etc. or about 40-50 cents on Mouser.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ABjemq1O1aw/TW6Rgt48r3I/AAAAAAAAAG8/c1FAoemlA1A/s320/Kiwame+Stepped+Attenuator.jpg)

[galyons]

Yes, the Kiwames are very nice.  I use and like them very much.  I use PRP's when it needs to be a metal film.   I have heard good reports on Takman carbon film and metal film, but haven't yet tried them.

Cheers,
Geary

[Grainger49]

Compared to capacitors resistors are cheap, even the high dollar ones.  Except for level control, which is audio path, they are only used for loading of a plate, cathode or grid. 

The current set resistor in a C⁴S board is said to have some affect on the sound too.

[najo49]

Thanks to all, now I am on the resistor band wagon. Thanks.

[Grainger49]

There is a post somewhere where Paul Joppa describes why Bottlehead uses the kinds, composition, of resistors that they use in certain circuit points.  Metal film are chosen for low noise, carbon composition for grid stoppers and plate stoppers (I don't remember the logic) and carbon film for other attributes. 

It is well worth looking for.  Tantalum are not the end all for resistor use.

[earwaxxer]

There is a post somewhere where Paul Joppa describes why Bottlehead uses the kinds, composition, of resistors that they use in certain circuit points.  Metal film are chosen for low noise, carbon composition for grid stoppers and plate stoppers (I don't remember the logic) and carbon film for other attributes. 

It is well worth looking for.  Tantalum are not the end all for resistor use.

I did do some research on resistor types and the sound differences, and the "traditional wisdom" dictates that carbon comps are a good choice for a euphonic complement etc. Wirewound are indicated for where you low inductance etc. Where you have high current applications you need a high wattage choice. As far as the Quickie, there is quite a bit of latitude. I have compared a good quality carbon comp 220R to a 220R tant and the comp sounded like crap. That was my experience. I was shocked.

[galyons]

...
I did do some research on resistor types and the sound differences, and the "traditional wisdom" dictates that carbon comps are a good choice for a euphonic complement etc. Wirewound are indicated for where you low inductance etc.

Uhmm, wirewound resistors are basically inductors. Wirewound resistors have magnitudes of inductance higher than any other type.  Now if you mean "non-inductive" wirewounds where a matching and opposing coil is wound into the resistor, you get lower inductance.

Cheers,
Geary

[Grainger49]

Mils and a few more companies make non-inductive wire wound resistors.  Good for cathode resistors because it eliminates the inductance and has the power handling capacity. 

[johnsonad]

Well I sold off some non used gear and used that play money to pick up a few more pairs of Mills resistors to make adjustments with in the BeePre and a pair of 10uF Jupiter HT flat stacked caps also for the BeePre.  I love and hate these sales as I always over spend!

[earwaxxer]

I want those Jupiters BAD! - My speaker crossover is begging for them. Cant pull the trigger.

[johnsonad]

I'll keep you updated as to how they sound Eric

[chard]

There is a post somewhere where Paul Joppa describes why Bottlehead uses the kinds, composition, of resistors that they use in certain circuit points.  Metal film are chosen for low noise, carbon composition for grid stoppers and plate stoppers (I don't remember the logic) and carbon film for other attributes. 

It is well worth looking for.  Tantalum are not the end all for resistor use.

I remember Paul saying carbon comps are more effective at preventing oscillations then other resister types, which is the reason for grid and plate stoppers. Although carbon comps change in value over time,  thats not a problem for grid or plate stoppers because having an exact value is not important in these postions.     

[Grainger49]

Clifford,

Exactly!  That is why they say any value from 200 ohms to 1k ohms.  They put CC resistors in places where the changing value will not matter. 

I think PJ rejected the metal and carbon film because of the spiral cut into the film being inductive.  That would be counterproductive where he was trying to suppress RFI and oscillations. 

I found the post on the old board.  I had it bookmarked but I have a lot of Bottlehead bookmarks.

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=bottlehead&n=119635

[Paul Birkeland]

FWIW, the performance of CC, CF, and MF resistors in the grid stopper application is similar enough that they can be interchanged.

-PB

[chard]

I would not sweat the difference! I use both. Try a few high value tantelum resistors in key spots and see what you think!

I just replaced my 100k volume pot for my stereomour with a, fixed series/variable shunt attentuator. I used an Elma 04-1213 switch, which is a single deck, 2 pole, 11 position, make before break, selector switch. 11 positions works fine because I don't have very low volume positions or very high volume positions, only the positions I might use. I used Shinkoh Tantelum resisters. It's a big improvement over the pot. Everything is better: resolution, clarity, timbre, bass, dynamics. There is a lot more going on in the music. The impedance for the attenuator varies between 73k and 137k depending on the postiion. The impedance is pretty close to the 100k stereomour pot.