[Vintage-Audio] The Sound of Resistance?

[Robert Nickels]

You guys might appreciate this...just remember I'm just the messenger 
and can't tell the sound of one resistor from another!   Someone found 
this and posted it on another list today, evidently taken from ANGELA 
INSTRUMENTS web site, where apparently all ohms are not created equal...

73, Bob W9RAN


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Audiophile metal film resistors, including Resista, Holco, Beyschlag, 
etc. really do sound OK for hi-fi. Use 'em where tight value matching, 
long term reliability and temperature stability are important. You'll 
get great high-end detail, extension and imaging. On the other hand, 
compared to carbons, you'll sacrifice some of the warmth many of us love 
in old vintage gear. Also be aware of the warnings about bending the 
leads of Holco audiophile metal film resistors too close to the body or 
you may stress the end cap/lead welds, possibly (some claim...) 
resulting in noise.

Metal oxide types from Mouser, etc. are best used only in power supplies 
when a high wattage rating is required in a small package. I usually 
avoid using these resistors in signal positions, since they seem to give 
a somewhat 'washed out' and grainy sounding midrange.

Premium non-inductive wirewounds sound excellent in audio circuits but 
it's hard to find a supplier stocking a range of values wide enough to 
build an entire circuit. If somebody out there knows of a good source 
for these, please let me know. Industrial wirewounds by Dale, Ohmite 
Brown Devil and others are OK for power supplies and some hobbyists do 
like these in signal positions as well.

Metal foil resistors, the "sound of the '80s" High-End", are favored by 
many audionuts but, in this elevated price class, I prefer the sound of 
tants and Rikens.

Vintage carbon resistors by Allen Bradley, Stackpole, etc. sound very 
nice to me but tolerances are poor, as is temperature stability. 
Accordingly, it's difficult to get a stereo circuit properly balanced, 
so imaging will suffer somewhat, compared to the other signal resistor 
types we recommend There's also the issue of noise, not objectionable to 
my ear in most power amp circuits but probably too much for a phono 
stage? Still, these antique resistors are the most authentic choice for 
restoration of vintage guitar amps and hi-fi. More than just for 
authentic looks, they preserve the signature sounds of a bygone era. 
Quality carbon composition resistors will soon be almost impossible to 
find in a wide range of values, so get 'em while you can. We've been 
told that Allen Bradley has ceased production. My advice is also to test 
each and every carbon resistor you intend to use, and scrape the leads 
before you solder. Your old local electronics supply or TV/Radio repair 
store may have a good stock of carbon resistors on hand, usually at very 
cheap prices. Hamfests and government surplus sales are other good sources.