Steverenshen1957 wrote:Hi Tony,talbany wrote:Anybody try these..KOA Speer SPR2 Carbon film's for signal path.. suppose to be the Kiwame equivalent..The Marshall guy's seem to dig them..Any opinions welcome!!
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/KOA ... usfg%3d%3d
Thanks!!
Tony
I have used them, excellent resistor made in Japan by the same people that produce the Kiwame resistors (which means tested in Japanese). Although these 2W resistors are listed at several specs of tolerance and Kiwames
have the tighest tolerences, the the samples I purchased from Partsconnexion (Kiwame) and the those at Mouser (KOA SPR2 lower tolerance) measured exactly the same tight tolerences.
Smart maketing idea, list a variety of tolerances and only manufacture the highest tolerance.
Very low noise (the audiophile crowd claim "lower than metal film", for what it's worth) and not "sterile".
I didn't test these resistors with a magnet, (and that's more to do with signal distortion in HiFi applications, "Magnetism, inductance, electrification caused by contact resistance and vibration make the sound flat and coloured. Ultimately you will hear an edgy brightness at the highs but overall a lack of accuracy and detail.") alot cheaper the Riken carbon film (no longer manufactured, $2.70 USD each).
The only drawback in using these 2watt resistors is in my experience the leads are naturally larger than 1/2w leads and can be a problem when used in circuit cards (eyelet boards) if too many resistors have to be crammed into a single eyelet.
Although circuit design is important, I have noticed the difference of using quality resistors as opposed to consumer grade metal film, carbon comps, etc. I use PRP metal films for cathode resistors, in the few places a Carbon Compostion makes a difference I do use NOS ABs or Stackpoles or if I can get them RCD Carbon Comps made in the US with the same co-efficient of distortion that the NOS (the Xicons Carbon Comps, et al, newer have lower values of co-efficient of distortion than the old school resistors or the new mfg RCD). First preamp tube I do use an audiophile metal film.
Some maintain it doesn't matter, even to the point of using metal oxide resistors as plate resistors(!). Maybe in high voltage applications this wouldn't matter, however, to my ear a little extra money spent is well worth the investment. Not that I am compulsively "resistor rolling."
Best Regards,
Steve
PS I have used Takmans for a few times for values I couldn't get in Riken or KOA. I like resistors (if and when I can get them) with tinned copper leads.
Thanks for your insight..
All The Best!!
Tony