Resistor noise question.

[Leo_Gnardo]

If you mean the Output Valve Bias Resistors I've used 1W for my output valves as the wattage dissipated across them is fairly negligible. However I didn't think about pulse current as I have to admit I don't know anything about it.

When you're really schlammin' the power, also at the moment of switching on hi voltage from standby, those can wreck resistors that can stand steady-state power levels without a problem. Some folks have had their mini resistors fail, although the math tells us they shouldn't. I've yet to see a good ol' fashioned full size one go bad in that application, even half watt parts. Which to use? Some like to have a resistor that will fuse under stress, that's OK. Personally, I use Dale 1% 3W wirewound for cathode current sensing. Take your choice & solder away. But I digress, the topic is noise and I've made enough.

[Littlewyan]

That's good info to know. Will bear that in mind. I have noticed that resistors have gotten physically smaller over the years which makes it very difficult when trying to determine what wattage resistors an old amp used!

Maybe I will purchase some 1W resistors and see if the noise level goes down.

[pinkphiloyd]

Yeah but he was talking about carbon comp resistors. I just read his article. I may try ordering some 1W Carbon Film resistors just as an experiment to see if it lowers the hiss in my TW Express.

He also talks about the hierarchy of noisiness in resistor types as well. I only mention it because I've started messing around with metal films just about everywhere and hell, I can't hear any difference in terms of "sweetness", but my noise floor does definitely seem lower.