Best resistors for loading SUT

[Canetoad]

I'm just collecting items to build a DIY SUT for my Denon DL103R and was wondering what type/brand of resistors would be best for loading. I bought a few different brands as follows:

Kiwame carbon
Takman carbon film
Takman metal film
PRP metal film

Any thoughts or personal experience since these will be in the signal path? :scratch:

[NRG]

I'm just collecting items to build a DIY SUT for my Denon DL103R and was wondering what type/brand of resistors would be best for loading. I bought a few different brands as follows:

Kiwame carbon
Takman carbon film
Takman metal film
PRP metal film

Any thoughts or personal experience since these will be in the signal path? :scratch:

Metal film for the lowest noise but these will be parallel to the SUT so not inline with the signal path.

[Reffc]

Metal film 1%

Who makes them doesn't matter.

[Canetoad]

Thanks guys. :)

[awkwardbydesign]

Kiwame carbon film claim to be lower noise than metal film. I haven't tried to test that claim.

[The Grand Wazoo]

When I was messing about with resistors for my Bent Audio Mu, I tried a few brands, not really expecting to hear much, or any difference.
I was wrong - they were all different and Shinkohs sounded the best of the lot - my wife will confirm!
I still blink a bit like a rabbit in headlights when I think about us comparing the sound of a single resistor, but I can't explain what I heard any other way - they were different.

[Reffc]

Kiwame carbon film claim to be lower noise than metal film. I haven't tried to test that claim.

I have. They're not (imho). Neither could I measure any lower noise floor for this application. Nothing wrong with metal film resistors as long as the tolerance is tight. 0.25w is plenty big enough on rating. A few pence each. Of course, one can go and spend £5 each for resistors.

[YNWaN]

It's not difficult to spend significantly more than £5.00 on a single resistor.

Most of my phono stage is built with Takman resistors but I use Charcroft Z foil for the cartridge loading resistor. I've use them a couple of times in this role and they do seem to work very well (but expensive).

[Reffc]

It's not difficult to spend significantly more than £5.00 on a single resistor.

Most of my phono stage is built with Takman resistors but I use Charcroft Z foil for the cartridge loading resistor. I've use them a couple of times in this role and they do seem to work very well (but expensive).

In what way Mark would you describe them as different to other resistors in how they work though? (I happen to like them as well, but yes, they are expensive). I look for tight tolerance and low noise characteristics and those can both be achieved relatively inexpensively.

[YNWaN]

Yes, I completely accept both those points - I wouldn't say that I have any special insight in to why they may be better or any measurable proof that they are. All I can say is that I have tried a few well regarded resistors as MC loading resistors and the Z-foils seem to have the ability to sound 'cleaner', with almost enhanced detail, but without actual tonal change - no added brightness. It's difficult to describe, but it is a little as if the 'clarity' dial has been turned up. This artefact isn't specific to upper frequencies either.

For my cartridge loading I use a combination of styrene caps and the Z foils.

[Reffc]

Yes, I completely accept both those points - I wouldn't say that I have any special insight in to why they may be better or any measurable proof that they are. All I can say is that I have tried a few well regarded resistors as MC loading resistors and the Z-foils seem to have the ability to sound 'cleaner', with almost enhanced detail, but without actual tonal change - no added brightness. It's difficult to describe, but it is a little as if the 'clarity' dial has been turned up. This artefact isn't specific to upper frequencies either.

For my cartridge loading I use a combination of styrene caps and the Z foils.

I use the same combo for my 30dB SUTs Mark.

[YNWaN]

That's interesting - so, tell me, why do you use that specific combination over another - I know that, like me, you have made a conscious choice?

[awkwardbydesign]

I tried several different resistors in my dac as the I/V converters. Kiwame, Shinkoh tant and settled on Texas Component bulk foil. I couldn't hear them, which I thought was a good thing. Sorry I can't be more scientific!
In my phono amp I use turned pin IC sockets on the board, and solder their pins to the resistors' legs so I can plug and play, mainly to alter the cartridge loading. But the cheaper sprung IC sockets will take different diameter resistor legs; I wish I'd used them!
I'm even worse with capacitors.

[The Barbarian]

Years ago The old Barbarian used to fart about with specialist components. He found the very expensive Vishay Metal films to sound very very good.. {Kant remember which} VY summert.. I think the best nowadays for me are the 'Takman' jobbies.. Cheap in price {Which seems to scare away the snob brigade no mater how good they maybe} ;)

[YNWaN]

In my phono amp I use turned pin IC sockets on the board,

That is also what I use.

[Reffc]

That's interesting - so, tell me, why do you use that specific combination over another - I know that, like me, you have made a conscious choice?

The reason is boringly simple I'm afraid Mark. I bought a wide range when developing the SUTs and had a bunch of these. The values I had happened to correspond with what I needed for my 1:20 SUT.

[Reffc]

Years ago The old Barbarian used to fart about with specialist components. He found the very expensive Vishay Metal films to sound very very good.. {Kant remember which} VY summert.. I think the best nowadays for me are the 'Takman' jobbies.. Cheap in price {Which seems to scare away the snob brigade no mater how good they maybe} ;)


I've used the Takmans too (still have a a few here) and like them. As you say, reasonable value compared with true foo.

[YNWaN]

The reason is boringly simple I'm afraid Mark. I bought a wide range when developing the SUTs and had a bunch of these. The values I had happened to correspond with what I needed for my 1:20 SUT.

Ah, so not a conscious choice as such - more 'why waste £40 worth of resistors' - don't blame you though. When I did the loading on my phono stage I was lucky that the required resistors were £12 as opposed to £20+.

[Batty]

I'm using Takman resistors for matching in my Hagerman Bugle 2

[awkwardbydesign]

Years ago The old Barbarian used to fart about with specialist components. He found the very expensive Vishay Metal films to sound very very good.. {Kant remember which} VY summert..)
That might be the bulk foils. Same as the Texas Components.

[Yomanze]

As they impart a definite signature compared to other components in other places I would experiment, Z-Foils, bulk foil, Shinkoh, carbon films etc...

[Canetoad]

I plan to try a few different types to see if I can hear a difference.

[Yomanze]

I plan to try a few different types to see if I can hear a difference.

Please do let us know about your experiences! :)