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metalfilm vs carbon resistors?

Posted: 08 Nov 2011, 04:39
by sikheadzraf
how much of a difference in a metalfilm vs carbon film resistors.
how do they differ in ways?
i'll be trying to build a triple wreck and im not sure if carbon resistors would do well or equals metalfilm resistors.
thanks! sorry for the noob question tho :)

Re: metalfilm vs carbon resistors?

Posted: 08 Nov 2011, 05:50
by diagrammatiks
not really.

if they are both fairly recent construction they are going to be fairly close.

metal film versus carbon film at least. carbon comp is a different story.

also metal film is usually a higher tolerance. 1 percent is fairly normal now.

Re: metalfilm vs carbon resistors?

Posted: 15 Feb 2012, 13:21
by Zokk
Also metal film are quieter than carbon comp resistors. Today it doesn't make sens to buy carbon comp because the metal film ones are the same price.
But In some cases you'll NEED a carbon resistor, for example in some high voltage / tube amp where the carbon comp will introduce some nice distortion when it heats up.

Concerning pedal building, to me it is really a matter of look, but the sound itself should be cleaner with modern metal film so I always choose metal film for all my projects.

Re: metalfilm vs carbon resistors?

Posted: 15 Feb 2012, 15:05
by Hides-His-Eyes
Zokk wrote:the sound itself should be cleaner with modern metal film
Quieter, yeah, better tolerance, yeah, cleaner? Not really sure what a 'cleaner' resistor sounds like...

Re: metalfilm vs carbon resistors?

Posted: 17 Feb 2012, 13:53
by Zokk
well i have not used the right word, I would say "with less noise". That's what I call cleaner (even in a OD circuit :D ), but you're right it's not clear.