metalfilm vs carbon resistors?

Frequently asked question regarding resistors, potentiometers, types, requirements, ratings etc.
Post Reply
User avatar
sikheadzraf
Information
Posts: 11
Joined: 31 Oct 2010, 04:32
my favorite amplifier: 5150 & MESA BOOGIE
Completed builds: triplewreck, tubezone, crunch box, marshall speaker simulator, rebote 2.5, dr.boogey, SHO, rangemaster, sonic maximizer, reezafratzitz
Location: The West!
Has thanked: 5 times

Post 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 :)
huhhhhh?

User avatar
diagrammatiks
Solder Soldier
Information
Posts: 154
Joined: 19 Dec 2010, 20:38
Been thanked: 6 times

Post 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.

User avatar
Zokk
Resistor Ronker
Information
Posts: 287
Joined: 05 Jul 2010, 20:00
Location: tantalum shortcut area
Has thanked: 211 times
Been thanked: 68 times

Post 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.

User avatar
Hides-His-Eyes
Tube Twister
Information
Posts: 1943
Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 12:34
Has thanked: 50 times
Been thanked: 51 times

Post 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...
Testing, testing, won too fwee

User avatar
Zokk
Resistor Ronker
Information
Posts: 287
Joined: 05 Jul 2010, 20:00
Location: tantalum shortcut area
Has thanked: 211 times
Been thanked: 68 times

Post 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.

Post Reply