What is the BEST resistor for audio use

Perhaps the proper question is what is the best resistor for a particular application. About 10 years ago, a friend constructed three sets of pots for my Crosby modified Spectral DMC 10 preamp, all using 39 position TechLabs silver contact switches, but using three different brands of resistors, Vishay, Holco and Resista. We then substituted them in the preamp, listening to each. The Vishays were clearly the quietest and had the most detail but could sound a little sterile. The Holco's and Resista's both sounded less sterile, but at the expense of some additional noise and loss of low level detail. The Resista's had the best soundstage, particularly with respect to differentiating height (i.e. not everything sounded as if it emanated from the same height), the Vishays were the worst with respect to height. None was perfect.

I agree completely with Fcrowder in that it depends upon the position in the circuit. Fcrowder, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think your resistor comparison tests were utilizing series-configured resists on the volume controls so you were actually listening to the additive effects of several or many resistors in series. Though I completely agree with your findings as I performed a similar test with my DMC-10Z, I found that the noise contribution from a single Holco, Resista or Caddock as in a ladder-type volume control to be much more satisfying than in the series configuration. The Vishay "metal foil" is still the most transparent for low-level applications, but they simply aren't feasible in high voltage/power applications. The only problem with Holcos are that they don't like high voltages (>150 V) regardless of their specs, and you must be very careful when bending their leads. If the soft-metal caps on the ends of the ceramic tube are distorted, they will become noisey or fail outright. However, even with these cautions, they are still an excellent resistor.
Goodluck with your DIY projects,Dismal. They can be very rewarding.

I have been "listening" to various resistors for about 2 weeks now (on & off). I gathered various 10K resistors and used them as the main resistor in a shunt configuration with an Alps 100k pot.
A few times when I turned on my system I had forgotten which resistor was plugged into an adapter made to check the resistors; most of the time when I determined that a particular sound was the one I preferred, it was a Holco.
I also like the older Davens/Shallcross/IRC resistors,
these come in a very close second, very relaxed musical presentation. I have found that the Holco's yield the tautest bass, another resistor a "Sage Silcohm" had even deeper bass and was also preferred for the singing voice but was a tad soft in reproducing highs.
I also auditioned Vishay 102 and a tantalum, which to me were very similar and very good.
Half the fun is going to different surplus stores and rummaging...you never know what you will find.
Speaking of which ...I just came across a flat wire wound, wound around a piece of mica, (flat as a playing card)with also flat 1/4" leads made by General Radio, that, after an initial listen may just displace the Holco as my main resistor.

This is a GREAT thread that i think we are all learning from. It does, however, bring up a few more questions. Since that is the case, let's start a new thread... : ) Sean
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