DreamTheaterRules wrote:;) Dave, you are a "higher end" builder too me. You build things that sound great, but you don't use smoke and mirrors to charge ridiculous prices for that. Many of the super boutique guys DO use lots of hype etc., to charge really high prices.
That said, I've modded stereo amps during my audiophile days. I've modded guitar amps and pedals recently. I know that in the home stereo (higher end stuff) even one cap swap of a different type OF the same value, can be heard. I know that in tube amps this is also true in many cases (depending on where the cap it in the circuit, etc.).
The reason I ask this question hear is, there are LOTS of guys who build, and tweak, and say "in lower voltage circuits like pedals, the TYPE of the caps and resistors is not going to make an audible difference." Many guys who sell lots of pedals that were very highly rated use "greenies." But some claim that carbon films are smoother than metal films in resistors, and some claim that box caps are cleaner than generic films, and some claim that carbon films have mojo, when the specs say the "mojo" they add is only ave higher voltages where they add 2nd harmonic distortion"
I observe what you use in your pedals. I build pedals for myself, which obviously does not stop me from buying commercially available ones since I own most of the Barber pedals. I'm really asking because in my builds, I want to know if it makes a difference. If I build a BSIAB II, should I replace all the caps with box film Wimas or AVX? And all the resistors with metal film or carbon films? Are box caps used because they are easier and look neater, or do they sound better?
I choose parts based on sound, size, availability, price, ease of implementation, longevity, marketability, customer demand, RoHS, standards, vintage vibe...etc...
In some circuits metals film resistors offer better noise performance that can be judged by ear, in some circuits a carbon film is desirable for it;s slightly more neutral sonics (compared to standard metal film). I like the Yellow AVM through hole caps (now off the market), they sound very good and are easy to read when building (keeps mistakes low). Green Xicon films are mainly used in the Tone Press, I like them for that circuit, and here and there in OD pedals. I don't think using 600v caps helps, but buyers are still intrigued (oh well). 1 watt resistors don't improve the sound in a 9-24 volt pedal, but the myths persist too. Fidelity is not an improvement in many guitar circuits (guitars can get embarrassed by fidelity), listen carefully make judgments based on your initial goals.
Tone is an art, it's an interpretation of what you want, and in my case what I think players want. If you are building for yourself, buy lots of parts of all quality levels, stop listening to forum banter about parts , including my banter, listen and make your own judgments, if you are building for yourself, then you are all that matters.
Audio does not know what the parts cost.
Audio does not know the wire is bent 90 degrees.
Audio does not know how old the part is.
Audio does not know how big the part is.
Audio can't read, so it can't participate in forums to find out about a part's mojo.
Audio can't see the paint job (but blue sounds better
)
Audio does not know the part is 1000 larger than needed, instead of 10 time bigger than needed.
Audio does not know that stereophile components are supposed to make everything sound better.
Have fun!