echos the sound of solder.

[pucho812]

Has anyone conpared the sound of various solder. I know in the grand scheme of things it's total nit-picking but has anyone ever noticed the differences in sound based on various solder types? Ideally there are but what are they?

 

[NewYorkDave]

You're joking, right?

 

[clintrubber]

You know that we can't answer you unless you specify the local humidity & the colour of the chickenheads you're going to use, right ?

 

[clintrubber]

OK then, I read somewhere about this guy upgrading 'the' EvH-amp. Silver solder, nothing else. (Sounds like servicing a old Tek gear but that's for another reason) But the influence on the amp-sound ? No idea.

 

[fum]

Once I've soldered all the compenents on, I always use C37 laquer on my boards.... Heavenly :thumb:

ju

 

[soundguy]

if there does in fact exist some difference in sound between one solder or another, I cant imagine how you would realistically come to a conclusion one way or another, I would find it suprising if the difference was measurable over the "noise" that tolerances of all the other components combined would account for.

I can hear a difference between wire and capacitors and frankly its maddening sometimes, too many ******* decisions. If there is a difference in solder, with all the other choices out there that become overwhelming, Im happy to be ignorant of it.

dave

 

[SonsOfThunder]

Well...

We can't possibly enter this discussion without considering how the solder flux affects the sound... :razz:

Seriously, I have tested amps before and after washing the flux off of the board and measured a reduction in THD, however slight. I doubt seriously that you'd be able to hear that difference.

HTH!
Charlie

 

[Test Point]

Some people will use silver solder on some parts of circuit boards, especially on components that get quite hot, like dropping resistors commonly used in solidstate guitar amps. I myself have used it some times where the parts get hot enough to partially melt regular lead alloy solder (60/40 or 63/37). When this happens, the solder will start to crystallize over many heat/cool cycles and the joint will eventually fail. I have used silver alloy solder on these joints and never had the piece come back for a failed solder joint after this was done...but for better fidelity???? nahhhhh
TP

 

[FotisGR]

Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 8:40 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some people will use silver solder on some parts of circuit boards, especially on components that get quite hot, like dropping resistors commonly used in solidstate guitar amps. I myself have used it some times where the parts get hot enough to partially melt regular lead alloy solder (60/40 or 63/37). When this happens, the solder will start to crystallize over many heat/cool cycles and the joint will eventually fail.

I agree. Also better way is to place the components in contact with pcb traces and then use solder just to keep components in place. Not use solder for contact material just to keep the already contacted components in place...
For point to point construction , place the components in contact and then solder them. Is the better construction method.
Cheers
fotis[/b]

 

[pucho812]

You're joking, right?

yes and no. This questoin was asked to me the other day. So it begs to question what is the sound of solder. Likes I said b4 in the grand scheme of things not worth looking into but since I was asked i figured I would propose it here.

 

[amorris]

whenever I solder a pcb, I make sure that the leg of the device is pressed up against the plate trough hole so as to eliminate the sound of cold solder, which i beleive you can hear!!

 

[FotisGR]

whenever I solder a pcb, I make sure that the leg of the device is pressed up against the plate trough hole so as to eliminate the sound of cold solder, which i beleive you can hear!!

100% :thumb:
cheers
fotis

 

[CJ]

Solder may not make a difference at first, but give it fifty years.

 

[pucho812]

50 years the sound may change or 50 years the crap from ratshack has cold solder joints? Much like anything else in the audiophoolery line I am sure there is some SOB who claims to hear a difference. I will never be one. As long as it flows nice, clean and does not have cold joints it's all good with me. Kester sponsership comes to mind. :green:

 

[CJ]

I was thinking along the lines of the reactions of disimilar metals. After a long time, things can get pretty funky. Copper vs silver vs tin wire, etc.

 

[smallbutfine]

ehemm, i give all pcb traces a nice gold layer and use silver wire and solder throughout...
and for cutting fr4 i only use wesselton white diamonds > 1ct. .
I hope i get so old that i can use my 50 yrs old diy equipement after all these excessive parties with my bunnies...
btw i like the way the platinum records on the fridge door fit the color of my american express (oh man i have no sense for understatement... :roll: )

ok, im just kidding - i NEVER use golden pcbs, they don't fit my style (gold makes me look pale...). :razz:

Kind regards

Martin
(you DIY for fun, not to save money, don't you?)

 

[CJ]

OK.
.
.
.
Sounds of Silence/Solder, now I get it.
Just call me Speedy, will ya?
And give me some more cowbell.

 

[FotisGR]

OK.
.
.
.
Sounds of Silence/Solder, now I get it.
Just call me Speedy, will ya?

:razz:

Keep it, keep it...
After 50 years will be like an old wine....

cheers
fotis

 

[Kev]

[quote author="soundguy"] ... frankly its maddening sometimes, too many ******* decisions. If there is a difference in solder, with all the other choices out there that become overwhelming, Im happy to be ignorant of it.[/quote]

I'm with Dave

and sometimes it just comes down to the fact that
Kev's solder is best
and what solder do I use?
...
what ever is near by
:green:

 

[TedF]

But a truly 'soldered' joint creates an amalgam of metals so there's no real 'disimilar metal' effect.

When I'm building prototypes I make sure that my breath contains only good quality wine; after that it's spiritual.... the production versions usually perform like the original. :shock:

I admit to having used some of the 'snake oil' 'better sounding' solder (it was a free sample at an AES show a few years ago) The solder was obviously just a LMP standard solder in a fancy package.....

For the benefit of any new forum visitors.... it's total humbug.