|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
In Reply to: I'm curious how you performed listening test? posted by Kevin P on May 19, 2001 at 18:55:43:
When I deal with a non-component like solder or cables, I usually have to listen to multiple systems to come up with a conclusion. What made me post this review was that I did notice a *definite* improvement in regard to transparency and timbral correctness (especially with percussion, cymbals, etc.), and especially the reduced listener fatigue, on *both* my systems, and also with individual cables and components used by other people. And unlike most changes I've done to my audio systems over the years, this one also elicited quite a few comments of improvement from both audiophile and non-audiophile friends.In the past, with a change of solder, I'd often get a good first-impression, but in long-term listening, I feel like turning the system off. After several days, I come to the reality that the "improvement" was not much of an improvement, if at all. To varying degrees. With the Kester "44" lead-free silver solder, the negative long-term effects seem to have been reduced to the point where I could (if I wanted to) play music from 9 am to 1 am the following morning, with minimal urge to turn the system off.
The other sonic effect with solder is that the bad ones can even make an SET sound hard and brittle, where the better ones preserve the harmonic structure of instruments- most-notably vocals. The Kester "44" lead-free easily has the least-adverse effect in this regard, of all the solder products I've tried.
I rarely go out on a limb touting a product. I have to give credit to Jon Risch for leading me to the Kester "44" family of solders.
Anyone who would like a sample of the Kester "44" Sn95Ag05 solder can send me an email with a mailing address. I'd be happy to send you a sample.
Follow Ups:
Todd,
Have you tried any of the latest "audiophile" solders such as the very latest Wonder solder Ultraclear(I believe there have been at least 5 versions of Wonder solder that I can remember), Siltech MK II(which is I believe lead free), very latest Cardas, WBT, Sound Connections silver, etc?
Ric
Ric, there appear to have been at least two iterations of Wonder Ultraclear and tempted to say three as the latest doesn't have as much flux as the last batch had, but more than the awful first run a few years back.......
I have some Wonder Solder older than the hills. Not bad. Didn't realize the formulation was changed.I have a roll of WBT if you want it. It is one of those lead-free silvers that I don't like. (I do like WBT's RCA connectors.) I of course have numerous variants of Kester, Ersin (the Savbit would be excellent if the formulation was tweaked a little), and Johnson Mfg.. I never tried the Siltech or Cardas, mainly because either has elicited a consistent preference versus the WBT. (Kester could make its own version of the IA-423 ternary, with the "44" core, which would probably be **the** best formulation, but at over $100 per one pound roll and a 5-pound minimum order...)
And oh yeah, I have some Audio Note stuff. Before the Kester, the AN and the Johnson IA-423 Ternary were my faves. (The AN sounds very similar to the Kester "44" Sn62Pb36Ag02 solder. But the Kester is a lot less expensive...) But neither motivated me to post a "solder" review...
This prompts me to try some out. Will a standard cheap Weller Marksman (with properly cared for tip) be hot enough for the "44" job? How does its melting pt. compare to that of WBT, etc.?Thanks,
Chris
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: