RoHS Compliance: Will it affect audio sound quality?

WEEZ · « **on:** 9 Mar 2006, 10:01 pm »

Hi,

(hope this is posted in the correct forum- if not please move it..)

The company I work for has made the final step to comply with the new "Reduction of Hazardous Substances". In our case, the use of lead-free solder. Our products are not audio related, but I have only seen one company in the audio business discuss it- and it has not been discussed on any of the audio forums as far as I can tell.

Lead free solder and lead free curcuit may well affect how our audio equipment sounds. Go to www.gspaudio.co.uk and you will see the link on the home page.

WEEZ

mgalusha · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Mar 2006, 11:08 pm »

I've wondered the same thing but who know's, it might be better.

I believe Jim Hagerman uses lead free solder in his products and I can say that the Trumpet sounds very nice.

peranders · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 May 2006, 12:00 pm »

My answer is: Probably NO as long as you have control over the soldering process and choice of parts.

andyr · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 May 2006, 12:38 pm »

Quote from: peranders

My answer is: Probably NO as long as you have control over the soldering process and choice of parts.

Why not ... there's more lead in components than just in solder.

I recently had to buy some opamps. What I wanted were AD826 ... my existing ones were actually "AD826AN". I rang Analogue Devices and was told the "AN" suffix referred to the packaging ... however, now there is available an "AD826ANZ"!

The "Z" signifies lead-free ... so I wonder if in fact these will sound different to AD826ANs??

Regards,

Andy