In the Duelund-WRSE Crossover Project we are using the Duelund Coherent Audio Silver / Carbon resistors exclusively in the circuits (seen on the far right in the photo below).
Resistors are inherently simple electrical devices that are used to control the flow of current in a crossover circuit by providing a constant resistance that does not vary with the frequency of the signal, so they are useful for attenuating the signal to match the drivers' needs by consuming excess power and converting it to heat.
On the Duelund website Frederik says:
"Thus far the resistor has been regarded as a necessary evil, something that was needed out of necessity but scorned for its negative impact on the fidelity of the signal.
This has changed with the introduction of the Duelund Coherent Audio Resistors. When designing these components the task was that the voicecoil of the speaker and the resistor be viewed as a whole rather than two separate entities. The Duelund CAST process applied to the top of the line resistor makes it an extraordinary component completely without peers.
The result is a resistor which seemingly has no sound of its own and it allows the drivers to perform at their very best.
Our "humble" opinion is that our resistors are the best "bang for the buck" upgrade available. Simply replace your resistors for unparalled transparency and dynamic ability."
I asked Frederik if he could tell us a little about his Duelund Coherent Audio silver / carbon resistors:
"The Duelund resistor was created by Steen Duelund, as he found all other resistors fundamentally unsuitable for audio reproduction - being purely industrial by design. It consists of a complete rod with silver lead-outs in a paper tube, which is always made with natural materials, and in the CAST version it is highly damped against resonances. Used in series with a driver, it especially shines, allowing micro and macro-dynamics a full range of expression, unlike any other resistor type."
Frederik told me that Martin Colloms heaped the highest praise possible on the Duelund CAST resistor by saying that it, "Did not sound like a resistor". From Martin's Hi-Fi Critic review of the sound of resistors in his crossovers:
"While it’s true to say that we were using a very high quality test platform, the differences we heard were greater than expected and led to clear preferences. Duelund’s mythic reputation was upheld: its products really do seem to provide the required attenuation without significantly disturbing the music quality."
Ok, now I've discussed the three types of Duelund components that will go into the Duelund-Westminster Project: capacitors (1, 2), inductors, and in this post, resistors.
Stay tuned as Frederik, Pete, Stephaen, and myself continue our odyssey with the Duelund-WRSE Project to create the ultimate Westminster Royal SE crossovers.
Much more to come - thanks for stopping by!
