[ohohyodafarted]

Personal observations on carbon comps vs metal film resistors.

In small signal circuits where current is not an issue I have never had any problems with metal film resistors.

HOWEVER: I can't say the same is true in B+ power supply circuits. In old sets I have seen situations where 2W and 1W carbon comps were being pushed to their wattage limits. I have had more than one metal film self destruct under circumstances where the original ckt design was probably using a resistor that was under powered. In my experience metal film resistors will not tolerate overheating as well as a carbon comp.

As a result I have been using high quality NOS carbon comps in everything I rebuild. You never know when the original design might have been using a resistor that was under rated, and my experience is that carbon comps seem to tolerate abuse better.

Most high quality carbon comps have pretty good value tolerance and in old tube ckts the added accuracy you gain with metal film doesn't affect circuit function to any appreciable degree.

And besides, carbon comps are period correct, if you are into that sort of thing.