Martin Poulin
pad in back is different
Real and Counterfeit parts. Can you spot the difference?
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Counterfeit on the left… real on the right
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Came from an eBay kit. All transistors were fake.
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Still work, but inferior specs and bad sounding.
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If you buy transistor or capacitor on eBay, 90% of the time they’re fake.
I wish it wasn't true, but it's been my experience. As a result, I no longer buy parts from eBay or Alibaba etc.
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$10 for a set of OPA627 online. Fake! (real one are $ 50)
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Search Google for more horror stories and remember that 95% of the people do not take the time to write their bad experience.
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Here are some links:
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http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/solid-state/167550-sanken-2sa1216-2sc2922-genuine-fake-pictures.html
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http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/parts/268473-fake-stk3152-stk3102.html
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http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/parts/307218-fake-lme49990-market.html
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https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/317658-fake-elna-nichicon-caps-china-es9028.html
Even the leads of the components are fake. Not tinned copper, but tinned steel! Test them with your magnets and see for yourselves. A huge proportion of 'real copper' wire is just fake alloys, even inside expensive interconnects purporting to be 99.999% OFC (oxygen free copper).
On the left:
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Not affiliated but a great video from John.
It’s worth watching the whole 15 minutes.