I seem to remember someone coming up with some reason not to use steel for hi-fi audio enclosures. Does this ring any bells with anybody?
I have a pretty nice steel box from the junkyard but I wouldn't want to do anything counterproductive towards sound quality.
Thanks
Bam
I have a pretty nice steel box from the junkyard but I wouldn't want to do anything counterproductive towards sound quality.
Thanks
Bam
Steel or Aluminium has no difference apart from;
Steel needs protecting from corrosion, (Paint or laquer).
Aluminium is easier to machine and drill because it is a softer material.
Steel can be difficult to machine.
Aluminium has similar shielding properties to steel.
I always use Aluminium as it is easier to get a nice finish after machining, it is however, more expensive.
Not sure what you mean about "sound quality" being affected.
Steel needs protecting from corrosion, (Paint or laquer).
Aluminium is easier to machine and drill because it is a softer material.
Steel can be difficult to machine.
Aluminium has similar shielding properties to steel.
I always use Aluminium as it is easier to get a nice finish after machining, it is however, more expensive.
Not sure what you mean about "sound quality" being affected.
"The study concluded that steel is the most effective shield for 60 Hz EMF, reducing these fields by as much as 95 percent. Aluminum conduit reduces such fields by about 5 percent, while nonmetallic materials are equivalent to conductors installed in free air"
Steel Conduit Holds Steady | Electrical Contractor Magazine.
Steel Conduit Holds Steady | Electrical Contractor Magazine.
A well designed layout negates the need to screen EMF making aluminium the prefered choice.
The sole reason that some manufacturers use steel as a chassis, is purely cost. It is cheaper.
Your article is refering to box conduit, power wiring, not amplification.
It is good practice, in factory and household wiring, not to run power cables next to cables that serve sensitive equipment; Aerial Mast Head amplifier supply lines, for example, as hum will apear on equipment that amplifies micro volts of signal. Cat5 and telephone systems are not affected neither are line level audio devices.
It is now unusual to use metal conduit in domestic properties for power cabling. Conduit is normally plastic.
The sole reason that some manufacturers use steel as a chassis, is purely cost. It is cheaper.
Your article is refering to box conduit, power wiring, not amplification.
It is good practice, in factory and household wiring, not to run power cables next to cables that serve sensitive equipment; Aerial Mast Head amplifier supply lines, for example, as hum will apear on equipment that amplifies micro volts of signal. Cat5 and telephone systems are not affected neither are line level audio devices.
It is now unusual to use metal conduit in domestic properties for power cabling. Conduit is normally plastic.
That still doesn't negate the FACT that steel is a MUCH MUCH better shield than aluminum, not "similar properties".
Steel is a poor conductor of heat. If your project uses the case for heatsinking, some class D amps do this, then aluminum is a better choice.
Post #4 sums it up pretty well.
As for me, I choose aluminum when I build, and never ever had a problem or issue arise.
As for me, I choose aluminum when I build, and never ever had a problem or issue arise.