Best resistors for use in phono stage?

My opinions are based on solid state in a vinyl / ESL system. The Vishay VAR series are rated at 300 V if  IIRC, so they are suitable for any place in the amp (unless you are driving ESL's directly). IMO, VAR are better than any of the Caddock resistors that I tried: less edge, more clarity. Clearer than Mills WW.

@ieales  points out that all components have sonic signatures. That is absolutely correct. That certainly includes the resistors, capacitors, and transistors elsewhere in the chain. But this is a very good time to determine what you like, so that you can, in time, get more of it. I would definitely buy two Vishay VAR and two AudioNote to audition - that's how I started on the DIY road.

Good luck!

One must be aware of "too much of a good thing". Depending on the equipment replacing all the Brand X parts with Brand Y may not yield the anticipated results.

What many fail to realize is an 'amplifier’, be it phono, line or power, circuitry is essentially a power supply regulator. Sadly many power supplies have very poor impedance vs frequency characteristics. The ubiquitous three terminal regulators in much of today’s equipment have vastly different impedance characteristics between the VCC and VEE models. Gross differences exist between the same 78xx part from divers manufacturers. One of the most astounding sonic improvements I ever experienced was linearizing the ± analog and 5VDC digital power supplies impedances in a CD player. I felt like I had been transported back to the control room and listening to the master 2T feed with a 2KW/ch amp stack.

Make haste slowly.

Three terminal regulators - how true. I burned the better part of a day last month on a circuit that wouldn't behave, only because a 7806 failed in a highly non-linear way. Name brand device, too.

@slaw

This is what you need. I used these in all my phono amps

typo: 1kw/ch 😕

2x 300w for dual woofers

1x 200w for mid

1x 200w for tweet

Three terminal regulators - how true.

An engineer who once worked for me and is now a big shot @ AD says ’brand name’ is no longer a guarantee unless you can prove the provenance. AD will no longer accept ’failed’ parts without a paper trail.

It’s a sad state of affairs where the local electronics stores no longer exist and you have to buy from the bigs to ensure you get what you want.