Is There MAGIC TONE In Rare NOS Diodes? Silicon Diode Overdrive Shootout [1S1588 1S2473 MA150] 

More Shootout Videos: ru-vid.com/group/PLuGyFi1zEmqbyeXcyZgBuAb3NBJP4mzTH

I used headphones, closed my eyes, and could not tell the slightest difference at low gain. On high gain some sounded maybe 1% brighter or darker. But I will vote for the 1s1588 because it looked the coolest and everyone knows that looks improve the sound quality.

The only difference you can find with diodes is when you compare germanium to silicon to Shottky to L.E.D.'s. Also I prefer asymmetrical to symmetrical. (3 diodes: two going one direction to the signal and one going to ground in the branch if hard clipping. If soft clipping there's two in one direction and one opposite direction)) When you're making something use sockets and throw in whatever you find in your box o' parts. Make the types switchable (if you're not making/using another pedal) because what you use with a single coil will make you happy might sound like shite when you use humbuckers, and vice versa.

They all sound so close to each other that I do not understand all the "fuzz" made about them .... the real differentiator between different distortion pedals is not the distortion core, but the pre- and postfiltering.

From 7:49 it is most easy to destinguish between the different diodes. Maybe I'm boring but I wote for the 1N4148 diode.

Ma161 has a sustain and headroom.. is1588 big sound and crunchy tone..

very interesting, thank you for this video. Loved watching it. My Cobra 2000 CB radio uses a lot 1S1588's now I can sub for a 1N4148

I hear the most difference in tone with the MA161 diodes across the entire range of the test, the others did show some slight differences to my ear but also sounded extremely similar if not identical in some of the samples, but every time a line was played with the MA161 I would look at my screen to see which one was so different in tone. This difference is also one that I actually like the most of the five compared, it seems like it imparts a lot of richness and response into the sound. Great little comparison, and now I know what to look out for to test in my circuits! Thank you Aritone!🤙

I've run these same tests, they all sound pretty much identical.

Yeah the differences are so minimal that I can bet even the most trained ear would never be able to tell which was which. Which means the whole diode thing is overblown. The germanium diode catch phrase makes pedals go for quadruple their price, yet has a negligible sonic benefit (from what I’ve heard here and in the other video). Very interesting shootout!

It is necessary to understand what to listen for in this comparison, which to me are the amount of saturation, harmonics and compression in relation to dynamic range. That being said the differences were almost imperceptible with the exception of the 1N4148, which to me sounded like the most compressed. This may possibly result from the saturation curve seemingly producing more odd-order harmonics. I heard little to no difference between any of the diodes regarding frequency response except the 1N4148 which consistently sounded throaty and unpleasant to me. You did a fantastic job presenting this information. I look forward to seeing more of your videos.

I just started breadboarding a couple months ago and soon I will start with perf board. So far I only have 1n4001; 1n4148; and 1n914 diodes and I prefer them pretty much in that order. I like the airy and touch-sensitive quality of Red LEDs, but they are heavy on the mids and only have a moderate amount of possible clipping.

By the way, I think that it is most easy to hear the difference when the signal is strong (when you hit the strings hard). It is in this domaine the diodes is working the most.