RoHS legislation impact on the high end industry


Hi folks, due to RoHS restrictions in Europe all manufacturers of consumer electronics are now forced by gouvernment legislation to use leadfree solder. As you know leadfree solder has other properties than the conventional Pb/Sn solder. Would the use of this type of solder lead to compromized high end audio products? Would it slow down the measure of progress? Would it result in restricted longevity and dependability of products? Maybe some of the manufacturers of high end audio electronics could give their responses to this thread. Thank you in advance.

Chris
dazzdax

Showing 1 response by trelja

According to Bobby Palkovic at Merlin, he feels that the lead free version of his loudspeakers are clearly superior to the products he has previously built, and that the current product are easily his best ever.

I've been around his speakers for a while, and do feel the sonic qualities of the product are of an exceptionally high level.

As for me, I am the importer in the USA and Canada for Opera Audio/Consonance, a manufacturer who does most of their business in Europe, and have been RoHS compliant for a few years now.

The sonics of our gear speaks for itself, and I hope over the long term, through audio shows, get togethers, and through the dealer network we build that I will be able to prove just that to everyone.

But, at least as important, the six or so months I have served in this role has made me feel confident enough in the build quality/reliability of the product to the level that I have just instituted a fully transferable 5 year warranty on most of our components. I want to instill that same confidence in the hearts of our customers, as well as the peace of mind a long term care/relationship provides.