Good 2SC2240 substitute

B

Bi_Nom

New Member
Hello everyone!

So I'm trying to get a replacement for a couple of 2SC2240(BL)'s, and after hours of searching, I'm still no wiser. The only one that seems to be somewhat similar and readily available is the KSC1845. But that one has only half the I(c) rating than the 2SC2240, also I'm not quite sure about the noise level, since it is given in mV in the datasheet of the KSC1845.

Now you are my last hope: I have found some discussions on AK, but they were all about replacing the "weaker" 2SC458 with 2SC2240.

Does anyone know a feasible substitute for 2SC2240's?
Or should I order the ones available on futurlec.com? I know some of you have ordered from there, any impressions if they are real / any good?
:saywhat:

Help would be much appreciated! :thmbsp:

-Bi_Nom
 
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Thank you for your suggestion!
The only problem is that shipping to Switzerland would be like 55US$, whereas futurlec only charges 5. IMO spending 5 Bucks on parts and 55 on shipping is a no-go.
 
Or should I order the ones available on futurlec.com?

NO, they are bandits!!

you will be fine with a matched set of ksc1845. if the part is used for a input diff pair, the current is usually in the 1-2mA range
 
rcs16 said:
Or should I order the ones available on futurlec.com?

NO, they are bandits!!
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Just curious, are there known issues with Futurlec? I have ordered from them before with no issues but maybe I've just been lucky.
 
My last order (and it will be my last) from futurlec was made in Nov 2014. My order arrived in late March 2015. For some reason my package went from Thailand to Germany (held in customs for two months) and then finally showed up in California. Since they never charged my credit card account I just gave up (sending them emails) and was surprised to find the package. I was surprised my order shipped from Thailand since my first order shipped from Australia (no problems with first order).

Packages from Asia usually route to LA or SF in just 3 days (and I'm always surprised since I pick the cheapest shipping) and I'm usually waiting for customs for 2 weeks before I get my package.

I also ordered 2sc2240s and some LEDs (only place I've found pin hole LEDs).

Of course now I suspect the 2240s and don't know if they're real.

1845 is a good sub and if the voltages are not that high then a 1815 is also a good sub. Unfortunately a real 2240 beats both for noise.
 
I recenly ordered some FETs from them, they came from Australia and got here pretty quickly (cheap too). Normally I order from Mouser, Newark or Digikey but they didn't have what I needed. Got lucky I guess.
 
Thank you for your answers, oh well, sounds like you saved me from wasting time and money.
So I will probably go for the KSC1845s. Only thing I really don't unterstand: WHY on earth do they discontinue the one with the best specs without a substitute? :wtf:

Have a nice day everyone! :)
 
Bi_Nom said:
Thank you for your answers, oh well, sounds like you saved me from wasting time and money.
So I will probably go for the KSC1845s. Only thing I really don't unterstand: WHY on earth do they discontinue the one with the best specs without a substitute? :wtf:

Have a nice day everyone! :)
Click to expand...

All of the through hole components are slowly disappearing. Toshiba, Sanyo, Sony and Panasonic have had their presence slowly diminish since the Japanese crash and are focusing on microchips and surface mount components. They are also getting out of vertically integrated companies (like Panasonic supplying solid state devices to Technics to build stereo equipment or Sony FETs in Sony amps). Also the fact that the bulk of the production is now done in other parts of Asia also has changed their supply chains(since things need to be made cheap).

Quality is no longer a consideration but low cost is king. Besides, what manufacturer would build a device today that would last 30 to 40 years. That would be economic suicide.
 
At some point, there will be a market for someone to make tiny circuit boards with SMD transistors on them and legs sticking out for through hole mounting.
 
Thank you very much for this explanation, I understand now, although it's kind of sad isn't it. It will become almost impossibe for hobbyists or people who want to restore their beloved vintage gear to indulge in their passion.
redk9258, your statement made me chuckle a little bit, but you are probably dead right! Funny idea nonetheless.

Thank you all for your help!
 
Bi_Nom said:
Thank you for your answers, oh well, sounds like you saved me from wasting time and money.
So I will probably go for the KSC1845s. Only thing I really don't unterstand: WHY on earth do they discontinue the one with the best specs without a substitute? :wtf:

Have a nice day everyone! :)
Click to expand...

Toshiba stopped all production of discrete transistors. At least TO-92, probably all others. I believe the only japanese transistors still in production are from Sanken.

KSC1845 is a clone of 2SC1845 which is NEC's (also discontinued) answer to the 2SC2240. It is just as good or probably better, so there are no problems here. No worries.
 
Toshiba still makes outputs, drivers and other switching through-hole transistors. The TO-220F audio drivers are supposed to be on the chopping block but their demise keeps getting delayed.

The KSC1845F usually works fine for the 2SC2240BL, unless you need more than 400 hfe. At that point, the only high voltage, through hole parts left in production are the Zetex ZTX694/96 parts which use a different pin-out.

Futurlec is hit or miss. Some of their semiconductor inventory is real (especially the less popular parts). Their 2SC2240s are not Toshiba.
 
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redrooster said:
Try, ""Little Diode"" their in the UK.they seem to have this sort of unobtainium a lot of the time? Yeah they've got em,I just checked,they have the normal ones and 2SC2240GS. about $2 each.
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Littlediode seems to have a good reputation, but I have personally gotten very obviously fake parts from them, and when I confronted them about it, they just said others haven't said anything about it. So they are obviously not very knowledgeable about how to tell fakes apart from the real deal. So be aware when buying obsolete parts - never expect them to be real.

One very simple way to know if a Toshiba TO-92 transistor is real: does it have super high quality plastic molds? Does it feel way smoother and of much higher quality than all other TO-92 parts (fake or otherwise)? Then it's real. Otherwise: it's fake (or possibly just very old).
 
dr*audio said:
You can mount the SMT components on the solder side of the board. No big deal.
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True, but with drivers you would have to get creative with the heatsinking, so if there is a simpler way then why bother.

ZOOM said:
KSC1845 is a clone of 2SC1845 which is NEC's (also discontinued) answer to the 2SC2240. It is just as good or probably better, so there are no problems here. No worries.
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FootFungus said:
The KSC1845F usually works fine for the 2SC2240BL, unless you need more than 400 hfe.
Futurlec is hit or miss. Some of their semiconductor inventory is real (especially the less popular parts). Their 2SC2240s are not Toshiba.
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I added a batch of them to my last Mouser order. At first I thought it maybe wouldn't be able to handle the power, but you are probably right.
As with futurlec maybe they were once real, but when they ran out they just restocked some cheap clones.

glen65 said:
SMD to through hole adapters already exist.
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I just looked it up. You are totally right :D not for TO-92 though ...yet *starts business* :banana:

redrooster said:
Try, ""Little Diode"" their in the UK.they seem to have this sort of unobtainium a lot of the time?
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Wow, they seem to look really promising, also for future part chases. Although I would be interested to hear ZOOMs story...

Karl vd Berg said:
Are you in CH? BG-Electronics in Germany still has the GR type! €0,80 each!
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Yes! Thank you very much! How did I not find them, anyhow...
 
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