Ok to mix different cathode film caps in a SET?

RE: Ok to mix different cathode film caps in a SET?, posted on December 16, 2015 at 06:16:37
Chip647 Audiophile Posts: 2652 Location: The South Joined: December 24, 2012	No, actually it is preferable so that the amp does not sound like one cap. An electron does not know the maker of the cap nor does it really care about craft paper or polystyrene or aluminum foil. :-)

RE: Ok to mix different cathode film caps in a SET?, posted on December 16, 2015 at 08:56:32

SteveBrown
Audiophile

Posts: 2454
Location: Portland, OR
Joined: November 14, 2002

You will get all kinds of answers to this - from the purely theoretical, to the subjective listening experiences of trial and error. First off, no it should not present oscillation issues.

Secondly, my experience is that paralleling caps can have a positive sonic impact, and different kinds of caps present themselves in the sonic signature of the amp differently. In a preamp I've just finished I've found Auricaps to sound stuffy and too laid back, but Mundorf silver/oil caps to be too bright. In this case it looks like a nice inexpensive Obligato Gold Premium is just right. Many sware by the Russian Teflon caps and I do use those sometimes, too. Any of these can be changed (in my subjective listening experience) by paralleling other types. At the end of the day, try it and see for yourself.

RE: Ok to mix different cathode film caps?, posted on December 16, 2015 at 12:39:24
iodemus Audiophile Posts: 170 Joined: October 21, 2010	Sorry, I do not understand. Can you please explain it more clearly?

Well said Mr. Brown !!! , posted on December 16, 2015 at 12:55:00

drlowmu
Manufacturer

Posts: 9730
Location: East of Kansas City
Joined: January 10, 2005

Mr. Dennis Fraker, since 1989 as far as I can tell, is at the Vanguard of this.

I now like to use about 7 to 8 different film bypass caps for EACH cap position, value and type chosen ONLY by ear, as in my mid-2015 built Type 45 SET amp above, with WIMA DC LINKS as the main supply cap. Nothing over 50 uF for main cap, 10 Ohms maximum DCR for Ls, good wiring, L1/C1/L2/C2 to Finals.

Jeff Medwin

RE: Ok to mix different cathode film caps in a SET?, posted on December 16, 2015 at 13:12:43
iodemus Audiophile Posts: 170 Joined: October 21, 2010	As I understand the result will provide the common denominator, and that is good in this case. Thank you for a clear answer!

RE: You need to try it yourself., posted on December 25, 2015 at 10:17:44

DAK
Audiophile

Posts: 2712
Location: PACIFIC
Joined: August 8, 2010

It really doesn't harm anything to bypass a cap with a different type and value, and for the most part an easy thing to do as long as you have the space. It was de riguer for many audiophiles in the 90s but not so much anymore. Then, it was recommended that an electrolytic cap by bypassed by a film cap of about 1% of its value. I use that ratio for the most part and I like to use a PIO cap for the bypass. To me the PIO cap imparts a smoother presentation and can increase the level of detail retrieval. Happy holidays, Dak

RE: Well said Mr. Brown !!! , posted on December 26, 2015 at 16:02:41
lugnut1 Audiophile Posts: 132 Location: Austin,TX Joined: September 24, 2011	Beautiful amp, Jeff. I'm sure it sounds even better than it looks. Care to share the details....

RE: Ok to mix different cathode film caps in a SET?, posted on December 27, 2015 at 06:16:54

Stuben
Audiophile

Posts: 669
Location: Guber Ohio
Joined: December 30, 2005

I have always wondered what the implications of paralleling capacitors of different ESR capabilities....does not seem like a great approach. I have tried paralleling speaker crossover caps with no real audible reward at least to my ears...and I do bypass large supply caps (with audible rewards) not the same though....haven't tried signal coupling or bypass positions.

I do hear the sonic differences between different caps...just have a hard time subscribing to the "Sound on one cap" idea without having a perfect platform to test on....

Free your ears and your soldering iron will follow...

Stuben

RE: Well said Mr. Brown !!! , posted on December 28, 2015 at 04:16:30
drlowmu Manufacturer Posts: 9730 Location: East of Kansas City Joined: January 10, 2005	Sure, Contact me with your email address, you can use Forum's Message system. Jeff

RE: Ok to mix different cathode film caps in a SET?, posted on December 28, 2015 at 19:59:30

Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005

I have found the same thing you have..I use the FT2s if an amp is a little laid back to where high end detail can be flushed out.I used K40s or Vitamin Qs where I have at least 100vdc or more on the preceding stage and I have used Obligatos and even Solen Film and Tin foil on input stages..I like to mix caps for best results.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

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Ok to mix different cathode film caps in a SET?

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