In Reply to: Paper-in-Oil-Caps used in tube amps posted by John on November 06, 2000 at 06:07:18:
John,
On paper, yes the film & foils may measure better. And generally speaking, I have found the film & foils to be quicker, i.e. leading-edge transient information (snare drums, piano, etc.) has more snap to it, but the paper-in-oils tend to be much smoother in the midrange and upper mids and thus a little more natural sounding to me on things like vocals and acoustic instruments. I attribute this to the contruction materials and thus the damping effect of the paper and oil, i.e. less internal vibrations and microphonics.
I personally hear very little difference between the Hovland MusiCap and the Jensen Copper P&Os. The Jensens are just slightly warmer and the Hovlands are just slightly quicker.
I have always found the vitamin Qs to be a little too warm and gooey for me.
As always seems to be the case in audio, just when we find a parameter or measurement that we think enlightens us about the sound of a component, something else comes along and defies this measurement. Thus our ears remain the best test instrument.
Ron
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