Tweaker's Asylum

• Re: Increasing Amp Capacitance - E-Stat 14:48:18 08/21/01 (5)
  In Reply to: Increasing Amp Capacitance posted by Cactus Jack on August 21, 2001 at 14:06:28:

  I performed that surgery on an Audire amp long ago. Added some beer can sized caps to the power supply. I upgraded the bridge rectifier to a larger capacity unit to prevent the additional start up current from frying it. If memory serves, I replaced the 15 amp with a 30 amp.

  Dynamics and bass punch were definitely improved. It would also play on for a good minute following power off.

  rw
  
  

  ---

  • Re: Increasing Amp Capacitance - Cactus Jack 16:16:56 08/21/01 (0)
    In Reply to: Re: Increasing Amp Capacitance posted by E-Stat on August 21, 2001 at 14:48:18:

    Did you add any bypass caps like some people seem to reccomend. I kind of doubt that this would make much difference with a bass shaker however.

    Thanks,
    Jason Pannell
    
    

    ---
  • Re: Increasing Amp Capacitance - john curl 15:29:19 08/21/01 (3)
    In Reply to: Re: Increasing Amp Capacitance posted by E-Stat on August 21, 2001 at 14:48:18:

    Adding capacitance almost always helps. The larger caps both regulate the supply voltage and provide a low impedance low frequency return path. Both are important. At some point, perhaps over 100,000uF per channel, other problems arise,such as VERY non-linear charge current, tranformer saturation, RFI etc. Then, other upgrades should be considered.
    
    

    ---

    • Questions - PhilH 19:51:30 08/21/01 (2)
      In Reply to: Re: Increasing Amp Capacitance posted by john curl on August 21, 2001 at 15:29:19:

      John

      Do you mean 50,000 uF per rail on each channel (100,000 uF total per channel) or 100,000 uF per rail? I know your email says the first but wanted to check.

      What other upgrades would you consider when you max out filter capacitance? Bigger transformer, regulation????

      Thanks very much.

      Phil H.
      
      

      ---

      • Re: Questions - john curl 13:57:02 08/22/01 (1)
        In Reply to: Questions posted by PhilH on August 21, 2001 at 19:51:30:

        I stated the problem in a general way, and there is a general solution. If you want better sound, don't just add huge caps, because you get into problems. You can design a Pi network like ELSO and Musical Fidelity did, or use a choke input, or use a HUGE transformer and re-wire your house. It's up to you, but I can't supply the details.
        
        

        ---

        • Re: Questions - PhilH 19:12:31 08/22/01 (0)
          In Reply to: Re: Questions posted by john curl on August 22, 2001 at 13:57:02:

          Thanks John. Not looking for details, just approaches, so your response is well-taken and much appreciated.

          Thanks again.
          
          

          ---

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Parts Connexion

---

[ Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]

---

[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]

---