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In Reply to: Evaluation of the change by replacing lytics with 100uF ASC caps for the B+.. . You're missing the boat! posted by John PA on September 21, 2004 at 19:48:51:
One almost always gets a dramatic improvement when replacing electrolytics with film caps. The gap in technical performance is so huge; dielectric absorption, leakage current, ESR.... you name it.
However, I find Solens better than ASC in power supplies. You can get 50uF and 100uF Solens in radial cans. Ansar in the UK also makes excellent caps. If you want oil impregnated caps, the GE motor run caps are also excellent choices. All of these sound "faster" than the ASC, which I find can curtail dynamics.Adrian
P.S. The average manufacturing cost of a $5000 amplifier is around $1000. A $30 component (especially when you need several) would make a big difference to profit, especially when you can get standard electrolytics for less than 10% of the cost.
Follow Ups:
What I hear with the Solen cap is good if bypassed. I suggested them to a manufacture of tube equipment a few years ago, who tries out my suggestions from time to time, and he did not like them. He heard the same thing I do when they are not bypassed and for production he did not want to bypass and go through the extra steps. The speed and dynamics of my system can startle. I find that using the 100uF caps and a 20uF ASC has a synergistic effect. I have many Solens sitting in a box and I know some people really like them but I have found that my own preference has leaned towards the ASC or that type. I listen to a lot of "live" music and with my setup now, I sometimes prefer my system, except for the fun of being around other people, which is not always that much fun.I have manufactured in the past and I realize what additional cost do but cost no object or just the "improved" model would still seem to be very viable in this market, especially when some people are able to pay the higher cost, desiring the best sound they can get.
ja in clear and a cool morning, Tucson, AZ
The Elaborate DAC=55/76 or 27 Balanced Preamp=Balanced Six Pacs=Newform Research 645
I don't know if you are aware John, but motor run caps in general carry an AC voltage rating but not a DC voltage rating. Now your ASC's might but most don't. In the past they did. I have a GE 97F sereis in front of me that says 440 VAC and 1,000 VDC. But new ones aren't DC rated. They do make other series that are DC rated though. So maybe the biggest reason is more to do with UL approval and legal things than money and space.Just a thought.
Glad you like the caps and don't be afraid to try them in other locations. I used them for speaker crossover and others have reported good sound in coupling cap locations. You can buy small size ones like 1.0 uF.
mostly the smaller values like 1 uf that you mentioned?
just do ac times 1.6 and you have a good rule of thumb for dc
their caps are going to be increased in AC voltage to 440 on all and that the DC is at least 800volts. I did a breakdown voltage on them and at 900 volts they were still fine. There was little leakage to almost none on some. The 100uF were less that 1% or their uF rating! All of them. I was surprised by this.ja in cool and getting warm again, Tucson, AZ
The Elaborate DAC=55/76 or 27 Balanced Preamp=Balanced Six Pacs=Newform Research 645
I've been messing round with the Russian teflon caps - cheap enough to do so. Made a 1uF with ten .1uF and it outclasses all the polypropylenes I've tried. Haven't tried paper in oils - what are you using?
you find you like the sound even more.ja in clear and a nice cool morning, Tucson, AZ
The Elaborate DAC=55/76 or 27 Balanced Preamp=Balanced Six Pacs=Newform Research 645
excellent. I find that a pio bypassed with a .056 or .1, depending on the application is very good but the stacked .1 with a .056 or without are great.I have tried them in amplifiers and preamps.
ja in clear and cool, Tucson, aZ
The Elaborate DAC=55/76 or 27 Balanced Preamp=Balanced Six Pacs=Newform Research 645
I have a bunch of the 0.1uF Russian Teflon caps that I am planning on using in my next project: a Telefunken V69a clone.
In my other amps, I have used NOS TCC super metalpak PIO caps and Jupiter wax caps.
As for PIOs, I have tried Jensen and AN copper foil, but I prefer the TCC. These are getting hard to find though.
In my preamp, I use NOS Siemens MKY polypropylene caps.Adrian
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