Bottlehead Forum
Bottlehead Kits => Legacy Kit Products => Quickie => Topic started by: machinehead on February 19, 2010, 12:12:21 PM
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Capacitor change.
Gents, I wanted to try rolling some different caps ( the 2.2 uF ones) with some different types and brands.
If a certain brand only has a 2.0 uF cap, and I replace the 2.2 uF with this, what will the effect be?
I know I can add a .2uF one in parallel, but it starts getting expensive.
Thanks.
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There will be no sonic effect from changing the value, only by changing the composition or brand. Don't worry about 0.2uF.
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I was thinking of changing the stock 2.2uf caps with some Solen 2.2uf/250v would I hear any difference in the sound?.
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There would be a difference. The most often liked brand of cap in Bottlehead equipment is Auricap. Some don't like the sound of Solen caps but they are delivered in the Eros. There is a whole long thing about sound flavoring and caps. Each is different and you have to find out what you like. It takes time (break in) and money. Sadly there is no substitute for either.
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Grainger49 is right, you have to tune it to your ears and system.
However, some reading can help drill down, or at least give you an idea about the sonic qualities of each, I used this article to help with my decision:
http://www.laventure.net/tourist/caps.htm
I went with the REL caps from Parts Express, (called Audio Caps) they rate very high on the list and are very reasonable ($25 each), I plan on soldering them in today. This article is great because of its thorough reasearch, there are others that deal with speaker cross over caps:
http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html
Interesting that what my sound great in x-overs, may not in electronics.
Anyway, it is a starting point, then you have to see what sounds good in your system and what you like.
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I've been switching to Sonicap lately because I just find them to be very neutral yet still very dynamic with a nice, big soundstage. Plus, if you get them from GR-Research, Danny will sell you matched pairs.
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I was thinking of changing the stock 2.2uf caps with some Solen 2.2uf/250v would I hear any difference in the sound?.
What is the difference between and cap rated at 2.2uf 250v versus a cap at 2.2uf 800v and can either be used to upgrade the quickie?
Thanks,
Don
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What is the difference between and cap rated at 2.2uf 250v versus a cap at 2.2uf 800v
About 550V. Either one will work just fine, they are both more than adequate for a circuit that uses 4 9V batteries for power (36V B+).
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What is the difference between and cap rated at 2.2uf 250v versus a cap at 2.2uf 800v
About 550V. . . .
Thank you Doc! Succinctly put, and saved me the typing.
P.S. The higher voltage cap will be much bigger too.
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I am new at this. Can I assume that the voltage is the maximum handling capacity of the CAP?
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I am new at this. Can I assume that the voltage is the maximum handling capacity of the CAP?
There is the labeled voltage which is the DC working volts for the cap. Then there is a seldom published surge voltage for capacitors. This is higher and differs from manufacturer to manufacturer. That is why in some circuits Paul Joppa would like to see an 800V cap, but he also admits that the 600V and 650V cap works well. He posted this recently in another thread.
A Quickie has 36V max, no surge, on the circuit. You would have to look hard to find one with a rated voltage that wouldn't work.
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here is my quickie with REL caps AudioCap Theta series, yes I need to re-route the ground wire, right now it is sitting under the cap.
Can't wait for them to break in, the at first listen not much difference to the broken in stock film caps.
So I am hoping once these break in it will be a noticeable improvement. I do here more upper octave details and better spread of sound stage,
not quite so centered in the middle of the sound stage.
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I have a question about the Auricap's I am going to install in my Quickie, I see they have a red and black lead, does it make a difference which lead goes where.
Thanks, labrat 10
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Auricap says the black lead is the outer foil, which should go to the source (tube plate). Red goes to positive for power supply applications.
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Thanks for the info, I will let you know the results.
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Does anyone know how to tell the orientation for REL Caps AudioCaps?
Is there a way to test with a meter for correct orientation?
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Update on Quickie with Auricaps used as coupling caps, dont hear much difference than the stock ones but I guess they will improve with time. The big difference came when I installed the Amperex Bugle Boys, much more detail an no microponics, but I guess they should at $25 pr.
By the way how do you post pictures?.
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Use a website like www.photobucket.com to host your pictures. Then when you post here you add the link to your picture.
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Additional options > attach > browse
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Bwa, ha, ha, ha! (Boris' laugh) Paul, a very interesting choice of random pictures. I admit I had a thing for Natasha as a kid.
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Hi machinehead any updates?
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Not as far as finding the orientation of the REL AudioCaps.
But I am loving the Alps and AudioCap combo. Still waiting on the cotton and silk tubing so I can go with the OCC silver wire.
The Telefunken and Mullard tubes are awesome, easily the best upgrade.
At this point I am guessing you would have to spend $1200 on a preamp to better this little quickie!
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If I understood non-polarized film cap "orientation" it gives a modicum of additional noise rejection. It doesn't flavor the sound in any way.
That is to say that you don't have to worry about a "wrongly oriented" cap sounding bad.
That is if I understood the posts several years back.
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Hi machinehead any updates?
I think the caps are breaking in, for some reason yesterday I was listening to it and noticed that the soundstage was as deep as can be and
very layered and detailed. Not something I have had before.
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I am looking for something to use as a power supply rather than 9v batteries, but I am not sure where to begin. I did see some SLA batteries for sale at the Surplus store the other week. Three 12V would do the trick, no? I am tempted to try, but it also means downtime between chargers, and am not sure where I would find a well priced charger locally.
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I was looking at the doing something similar. I had an idea, although it is not cheap. Us qty (2) either NiCad or Lithium 18V battery packs from a cordless drill, it would net you 36V total, and a quick charger is readily available.
I am looking for something to use as a power supply rather than 9v batteries, but I am not sure where to begin. I did see some SLA batteries for sale at the Surplus store the other week. Three 12V would do the trick, no? I am tempted to try, but it also means downtime between chargers, and am not sure where I would find a well priced charger locally.
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Morton,
Yes, that is a viable option. Remember, they have to be charged before use and charged as they run down.
You need a charger. Harbor Freight has one for $6-12 or somewhere in the mid $30 range. The later is much better, the former will not charge all three at the same time.
These batteries run in series and charge in parallel, or singly with the cheap charger.
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Damn... i had 2 threads open at once... wrong thread there haha.
I am also looking at caps. I don't want to spend a tonne, but was wondering what Auricaps would do to the sound, or would Mundorf Supremes make a bigger difference? Like I mean, it will change the sound, right?
And which caps make the difference? Do both pairs? What about resistors?
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That is a matter of personal taste. Poster Paully puts Auricaps in every build from the get go. He is awfully sold on them. I have had Auricaps and have also used KK PIO (Kommie Kap Paper In Oil), KK Teflon, TRW, Obbligato Film In Oil (Black) and some others I can't even remember. Right now my Eros and FP 2 have Mundorf Silver/Oil caps.
Each is a different sound and rolling them in and out makes a sonic difference I either like or like less.
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Hey Granger,
"These batteries run in series and charge in parallel, or singly with the cheap charger."
So that's the deal with the 3 connections on the battery packs? learn something new here every day...John
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I was saying you can only charge one battery at a time with the cheap charger. I figured out the switch, 4PDT, wiring for two batteries but I might lose my mind trying to figure it for three.
I would just manually swap them to parallel with jumpers if I were charging 3 at a time.
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Just some clarity.... the Obbligato Film In Oil (Black) does not have orientation right? Just got them a few days back are they are presently being broken in on the frybaby. I got the TKD as well, so before I solder just wanted to check.
Thanks
shreekant :)
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yes, that's correct.
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Film caps, unlike electrolytic, are non polar. It shouldn't matter which way you hook them up, although I have read some manufacturers recommend the film end to ground, on most caps you cant tell one for the other.
I guess this is a good opportunity to remind everyone to be VERY careful with getting the polarity right with electrolytics (ie. explosion)!
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OK. Got it going today. Did break in the caps on the fry baby but the TKD has to break in. However, straight off it is much smoother with better bass. There is more detail and a wider stage. Overall, worth the investment.
My SEX 2.1 will have a TKD within a few days as I did not want to make too many changes .Hopefully the C4S too be added, then I guess with the VCaps which are already in, I should be a happy man. BTW, a set of GE and RCA for the SEX and a set of Mullard for the Quickie are presently being cryoed and should reach me by Tuesday.... then the bar will need stocking up, cause a singlt malt with the above is close to SEX ;D
Thanks for all the inputs, everybody.
shreekant :)
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Forgot to add.... I for the caps matched and I dunno it is because of that or the TKD, the imaging is vet good with a perfect center . Earlier I did have times when the stage drifted, now it is really nice.
shreekant :)
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Forgot to add.... I for the caps matched and I dunno it is because of that or the TKD, the imaging is vet good with a perfect center . Earlier I did have times when the stage drifted, now it is really nice.
shreekant :)
Hey Shreekant - what TKD did you get? I'm going to have to try those black Obligatto's.
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100K, 2CP-601. Any idea how long pots take to break in?
I have only used stepped in my other other gear......easy to break in at constant fixed volume.
shreekant :)
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yep, thats the one I have. I like it. Dont know about 'break in' for pots. I tend not to think that break in is an issue with pots. I could be wrong.
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I got lucky. The guys at Parts Conx did not have the caps and I had ordered it with the TKD. There was a delay of about 15days. During that time, they decided to have a 20% discount and I got eveything at a discount!!!!!
shreekant :)
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cool - more money for single malts!
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Now, I dunno where the credit should go....... to the caps or the TKD. The bass is clean and the highs are getting very interesting. But the thing that I am kicked about is the stage. Really nice.
shreekant :)
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I agree with you on the 'staging' potentials with the Quickie. Very open and clean. Makes sense. Simple design. Most shops make their kit unnecessarily complex so that others cant copy it in two seconds. Not to take away from Paul's genius, just my opinion.