Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Eros Phono => Topic started by: denti alligator on July 10, 2021, 10:25:02 AM

Title: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: denti alligator on July 10, 2021, 10:25:02 AM
I’m ordering some caps for the Steremour II and thought I’d throw in some for the Eros, too. Which ones will make the most difference, and what uF and voltage ranges would work? Thanks.
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: Paul Birkeland on July 10, 2021, 10:27:48 AM
There's just one pair of coupling caps in the Eros.  The size and voltage is listed in the manual.

I would not change out the RIAA caps unless you buy 10 of each and hand match them to ensure you get reasonably close values.
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: denti alligator on July 10, 2021, 10:58:51 AM
Thanks. I’m eyeing the Mundorf ZN series 0.10uF /630V. Anyone have favorites?
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: debk on July 10, 2021, 11:02:35 AM
I used V-Cap ODAM Series Audio Capacitors.  I have used them in a few projects and really like them.
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: denti alligator on July 10, 2021, 11:06:26 AM
I used V-Cap ODAM Series Audio Capacitors.  I have used them in a few projects and really like them.
Thanks, Deb. Those are a bit out of my price range, unfortunately.
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: Paul Birkeland on July 10, 2021, 11:08:11 AM
Thanks. I’m eyeing the Mundorf ZN series 0.10uF /630V. Anyone have favorites?
That's not the size for the coupling caps.  400V rated caps are more than enough.
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: denti alligator on July 10, 2021, 11:23:12 AM
That's not the size for the coupling caps.  400V rated caps are more than enough.
I’m away from home and don’t have the manual on hand so I went from discussion in these forums. So it’s 0.10uF/400V? Is there a downside to going higher on the voltage or is it just unnecessary?
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: Paul Birkeland on July 10, 2021, 11:32:44 AM
No, it's not a 0.1uF cap. Go for at least 1uF.
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: denti alligator on July 10, 2021, 11:43:24 AM
Sorry, I typed wrong. 1uF. The voltage should be 400. Is it ok if it’s higher? 630?
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: Paul Birkeland on July 10, 2021, 12:14:00 PM
It's not a problem, but you're potentially paying for a bigger/heavier cap that you don't need. There are some nice Clarity and Multicap 1uF/400V caps available if you want something other than a Solen.
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: debk on July 10, 2021, 05:12:27 PM
Sam,

I have a couple of 1uf Mundorf Supreme Silver/oil caps I'm not using that would work for you.  If you want them PM me your address and I will send them out to you
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: johnsonad on July 11, 2021, 03:36:13 AM
Another to consider is one that DocB recommended which is the Solen film and foil.  They have a Tefleon film and foil and poly film and foil.  The poly is cheap and they sound great.  They are in my Eros2 build.  My Eros1 build has the Teflon version.  They don't need to be 1uF.  I believe Parts Connexion has 0.82uF Teflons.

Both take a little time to break in.  Tube rolling will have a greater impact in the Eros (IMO) and the caps will allow you to hear the changes a little clearer. Just my 2 cents.
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: oguinn on July 11, 2021, 04:21:41 AM
Deb,

If Sam doesn’t want them I’d buy them off you.
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: Tom-s on July 11, 2021, 08:07:00 AM
I’m happy with Jupiter wax caps in my Eros.

Went with 2,2uf as that’s what I had.

Going paper oil type you might want to check out Audio Miflex as an alternative.

They get a great score on The humble home made hifi comparison and are affordable compared to many others.
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: denti alligator on July 25, 2021, 04:04:43 AM
About to install the 1uF 690V Mundorfs I got from Deb. Just to be sure: these replace the 1.50uF 630V caps that are at the output jacks, right?
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: Paul Birkeland on July 25, 2021, 04:17:56 AM
Yes.
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: denti alligator on July 25, 2021, 04:25:19 AM
Thanks. Do I need to protect the leads with heat shrink?  There won’t be but a few millimeters.
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: Paul Birkeland on July 25, 2021, 04:26:30 AM
Is there anything else mounted out there that could touch the leads?
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: denti alligator on July 25, 2021, 04:32:44 AM
Is there anything else mounted out there that could touch the leads?
No.
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: denti alligator on July 25, 2021, 04:48:23 AM
Last question: is there any reason I can’t attach the leads to the top (instead of bottom) of the terminal strip?
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: Tom-s on July 25, 2021, 05:19:47 AM
You'll be fine Sam. Enjoy the new caps.

In my own Eros i've routed the PCB cable to the bottom . So i'd only need to attach the output cap cable on top mount position.

This helps the ease of changing out capacitors.
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: Paul Birkeland on July 25, 2021, 05:48:12 AM
Last question: is there any reason I can’t attach the leads to the top (instead of bottom) of the terminal strip?
If you attach the caps to the bottom lugs, there's no twisting force on the lugs themselves.  Attached to the top, heavy caps can try to twist the terminals so the rotate within the phenolic, and that can cause some problems down the road.
Title: Re: Cap upgrades for Eros II
Post by: denti alligator on July 25, 2021, 05:58:16 AM
If you attach the caps to the bottom lugs, there's no twisting force on the lugs themselves.  Attached to the top, heavy caps can try to twist the terminals so the rotate within the phenolic, and that can cause some problems down the road.
The leads of these Mundorfs were just too thick too get in the bottom (I had a hard time removing all the solder), so I went with putting them up top.