Film output caps or bypass stock electrolytics?

[dludingt]

Hey all,

I recently finished a Crack + Speedball amp the other week and have already been blown away with the punchy, dynamic sound. I'm using a pair of HD-600's and listen to rock/jazz. I like a dynamic and punchy sound, with an emphasis on the mids.

As I start to dip my toes into the crazy upgrades that are possible on this amp, I'm trying to get the most bang for my buck. I plan on putting the Triad CX-7 choke in the power supply soon to start with the power supply.

So, what would make a bigger difference to the sound: putting in a pair of 100uf film caps to replace the stock electrolytics, or bypassing the stock caps with a nice pair of 1uf teflon or PIO caps?

[Grainger49]

Upgrading to film caps will have a larger impact on your sound than just bypassing them.  Kind of like whether a high performance car would perform better with 100% high test or half regular and half high test.

A recent poster found some inexpensive film caps that were bright red.  I don't know the maker but a search should find them.

[JamieMcC]

Upgrading to film caps will have a larger impact on your sound than just bypassing them.  Kind of like whether a high performance car would perform better with 100% high test or half regular and half high test.

A recent poster found some inexpensive film caps that were bright red.  I don't know the maker but a search should find them.

Those budget red Audiophiler caps it has been suggested by some one who has experimented with them and a wide range of caps they are best suited to power supply use and not in the signal path the extra few dollars it costs for some Solen or JFX audio caps is money worth spending

You can find the red ones on aliexpress

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1PC-Axial-Polypropylene-250V-100uF-Audiophiler-MKP-Capacitor-Vintage-Tube-Amplifier-Speaker-Circuit-Crossover/32229590718.html


There was a Crack recently not sure if it was here or headfi that had the electrolytic signal caps bypassed with a couple of Russian Teflons this is pretty inexpensive start only costing a few dollars to implement.

[dludingt]

This is exactly the feedback I was looking for! What are considered to be the options for film Caps? I've read plenty of threads and the more I read, the less clear it becomes what's considered good/better/best. What are recommended caps in a mid-price range? Solens? ClarityCap?

[Grainger49]

Caps are like spices, everybody likes a different one.  Do a search for output cap + Crack and you will find a number of suggestions.

[JamieMcC]

This is exactly the feedback I was looking for! What are considered to be the options for film Caps? I've read plenty of threads and the more I read, the less clear it becomes what's considered good/better/best. What are recommended caps in a mid-price range? Solens? ClarityCap?

Its rather a subjective subject and rather than recommend XY or Z its worth considering what type of presentation suits your tastes then further research of the sites with capacitor reviews can help narrow down likely options and perhaps even rule out certain types due to perhaps know sonic characteristics or physical size (you want to be have room to install them). Generally most budget options are pretty competent performers and its only as you work your way up to the path of diminishing returns that the common traits and areas of weaknesses in performance of the budget caps start to become noticeable. Personally I like the Russian caps the 3x30uf MBGO paper in oils with a Teflon bypass  I tried in the Crack and which cost less than £15 total ousted a pair of Mundorf Mcaps which retail at about £40 each! But that is just my ears and own personal preference for the type of music I listen to.
 

[JamieMcC]

I should clarify the Mundorf Mcap I tried where the 100uf 400v ones they are indeed nice sounding caps and the difference in performance was noticeable over the budget Solen and JFX which had been previously installed and about half the Mundorfs price. I thought bypassing the Solen JFX with Russian Teflon achieved similar end results to the Mcap but did not try bypassing the Mcap itself. My own preference has now slowly gravitated to the paper in oil or wax end of the spectrum.

I have had a lot of fun rolling film caps in the Crack its been relatively inexpensive to try as most have been sourced on ebay for very little outlay including recently a new 200uf 250v SCR film cap for £1 (I did feel a bit guilty and was the only bidder!).

It is certainly possibly with a little perseverance and if your not to snobby about branding to source and put together a great sounding three film capacitor Crack on a tight budget certainly well under £20 with a little patience.