Best sounding electrolytic caps for a Studer A807 recap job/upgrade. Any advice?

[jascha]

Hello everyone,

I came to this forum hoping to find some answer to a project I have in mind to do on my 2 Studer A807 tape machines. These machines must now be around 25 years of age and decided to have a peak inside one of them and measure the esr on some caps on the audio electronics boards and some seem to measure higher than the rating suggested on my esr meter. This causes some concern and have decided to recap both machines eventually, but only after getting some expert advice on which brand and types of caps I should be looking for. The caps that were originally installed were made by Philips and I somehow believe I can do better by installing better caps. There is absolutely nothing wrong with my machines but I'd rather recap them now than wait for something to go wrong. I am after a warm analogue sound and have been reading online about different sounding electrolytic caps but the choices are many and am rather confused.
I believe I came to the right place here and would appreciate some guidance please. I read about Elna Silmic caps, Panasonic, Nichicon and Rubycon caps, each brand offering different varieties. I am hoping to find caps that give me a few thousand hours with low esr and a great sound. Many thanks for your advice. 

[Doc B.]

My suggestion is to look in the Studer list archives. I recall that there are some who insist on using exact replacements. At any rate, that will be a better source than here. You could also try the Tape Project forum. It's not very active, but people will probably respond to your inquiry with some useful info.

[jascha]

Many thanks for your reply. I simply believe that today's standards of components are perhaps of higher standards than when the machines were built? Don't know.I have done some research and some people like to recap their equipment with Elna Silmic caps. I wish I could device some little piece of kit where I can switch between different brands of caps of same value and do some critical listening by switching from one cap to another. Will be an interesting project I guess. 

[Doc B.]

I sure think they are manufactured to a higher standard today. Just wanted to give you the opportunity to read more opinions. I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as you use caps with good temperature and ESR ratings and a long hour rating.