Crack power supply and output caps

[mingles]

I just ordered a Crack and Speedball. I'd like to upgrade the output caps to film. Parts Connexion has a 20% sale this month, so it's a good time to buy. Does anything stand out as a best bang for the buck? These are what I'm considering:

100 uF Solen 400 vdc PB (56mm D x 72mm) $28.17
two 50 uF Axon 250 vdc (37.5mm x 53mm) $9.28

I don't know if four Axon will fit in the stock chassis. I've seen recommendations for motor run caps, but don't know where to buy them. I also wonder how big they are and whether they'd fit.

I scoured this thread: Output Coupling Capacitors http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,526.0.html and came across another suggestion by Paul:

Quick note here - the last power supply capacitor is equally important to the sound IMHO.

What is the value of that last power supply cap?

Many thanks!
Mark

[pro_crip]

The last power supply cap is one of those 220uF 250V Panasonics. I upgraded all the power supply caps to the Panasonic TS-ED's, available at Mouser. As far as the output cap, I plan on installing these http://www.diyhifisupply.com/node/31 when I finally sort out my attenuator issues and install the speedball. Where oh where I'm going to stick them, aside from in my crack (wink,wink,nudge,nudge) is another issue entirely. I've also got a pair of GE 100uF caps that are even bigger. Have fun.


Rich

[ssssly]

Those solens are going to be huge. I have 47uf Solens in my SEX and they are the size of soup cans. Don't know if the 100uf will fit.

Partsconx has a couple motor runs that they sell. Can also find them on mouser, dk, and ebay. I am a big fan of motor runs for power supply caps. Have used Diversitech motoruns and like their performance. Will use them again. But they aren't small either. Have some picks of them in this thread. ttp://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,458.0.html

Used similar motor runs in my SEX with the stock chassis but it was a tight fit and required quite a bit of rewiring and larger feet for extra clearance. http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,861.0.html

Enjoy, can't wait to see how it turns out.

[ironbut]

Hey Rich,
I've got a pair of those Obbligato PS caps in my Crack (and some folks wonder why I'm grumpy!) and while I liked them at first, they may be going through a weird phase right now. I just noticed it a couple of days ago so I haven't really done any investigations to be sure that it's the caps but they're my #1 suspect.
The mids have sucked in and there's a mechanical sound to the highs.
Kinda weird at this stage of the game (I've got well over 1000 hours on them now).
I'll take a little time in the next couple of days to switch them out and report in this thread.

[Grainger49]

Steve,

Are the Obbligato caps your output caps?  If so try a pair of 0.1uF 600V KK Teflons bypassing them.  Well, use them if you got them.

[mingles]

The 100 uF Solen are definitely big: 56mm x 72mm (2.2" x 2.8").
 
Here's a picture with reference to a coin: http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,526.msg5890.html#msg5890
I'll ask dumbo if they fit.

FWIW, the tolerance of the Obbligato are rated at 10%. Solen and Axon are 5%. Does it matter in this application?

[ironbut]

Steve,

Are the Obbligato caps your output caps?  If so try a pair of 0.1uF 600V KK Teflons bypassing them.  Well, use them if you got them.

Thanks Grainger. I'll give that a try. I do have a number of .01uF K72 caps that I've already burned in so that should be a snap.

[Grainger49]

  .  .  .   FWIW, the tolerance of the Obbligato are rated at 10%. Solen and Axon are 5%. Does it matter in this application?

The tolerance is on the value.  And it is not critical that the parts be the specified value.  Practically speaking, if they are made at the same time they are often much closer in value to each other than the tolerance (closer to being matched).  Random samples from large lots are within the 5% or 10%.  The voltage rating is going to be what it is specified at or better.

[Maxwell_E]

Hey Steve, did you ever resolve the weirdness you were hearing? did the teflon bypass caps help out?

[ironbut]

Hey Maxwell,
You know, I totally spaced that out. I've been working on a bunch of other projects so I don't know when I'll be able to get around to it.

I think I'd stick with the Solens or Daytons since the folks who've tried them seem pretty happy.

BTW, I just noticed that I misplaced a decimal in my last post. That shoulda been .1uF K72's.

[corndog71]

I recommend Clarity Cap ESA series caps for the output caps.  They'll need around 100 hours or so to settle down.

[Maxwell_E]

Does the ESA range come in 100uF?

[mingles]

> Does the ESA range come in 100uF?

I was wondering the same thing. It doesn't look like it. ClarityCap PX does come in 100uF. They cost $52 from Madisound. That's more than I was planning to spend. I have to question whether they sound any better than Solen Fastcaps for half the price.

[Maxwell_E]

I was literally just on Madisound looking at those two caps, wondering the same thing. I feel that the Clarity Caps will inherently have better sound as they are an audio cap while the Solen is made for power supply use.

[corndog71]

I haven't used the CC PX caps but have used solens a lot.  Just from the looks they seem about the same quality but who knows.