Output Capacitor Upgrading Questions

[NightFlight]

For the objectivist re-cap burn-in a quick google search brought up this:
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/parts/81355-capacitor-burn-break.html

You'l have to sign in to get the images.

[free]

Grainger49,
    .  .  .    You say "The film replacements are a whole 'nother animal." do you mean in terms of sound?

Good film caps are much different than electrolytics.  To start with, most electrolytics have a polarity.  Film caps don't.

They are made with very different technologies.  For instance you can get a good 3300uF 180V for ~$8, you can get a nice film 1.0uF 200V (film are usually higher voltages) for $14.50.  That is 1/3300 smaller capacitance.

See, a whole 'nother animal.

2673 to be precise, but yeah, didn't thought it would be such a diff. Usually caps have the problem of having a very low energy density. Even the best ones have like 10x less than a battery but they can be recharged very quickly over 500k times.

Just read what JamieMcC posted, interesting. Also read some specs. From what I understand film caps are sensitive and may improve sound. Have yet to hear it myself.

[mcandmar]

Just stumbled across these wet tantalums on Mouser

http://ie.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Vishay/XTV157T270P0L/?Vishay/XTV157T270P0L/&qs=sGAEpiMZZMtZ1n0r9vR22fK3z/K%252bskJOcMtwYwZ%252bODI=

[Paul Birkeland]

Tantalum capacitors generally have more measurable distortion than electrolytics, so they are generally avoided in the signal path.

[JamieMcC]

Well I suppose it was inevitable I have had a JFX  2.2uF 250V Polypropylene Film cap that has been sitting in my parts box for a while now (I brought it at the same time as the 100uf films as it only cost £1.72) and ended up soldering it in as film bypass cap across the last electrolytic filter cap in the Crack earlier today.

 I feel there has been a slight improvement in fluidity and presence a touch more body to vocals and also the top end has slightly more crispness to the shimmers and tinkles without importantly for me adding any brightness.

 It now opens up a can of worms with respect to trying something like a PIO or SIO or further bypassing of the current bypassing cap with a smaller Teflon.
 

I will let the cap burn in for a week or two in situ while I mull over which options to have fun experimenting with next.
 
(https://www.head-fi.org/content/type/61/id/1031351/width/900/height/675/flags/LL)

[mcandmar]

Not sure if this has been posted before but its an interesting read.  For anybody just interested in power supply or coupling caps you can probably just skip to part 5 or 6.

Capacitor Sound Series: http://www.scribd.com/doc/2610442/capacitor-sound

[Strikkflypilot]

Hi guys!
I am new to this whole cap thing

Would these be an upgrade tomthe stock caps?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4pcs-NEW-BC-PHILIPS-043-100UF-250V-21x38mm-L-Life-HI-END-AXIAL-CAP-FOR-AUDIO-/171303408745?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item27e27a9469

[mcandmar]

No not really, they are still electrolytic capacitors.  Those bi-polar styles are basically two capacitors end to end inside a single package so they probably sound worse.

I wouldn't bother replacing the stock caps with anything unless they were Polypropylene film, easy to spot as they will be huge!

[Strikkflypilot]

Thanks.

I try finding an "ideal" upgrade cap to the stock. Not easy.
Basically I dont want anything to get worse than stock, then just add more clarity from mids and up.

[Grainger49]

Hi guys!
I am new to this whole cap thing

Would these be an upgrade tomthe stock caps?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4pcs-NEW-BC-PHILIPS-043-100UF-250V-21x38mm-L-Life-HI-END-AXIAL-CAP-FOR-AUDIO-/171303408745?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item27e27a9469

Which cap are you going to replace?  Recommendations vary depending on which.

[Strikkflypilot]

@Grainger
It seems that the most audible difference would be upgrade the output caps,
so Ill start there.
Happy to hear Your thoughts

[JamieMcC]

A rough guide for a pair of capacitors

$10 or less you could try adding 1uf film bypass to the electrolytic capacitors
 
$30 approx and a little time spent ebay hunting you will find standard 100uf film capacitors used/surplus
 
$60-$100  and ever upwards new branded audio film capacitors

[Strikkflypilot]

Thanks Jamie.
It looks like a Mundorf MCap 250v 100uF bypassed by a Mundorf Supreme 1uF
would be sweet.
Any thoughts?

[Grainger49]

The output caps are a large value.  I agree with Mcandmar, another electrolytic won't get you where you should be. 

What you are looking for is a film cap.  Daytons are inexpensive for that value and voltage rating.  They will make an appreciable difference in the sound.

Do a search and read this thread, you will find a pretty good list of film caps available that will make an appreciable difference.  (I don't have a Crack, so haven't done this myself)

[serpent68]

Thanks Jamie.
It looks like a Mundorf MCap 250v 100uF bypassed by a Mundorf Supreme 1uF
would be sweet.
Any thoughts?

Yes, that's a very nice option.  I have the Mundorf MCap 100uF, but bypassed with a 1uF Jantzen Superior Z-Cap.  A big step up from the stock electrolytics.