Sorta homemade EL84 Amp

[corndog71]

I understand the ESR of these caps is only a fraction of an identical value electrolytic cap plus they'll never leak or have any of the associated long term problems with electrolytic caps.

Oddly enough, the ESR is actually specified as being higher than what we would typically include in our kits, though I'd imagine the Clarity caps will handle ripple current a bit better (and they ought to sound better just based on materials).

Are you sure?  The TC caps are in the milliohms.

[Paul Joppa]

The spec is mOhm - milliohms - and smaller than any electrolytic.

[Paul Birkeland]

Ah, I missed the "m", NICE!!!

[corndog71]

I was looking under the hood of my Sex amp and figured it would cost me almost $500 to replace the power supply caps with TC caps.  I would have to mount it to an additional box too as those 220uF caps are over 6" long and 2.5" wide! 

I bet it would sound even more fantastic though.

[Paul Birkeland]

I don't think you're going to need 220uF in those positions with the ESR being that low. 

I think I might be more inclined to leave the two 220uF caps stock, but install the 110uF Clarity caps to start

-PB

[earwaxxer]

got to love that clean build! That, to me, is the real beauty!

[corndog71]

got to love that clean build! That, to me, is the real beauty!

I appreciate that.  It took me 10 hours of concentrated work (while doing laundry!) to finish it.  I was designing and building on the fly trying to work with the materials I had on hand(Radio Shack), keep everything safe, neat and mounted in a way that won't fall apart.  I was in the zone and not even an old and constantly dying rechargeable drill was going to stop me from getting it working.

[corndog71]

I don't think you're going to need 220uF in those positions with the ESR being that low. 

I think I might be more inclined to leave the two 220uF caps stock, but install the 110uF Clarity caps to start

-PB

If I'm going to put film caps in, then I want to go all the way.  My ST35 amp sounds so much better without the electrolytics it's insane. 

So you're saying if I were to do that I wouldn't need as much capacitance?
  I see on each channel a couple of 220uF and a 47uF.  I'll have to live with that 1000uf cap.  There's also a 22uF cap by the C4S boards.  Is that in the signal path?  I'm unable to review my manual for some strange reason.

[tsingle999]

I believe the 22uf is in the signal path. I put in a 22 uf oilcap. Not sure if i heard or liked the change...

[Paul Birkeland]

I'll have to live with that 1000uf cap.  There's also a 22uF cap by the C4S boards.  Is that in the signal path?  I'm unable to review my manual for some strange reason.

The 22uF cap is pretty well isolated by the C4S load, though things like this are "supposed" to not make a difference, reality seems to say otherwise.

The 1000uF/35V has some substitution options, there's a Nichicon 1000uF/25V ES, 1000uF/35V FG, 1000/35 KA, 1000uF/25V KZ, etc. 

One can drive themselves insane trying to pick these things...

[corndog71]

One can drive themselves insane trying to pick these things...

Or one can have fun doing it.

[Paul Birkeland]

True, the stakes are reasonably low with the Nichicon exotics electrolytics at least.

[earwaxxer]

Hey Rob, not sure if you saw this review on electrolytics =)

It might help a bit.

http://tech.juaneda.com/en/articles/electrolyticcapacitors.html

Eric

[corndog71]

Hey Rob, not sure if you saw this review on electrolytics =)

It might help a bit.

http://tech.juaneda.com/en/articles/electrolyticcapacitors.html

Eric

Thanks Eric.  That was interesting.  And of course the best caps are the hardest to find.