Electrolytic capacitor life expectancy

vetmed · 1455

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Offline vetmed

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on: March 09, 2016, 04:35:43 PM
I'm wondering because some of my Bottlehead gear in particular is starting to get a little long in the tooth, Seduction is so old that when new had a printed assembly manual but still seems to work :D  What would be signs that replacement is required? TIA

Robert Lees

Robert Lees


Offline Doc B.

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Reply #1 on: March 09, 2016, 05:38:34 PM
Low B+ voltage, increased hum, bulging caps, blown fuse.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
President For Life
Bottlehead Corp.


Offline ToolGuyFred

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Reply #2 on: March 14, 2016, 02:58:14 AM
I have been doing the audio kit thing now for nearly 40 years and have never had a decent (i.e. recognizable brand) electrolytic capacitor fail in my audio gear.   :) Computer motherboards and cell phones - don't get me started. >:(

My old S/S preamp (still in use for it's phono stage and shortly to be replaced by Reduction) is about 30 years old and still going strong. I have heard the opinion aired that electrolytics in regular use live much longer than those which have infrequent use - particularly if there are long periods (years) between power-ups. YMMV.

John
Amateur Audiophile and Backstreet Boffin.
Original Foreplay with C4S + Sweet Whispers
ParaSEX amps with MQ nickel-cored outputs
Factory-built Lowther Acousta 115s with silver-coiled DX3s, wired in DNM solid-core
KEF active sub (help for the last couple of octaves).
Bottlehead DAC on batteries.