Capacitors

[leo]

I was wondering what sort of good caps you guys recommend, theres the audiograde types like BG's,Cerafines,silmics etc but they all seem to add to much of a character to the sound, I'm basically trying to find some good industrial types to try out

How about something like Rubycon YXF etc?
I've tried Panasonic FC's which seem ok and BC136

 

[hifikrazy]

All electrolytics impart some sonic signature. It seems to be a case of finding one you like in any given position/application. Sometimes a mix can be good to balance the sound better. Panasonic FC as you've already mentioned are probably the best low cost lytic. Not sure if theyre still available but rubycons za/zl series were OK, BC 179 are supposed to be good. Never liked os-cons much.

 

[leo]

All electrolytics impart some sonic signature. It seems to be a case of finding one you like in any given position/application. Sometimes a mix can be good to balance the sound better. Panasonic FC as you've already mentioned are probably the best low cost lytic. Not sure if theyre still available but rubycons za/zl series were OK, BC 179 are supposed to be good. Never liked os-cons much.

Cheers mate,

I know what you mean regarding they all add a sonic signature, I also don't like Oscons anywhere apart from clock circuits and some various digital sections in cdp's.
Silmics are probably the worst sounding cap to my ears.
I'm currently building up a pre-amp based around the AD815AY and was trying to find some suitable caps for the decoupling,psu etc, I've got an old cdp which I use for a spare and would like to totally recap it too at some stage

 

[gregf]

Try the rubycon za/zl series, available from Fanrell at resonable prices. I also like some Nichicon-Muse ones but are difficult to find in the UK.

 

[leo]

Try the rubycon za/zl series, available from Fanrell at resonable prices. I also like some Nichicon-Muse ones but are difficult to find in the UK.

Thanks Greg,

I've used the Rubycon ZA's a few times especially in ALW's super regs, they are nice caps but can sometimes be a bit leaky.
Funny you should mention the Muse series, I've got some of those Nichicon Fine gold but have not tried them yet

I've noticed a lot of the commercial gear uses Samwha's

 

[peranders]

I've used the Rubycon ZA's a few times especially in ALW's super regs, they are nice caps but can sometimes be a bit leaky.

... just wondering: where have this any importance? What was the symptoms?

 

[felix]

Leakage current through any ecternal impedance makes a noise voltage. Bad for coupling applications, voltage references or anytime you're concerned with keeping things seriously quiet.

 

[peranders]

What did it result in practically in this particular application? 10 nV more noise of what?

 

[leo]

When I used to have a modded Naim Nac pre I used 47uf Rubycon ZA's in the feedback position, I started to notice after a while one of my speaker cones would move back and forwards (with no music playing) measuring the output of the pre showed I had varying DC, the trace on the scope would flicker up and down, cut a long story short it turned out to be the leaky ZA in the FB, putting another new ZA there solved the problem.
The ZA's also caused a few problems with a clock circuit I built, when these caps are working good they are indeed very good but trust me, they can be leaky I've had it happen more than once