EFFECT ON SQ DUE TO CAPACITOR QUALITY

[rupy]

Dear All,
I have got electroletic capacitors replaced in a vintage pre-amp.I found out that the capacitors are of a cheap brand,though they are of the same value/voltage.Is there a difference in SQ due to cheap capacitors or does it only effect the life of the component?I have only heard the pre-amp in its vintage as it has been handed down to me from a friend so I cannot make out the SQ issue.Please help.
Thanks.

 

[bornfi]

Unless you have used ultra-cheap ones, you are okay but good ones sound cleaner.

 

[rupy]

Unless you have used ultra-cheap ones, you are okay but good ones sound cleaner.

Thank you so much bornfi.

 

[reubensm]

Actually this is a question that may require a slightly more detailed answer. To sum it up in a nut-shell, the difference between an expensive capacitor and a local one is generally around accuracy of capacitance and the ability to maintain the same capacitance over its life time and also overall tolerance.

If used regularly and under prescribed conditions, high quality capacitors have a much longer lifespan as well. From my personal experience with recapping amplifiers, one should be very careful about the choice of capacitor used in coupling circuits (in the signal path between two stages), filter capacitors in the power supply or at various points, across different stages in the amplifier and finally, if working on solid state amplifiers with a output coupling capacitor (between the output transistors and the speaker).

Technicians often refer to electrolytic capacitors when speaking about recapping assignments. However a prudent thing to do would be to check all capacitors during a recapping exercise. Some technicians who are detailed oriented, even check resistors for drifting values (especially with tube amps or with any equipment or appliance that gets hot, a good example being an induction cook top).

Capacitors available off the shelf at our friendly neighborhood electronic stores are usually inexpensive, look quite colorful and of course, measure up rather well when they are brand-new or in use for a short period of time. Whether they will be able to maintain the same performance over years, is where the problem is.

Hope this helps.

Ps: I have come across some articles wherein owners report amplifiers to sound quite different after a recapping job. This is the case especially with NAD amplifiers wherein some users have reported that they sound muddy with increased booming bass. Although a lengthy and time consuming process, it is always advisable to recap stage by stage so if any changes crop up, the root cause can be easily identified. One has to also factor time for burn-in. I have known of some maverick technicians actually measuring capacitance of the old capacitors being replaced with the objective of ensuring that the replacement has the same capacitance value, ensuring the sound signature does not change. I have always preferred to go with the service manual and use the capacitance values prescribed by the OEM designers.

 

[rupy]

Actually this is a question that may require a slightly more detailed answer. To sum it up in a nut-shell, the difference between an expensive capacitor and a local one is generally around accuracy of capacitance and the ability to maintain the same capacitance over its life time and also overall tolerance.

If used regularly and under prescribed conditions, high quality capacitors have a much longer lifespan as well. From my personal experience with recapping amplifiers, one should be very careful about the choice of capacitor used in coupling circuits (in the signal path between two stages), filter capacitors in the power supply or at various points, across different stages in the amplifier and finally, if working on solid state amplifiers with a output coupling capacitor (between the output transistors and the speaker).

Technicians often refer to electrolytic capacitors when speaking about recapping assignments. However a prudent thing to do would be to check all capacitors during a recapping exercise. Some technicians who are detailed oriented, even check resistors for drifting values (especially with tube amps or with any equipment or appliance that gets hot, a good example being an induction cook top).

Capacitors available off the shelf at our friendly neighborhood electronic stores are usually inexpensive, look quite colorful and of course, measure up rather well when they are brand-new or in use for a short period of time. Whether they will be able to maintain the same performance over years, is where the problem is.

Hope this helps.

Ps: I have come across some articles wherein owners report amplifiers to sound quite different after a recapping job. This is the case especially with NAD amplifiers wherein some users have reported that they sound muddy with increased booming bass. Although a lengthy and time consuming process, it is always advisable to recap stage by stage so if any changes crop up, the root cause can be easily identified. One has to also factor time for burn-in. I have known of some maverick technicians actually measuring capacitance of the old capacitors being replaced with the objective of ensuring that the replacement has the same capacitance value, ensuring the sound signature does not change. I have always preferred to go with the service manual and use the capacitance values prescribed by the OEM designers.

Thank you Reubensm for such a detailed explanation.

 

[availlyrics]

Film caps of any type will always be superior to electrolytic caps. Back in those days , large value film caps were rare, expensive and bulky.
As for SQ, a normal person would find it difficult to detect any noticable audible differences, unless those elctro. caps have become leaky or developed high ESR.

 

[rupy]

Actually this is a question that may require a slightly more detailed answer. To sum it up in a nut-shell, the difference between an expensive capacitor and a local one is generally around accuracy of capacitance and the ability to maintain the same capacitance over its life time and also overall tolerance.

If used regularly and under prescribed conditions, high quality capacitors have a much longer lifespan as well. From my personal experience with recapping amplifiers, one should be very careful about the choice of capacitor used in coupling circuits (in the signal path between two stages), filter capacitors in the power supply or at various points, across different stages in the amplifier and finally, if working on solid state amplifiers with a output coupling capacitor (between the output transistors and the speaker).

Technicians often refer to electrolytic capacitors when speaking about recapping assignments. However a prudent thing to do would be to check all capacitors during a recapping exercise. Some technicians who are detailed oriented, even check resistors for drifting values (especially with tube amps or with any equipment or appliance that gets hot, a good example being an induction cook top).

Capacitors available off the shelf at our friendly neighborhood electronic stores are usually inexpensive, look quite colorful and of course, measure up rather well when they are brand-new or in use for a short period of time. Whether they will be able to maintain the same performance over years, is where the problem is.

Hope this helps.

Ps: I have come across some articles wherein owners report amplifiers to sound quite different after a recapping job. This is the case especially with NAD amplifiers wherein some users have reported that they sound muddy with increased booming bass. Although a lengthy and time consuming process, it is always advisable to recap stage by stage so if any changes crop up, the root cause can be easily identified. One has to also factor time for burn-in. I have known of some maverick technicians actually measuring capacitance of the old capacitors being replaced with the objective of ensuring that the replacement has the same capacitance value, ensuring the sound signature does not change. I have always preferred to go with the service manual and use the capacitance values prescribed by the OEM designers.

Thank you for all the details bro.

 

[rupy]

Film caps of any type will always be superior to electrolytic caps. Back in those days , large value film caps were rare, expensive and bulky.
As for SQ, a normal person would find it difficult to detect any noticable audible differences, unless those elctro. caps have become leaky or developed high ESR.

Thank you so much for all the help.