Krell

Sounds like a electrolytic power supply capacitor - sincerely doubt if you have anything to worry about, if installed originally by Krell I'm sure they meet spec. most of these come in standard values and sizes from many different manufactures.

Mechans the capacitor shootouts you are referring too are about capacitors for speaker crossovers and maybe coupling capacitors etc for tube amps and the best of them can be found here.

capacitortest

As always

Good Listening

Peter

Granny

I'd love to have you in a double blind test on PS capacitors in a power amplifier - large electrolytic ones - if you can tell any difference from a Cornell to a Mallory to a United Chemicon, Rifa, or any other reputable manufacture and repeat your findings - well then your ears are with out a doubt golden.

Good listening,

Peter

Audiofeil,

Thanks for the compliment -

Good listening

Peter

Granny,

I get that one can tell a difference between wires , interconnect and speaker cables that is - power cords - well - if of decent gauge and with quality connectors - then not so much. I can certainly also agree that proper mechanical isolation of components is important, and yes stuff breaks in.

I'd put power supply capacitors right up there with my take on power cords i.e.. if they are of good quality and properly installed then I doubt if anyone would be able to tell a difference between a blue one and a black one, never mind how golden eared one are.

Good listening

Peter

Audiofail

I'm in absolute agreement !

Good Listening

Peter

Granny,

First thanks for keeping this a civil discussion of opinions unlike others that have chimed in on this thread.

I took a look at your earlier posts and reviews and it appears that you favor tubed equipment where in some cases the power supply caps are the only "regulation" in the power supply, and I'll agree that capacitors can sound different in this case.

In my own designs which are all solid state with heavy regulation in the power supplies - just like the original poster's case with the Krell Amplifier - I sincerely doubt that there will be any sonic difference if similar spec capacitors from two different manufactures are used.

As far as power cords are concerned I have not experienced much difference as long as the cords are of proper gauge and are terminated with quality connectors, and before spending serious $ on power cords I'd make sure that whats in front of the cord is taken care of first. Dedicated lines, etc. In most cases this will cost less than many of the high $ power cords and it will have a much greater positive effect than the last 5 feet of wire feeding the equipment.

As always, Good listening

Peter

Granny,

When you replaced the capacitors on your two solid-state pieces, did you use a equivalent capacitor or a better one. If equivalent, and an improvement in sound - then you replaced a older dried out one with one that was up to spec and therefore got better sound. I you used a better one - high temperature - lower ripple - higher capacitance etc. in combination with replacing a old dried up one no longer to spec - well then of course you get better sound.

The OP was "disappointed" that he had a mixture of blue and black capacitors- what I have been trying to communicate that if the blue cap and the black cap have the same specs but are from different manufactures there will be no difference in sound.

As always - good listening.

Peter