life span/failure rate of filter capacitors?

Well, whatever I suppose. Are you going to replace to caps? If so, I think you could go nicely upscale for a nice uplift, anything in mind?

ok, I read the post, that is quite a bit different. Backfiring amp! lol Good thing you don't have one in that kind of shape!

So all of this is based on an anecdotal 'exploding cap' experience from some dude?.. I've embraced capacitors as a topic across audio enthusiasts; the mystery around them, the (at times) compulsion to replace, the continual attribution of any technical or sound issue towards capacitors - it's an interesting mental phenomenon, reminds me a bit of UFO and alien stories. First off, I probably don't believe the exploding cap story, maybe, but I'd bet against it happening. I've seen guys mistake common glue as leaky caps continually - they don't know what they're looking at. Large power caps, probably not too far out of spec would be my bet, and if the amp gets that hot continually it might signify another issue. The higher the temp rating, the less 'audiophile' the cap usually. I agree with the poster above there are far more important caps to focus on - filter, but also the many across signal, and usually always good practice to see where you can replace with film wherever possible. It's the small ones which fall out of spec, have a direct impact to signal while in the path, and have the most improvement to sound quality when replaced/upgraded.  

No, I’d bet something happened. A mod gone wrong, there is something missing. Anyway, I think it could be universally agreed that type of outcome is significantly unlikely in any normal scenario. Some other poster suggested rectifiers, there is something very abnormal with the power, it's along those lines, I'd put money on your amp being fine until you want another brand/type..

Or it could be a strange individual making up stories for forum entertainment.

ClarityCap makes one in their TC range. I use Mundorf wherever I can.

http://www.claritycap.co.uk/products/tc.php