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upgrading speaker crossovers

I have a pair of PSB Stratus Gold'is and I am thinking of upgrading the crossovers, I am going to try this before I think about buying new speakers., which are in the area of $10000. The crossover in a speaker consists of 1-2.5mf 440vac film and 1- 6mf 440vac film by RC. then I have 4 100mf 100vac electrolytics. Why are the elecrolytics there, is this because of cost? I would much rather put in polys in their place, which will cost me $30.00 each. So my question is are the elecrolytics there because of cost issues if so can I change them to ploys?

My equipment consists of conrad johnson PV14l tubed preamp and a conrad johnson MF2500 amp. Both are right now at cj to be upgraded, the preamp is also getting teflon caps. I also have a pair of Mirage M1;s that I have upgraded with SI tweeters and Woofers. Must have gotten the last ones from them because now they will not even talk to you about the speaker when you call.

Anyway any advise on upgrading the crossovers would be greatly appreciated.
jchristilles

Showing 2 responses by david12

david12
1,454 posts
 
Why would it not be just a matter of slinging a higher grade cap into the crossover. if the values are the same, shouldnt they electrically do the same thing and then its just a matter of the better cap doing the same thing better?

you would think so and I'm sure any upgrade would have some benefit. Just reporting what Lou at Daedalus found in practice, that fine tuning brings added benefit. We all know there are real differences in the sinature of caps, regardless of quality.
david12
1,454 posts
 
It makes an enormous difference. There is a very good range of Scottish speakers called Art. In their better ranges they offer each speaker in 3 grades of crossover, useing high grade capacitors and silver wire etc. You are quite literally, listening to a different speaker. The cost difference is enormous too. The Deco 10 goes from £10000 to £20000 with the upgrades. I queried the cost with a dealer, who said there is 40pounds weight of high grade silver alone in the crossovers.

Lou over at Daedalus Audio, is offering upgraded crossovers on his speakers. I have'nt compared them side to side, but those that have say there is a big difference. A word of warning, I dont think it is a matter of slinging any higher grade cap into the crossover. I am sure Lou spent months trying different capacitors by ear, before he made the change.
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