2. tech-talk
  3. 119278-15013

Upgrading coupling caps - which ones first?

I have been experimenting with different coupling caps on the output of my amp.  I now want to try some more expensive caps (Vcap, etc), but cannot afford to replace every coupling capacitor in my system.  Therefore I want to place the best capacitors where they will make the most difference.

For each channel of my amp, I have one coupling cap between the driver and phase splitter stages, and a pair between the phase splitter and output tubes.  There are also output coupling caps on my DAC that feeds the amp which I am thinking about upgrading as well.  Which ones benefit the most from an upgrade that should be targeted first?
solman989
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

They all have their own set of colourations, that’s why I always maintain the best cap is NO cap, as NONE are totally transparent.

I strive to get the whole system dc coupled from d/a convertor outputs all the way to the amp speaker outputs, bass driver included. The only cap is in the passive xover for my ESL’s and after much listening to different ones, that’s a top of their line PA Series Metallized Polypropylene Solens cap.

Cheers George

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Sorry those Solen caps I used were the " Silver Metallized Polypropylene" Pricey but not too bad, boutique makers buy these and re-badge them sometimes and charge triple the $'s.  

http://solen.ca/product-category/capacitors/silver-metallized-polypropylene-capacitors/

Cheers George      

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
The Mundorf caps are not in the same league as the Jupiter or Duelund in any important sonic attribute. However, they do need at least 150 hours of burn in. Mundorf are good mid tier caps, but lack the natural musicality of the top tier Jupiter and Duelund after burn in. 
More to discover