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AirTight ATM-300 - new Coupling Caps

So I want to replace the coupling caps in my Airtight 300B amp. The original ones are $5 Sprague orange drops. 0,1uF interstage caps between input tube (12AU7) and driver tube (12BH7A) and 0,47uF between driver tube and 300B.

I love the amplifier, it is very resolving and airy with great soundstage separation. However I miss some body and fullness, and tighter bass, hope new coupling caps can help with this. I like a natural sound with lots of body and texture, good detail and a tight and deep low end.

I have read alot of forum posts and narrowed my choices down to these 3;

Duelund CAST cu sn tinned copper

Jupiter copper foil paper and wax

V-cap ODAM

I have read that some capacitors are best used in lower voltage applications and others are better in higher voltage applications, so I am open to using different brands in interstage/300B coupling. 

Please share your experiences, impressions and recommendations. Not necessarily with the Airtight, but preferably used as a coupling cap.

rubjel
rubjel OP
16 posts
 

@viridian I'll just put the original caps back in if that's an issue.

Was hoping to get more response related to my question.

My impressions after reading here and other forums;
V-Cap ODAMS; detailed and neutral but some find it a bit thin? Also reported to sound quite different in high/low voltage situations.

Jupiter copper foil; Organic, detailed with alot of texture and body. 

Duelund cast cusn; the top choice for speaker XO. I think @grannyring mentioned it might be to bright in electronics?

Someone also said it lacks bass when used as coupling cap.

Have looked at HumbleHomemadeHifi, but he only used the caps in speaker crossovers.

logistics
63 posts
 

I second @rauliruegas comment about the WIMA's.  I installed 1.0uF MKS 02's in my audio interface and it sounded like an entirely new unit.  But I was going from electrolytics to films, whereas you already have films, correct?

rauliruegas
13,351 posts
 

Dear @logistics  : Anyway the best film caps are the standard in the industry ( not only audio but medical instrument,     aerospace military industry, automotive and the like ) Wima and inside Wima  catalog the FKP1 are the best ones and way way better that those boutique: Duelund, Jupiter, Mundorf, V-caps and the like. The knowledge levels in this issue in the OP is to low and well he will go for those bs of caps.

 

R.

devinplombier
1,651 posts
 

@rubjel 

My suggestion to you is to purchase two more AirTight ATM-300s and recap each one with, respectively, Duelund CAST cu sn tinned copper, Jupiter copper foil paper and wax, and V-cap ODAM, and conduct rigorous A/B/C listening sessions. Only this way can you pick a winner with any semblance of objectivity.

This is actually interesting; please be sure sure to come back and report your findings.

Or, you can listen to the advice of @rauliruegas who, if I’m not mistaken, has credentials and experience reaching far, far beyond any of the sources you say you’ve used in your research thus far. What you ultimately decide is, of course, your choice.

Good luck, and Happy Listening! 

 

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