Dear @salectric " No capacitors is perfect. "
YES, the best cap is no cap in the same way that the best fuse is no fuse and that's why I take out all the fuses input electrical power in my electronics. Yes, it makes a change for the better.
R.
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.
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- 58 posts total
Dear @devinplombier : I'm with you. No cap is totally neutral and electrolitic cap behavior is diffirent that the film ones. In the case offf my speakers that are really old/vintge ADS L2030 ( fantastic silk dome drivers in the tweeters and mid ranges,. ADS made its own drivers in all its speakers but the 2030 that were made in exculive for ADS by a Germany manufacturer. ) ) the crossover original caps for the woofers were an electrolitic ones ( 100uf. ) There are several alternatives coming from Sprague, Vishay, Kemet and the like . Instead I choosed film caps Wima MKP10 wired in parallel to achieve 100uf and performs better than ever but we have to consider that I'm talking of the bass frequency range where what you said you just can't be aware of it .. R. |
@rubjel , Tinned copper Duelands. The othere cap that is very organic but no longer made is the Jensen copper foil caps. Very organic sounding cap. Jensen was bought out by a conglomerate who discontinued these caps. As long as you are in there you can also take a look at the plate resistors on the input tubes. Most are either carbon or flame proof metal oxide used for reliability. I replaced them with higher wattage MiLLs wire wound audio grade. You will lower the noise floor a few db as well. |
Being an individual reintroduced to 300B Amp design in both PP and SE over the past two years and hearing designs with Interstage Tranx's and Coupling Cap's, the experiences had changed a long term dislike I harboured towards such a Valve Amp. I was left with an impression which resulted in my purchasing a 300B SE Amp'. Off Topic: With the now available options for myself to have experiences of different 300B Valves. There is now known a substantial difference is able to be produced within an End Sound when different Valve Brands are being used in a 300B Amp'. I am confident in the suggestion a lot can be achieved towards betterment of the End Sound when Valve Brands are also being considered. I am confident in the suggestion a lot can be achieved towards betterment of the End Sound when the Amplifier is mounted on pneumatic footers, and even more betterment is on offer if a Resin Impregnated Densified Wood Board is used as a Sub-Plinth for the Amp'. |
- 58 posts total