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.
@salectric I read an older post on audioasylum where you seemed to be quite disappointed with the Duelund Cast tinned copper cap. Would you mind sharing your thoughts about this capacitor, why did it disappoint you? Also I would love to hear your impressions of the Audio Note copper foil that you recommended :) |
@rubjel It’s been 5 or 6 years since I last compared Duelund CAST to Copper V-Caps, too long for me to recall details accurately. But I was definitely disappointed by the Duelunds, in both electronics and speaker crossovers. However, people have different tastes and what sounds good to one person may not to another. That’s why I try to avoid posting about such topics these days. I know what I like and what I don’t like, but that may not translate to other people who do not share the same priorities. My only advice is to try different caps and reach your own conclusions. It takes time and can get expensive but that’s the only way. Getting into circular discussions like some posts in this thread (not yours) is rather pointless. |
@johnss thanks for your suggestion about replacing the plate resistors on the input tubes, I will definitely look into it! @salectric I know you are right about the subjectivity part, I still value your opinion. I think I will start off with the smaller interstage caps, since they will be cheaper. I will get a pair of Vcap ODAM and a pair of either Duelund or Jupiter and compare them. |
Dear @rubjel Yes,sneak oils are the best in electronics. Several audiophiles use themso have to be good ones.
Stay tunned. R. |
