I have used 1.5uF X2 cap in my active speaker, not having compared directly, I would tend to say 2.2uF X2 cap is better. But I also do intend to do that on one channel of my active speakers.
I think it would be easier to raise board higher and just stick this on the bottom of the large filter caps. Since my power does not have those caps, I just put the 2.2uF X2 cap there using it's holes.
As far as I can judge right now, the new C4 value (also an X2 cap) + the 2.2uF in parallel are both necessary. However, the proper match will probably depend on the front end power supply. On my active speaker gainclone, 2.2uF was better than the 1.5uF, but I have not added a C4 value cap at the chip; but I do have snubbers on the active speaker. Seems like they may have to go.
The current MyRef mod now is better than my active speaker.
The current MyRef mod now is better than my active speaker.
The ones in my avatar. The Exaltation. Also my design. I have received comments that they (the early versions) are comparable to the Genelec 8030a, but I have personally not listened to the 8030a. The Exaltation had gone through some modifications improving transparency since then.
Just went through two speakers with this modified MyRef. Sounded good, but not transparent to my liking. One was a small Epos bookshelf, another was a Spendor floor standing two way. I was amazed how low the Spendor goes.
Just went through two speakers with this modified MyRef. Sounded good, but not transparent to my liking. One was a small Epos bookshelf, another was a Spendor floor standing two way. I was amazed how low the Spendor goes.
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C4 can be the original 100nF value, but it seems using a 250Vac X2 cap is much better. I have zeroed in on the same brand that came with the TP kit for C13.
I have one channel direct coupled, one channel with a Rel Cap bypassed with 0.01uF wima FKS. Cannot hear much difference.
I have one channel direct coupled, one channel with a Rel Cap bypassed with 0.01uF wima FKS. Cannot hear much difference.
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Are you still using the original parts?
If so you're still hearing a lesser My_Ref... in the first GB BOM (and in Mauro's one also) some components are not up to their role... impairing performance.
The most important ones are C12, C30, C32 (use film/foil caps like FKP2, FKS2, not metallized ones).
Use also a 10nF film/foil (FKS2 best) in C7.
You can further refine swapping C10 and C34 (use CDE silver mica, some other brands are horrible, like the ones marked SM)
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The sound of my MyRef mods is already MUCH better than the standard kit. I would not have beared with it if I did not believe there was more potential. But I do try to understand why each component make the difference it does, which is why I have taken a different route in modifications. For example people think the silver mica caps sound too bright, I personally think that normal film caps should work better; and between the channel with your values with wima film caps, I do not hear any meaningful difference between the original cap type and values after I had power supply cap changes. The only thing I suspect is the way LM3886 is grounded since the stability of this ground will effect sound stage presentation. I cannot think of any reason why the MyRef grounded the LM3886 that way.
Snubbers do have a positive impact on the MyRef, but I think the location of the snubbers need to be closest to the LM3886, so I am going to shift C4 to a different location to see if this solves some problems or not.
Snubbers do have a positive impact on the MyRef, but I think the location of the snubbers need to be closest to the LM3886, so I am going to shift C4 to a different location to see if this solves some problems or not.
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It depends a lot from the Manifacturer... I've some Indian caps that are too bright, those SM marked one too muffled and closed... CDE seems pretty balanced, also Soshin seems good.
I also prefer film caps but I can't find 22pF and 10pF values as film caps...can you?
C10 and C34 are a tiny refinement.
Do you have Wimas in C12, C30. C32? Those are the ones that makes difference.
Maybe, I do think that it sounds quite better grounded to PGND.
Did you finally tried them? Which values? Can you describe difference?
Thanks for the hint
But sadly they're available only as axial. They can be suitable for C10 but not for C34 since leads lenght is critical in that position.
Okay, I found a problem. The combination of C12 and R12 causes the input impedance to drop to less than one third of the assumed value at 20KHz. Whether you think this is a problem for you or not, please make your own judgement. In my opinion, the impedance should be as flat as possible across the audio frequency. Most interconnects causes a drop like this which is why I designed my own interconnects. I doubt that anyone will hear an improvement unless the interconnect has constant impedance across the audio range even though they changed C12 & R12.