"Sound" of Capacitors

[jan.didden]

...but what is this something to do? How does it influence transient????

Jan Didden

[fdegrove]

Hi,

How does it influence transient????

I suppose Jay's talking about the capacitor reactance?

Cheers,

[Nuuk]

Remember that there are two factors influencing the (possible) differences in the sound of components such as capacitors. They are electrical and mechanical.

We can't do much about the electrical factor but has anyone experimented with the mechanical? eg adding mass.

I have just removed 8 capacitors from the PSU for my GC buffer circuit.

The PSU had two stages of regulation using LM317/337 regs and I had read somewhere about adding some extra 220 uF caps to lower the noise from the regulators. Unfortunately, they only added some distortion and now I am wondering if this was because I used some very cheap caps that have been in my parts box for five or six years!

Still on the subject of 'do caps make a difference to the sound', it is always worth remembering that

2 + 3 +11 +1 +6 = 23 as does 5 + 10 + 2 + 6!

In other words, there are many combinations of numbers that arrive at the same total.

[Damon Hill]

Large amounts (relatively) of capacitance on 317
regulators may cause them to be unstable.

Slightly smaller amounts on the adj pin will improve
noise rejection; you'll need to see the application
notes.

[Nuuk]

Thanks Damon,

I added the 220 uFs after reading a review of regulator circuits (on TNT if I remember correctly).

I may do some more experimenting with 'fresher' caps of different values.

[carlosfm]

Originally posted by Nuuk
I added the 220 uFs after reading a review of regulator circuits (on TNT if I remember correctly).
I may do some more experimenting with 'fresher' caps of different values.

Try 100uf.

[Nuuk]

Try 100uf.

Any particular reason Mr Carlos?

[carlmart]

There's another very good option: Ansar capacitors.

http://www.cricklewoodelectronics.co...me.php?cat=155

They seem to be sold just by Cricklewood, but they come in up to 80uF and are 400v. For higher voltages (?) you can always do a series.

Kuei Yang Wang is probably listening and can comment about them.


Carlos

[carlosfm]

Originally posted by Nuuk

Any particular reason Mr Carlos?

No.
Just because I like and I use them.
Seams the right value for me, not too much, not too little.
100uf it is.
Anyway, it's the most common value I see on commercial products after an LM317/337.
I know this doesn't mean anything but...

Nuuk, just try it and tell us, it seams you have there a particularly sensitive circuit to test this, so...

[Nuuk]

Nuuk, just try it and tell us, it seams you have there a particularly sensitive circuit to test this, so...

Just for you Carlos, I will try the 100 uFs but you will have to wait until I have a big enough order as Farnell now have a minimum order of 20UKP

BTW Congratulations to Porto last night - now hand over your manager please