Coupling capacitor selection

[DcibeL]

Hi,
I am currently working on my second amplifier project, consisting of Twisted Pear Audio kits: Mauro's My_Ref rev.C and the kookaburra. The amp and preamp is being built with the parts kit sold by Twisted Pear Audio, apart from the 1W resistors have been replaced with 2W 2% NTE "flameproof" resistors.

I have searched through various threads, and it seems as though there are a lot of different preferences to coupling capacitor choice. The My_Ref kit comes with Wima MKS4 1.0uF 63V coupling caps, but I also have some Solen MKP-FC 2.2uF 250V caps I could use.

Not taking the size difference into account, since I'm sure it has a slight effect on sound, what is your preference? A polyester or a polypropelyne coupling cap? I will be testing both types once the amp is complete, I am just wondering what to expect.

Thanks.

[Tweeker]

As a rule of thumb, polypropylene is preffered to polyester.

[dsavitsk]

Here are some of my impressions: http://www.ecp.cc/cap-notes.html

[DcibeL]

Thanks for your comments. I think I shall use the Solen caps, and maybe start shopping for this "Vitamin Q" type capacitor.

[DcibeL]

After using the Solen coupling caps for a month, and very much enjoying the sound, I tried bypassing them with Vitamin Q capacitors. Solen 2.2uF 250V MKP "fast cap" were bypassed with 0.1uF Sprague 300VDC Vitamin Q capacitors.

After listening with these caps installed for over a week now, I don't like them. They've taken some of the "life" out of the amp. For those who like a warmer, smoother sound might like these caps, but for me I feel that the detail or the "life" has been removed. I know it is hard to describe a sound in words, but my verdict is that I am sticking with the Solen caps and am not going to mess around with it anymore.

[Andrea:]

Originally Posted by DcibeL

After using the Solen coupling caps for a month, and very much enjoying the sound, I tried bypassing them with Vitamin Q capacitors. Solen 2.2uF 250V MKP "fast cap" were bypassed with 0.1uF Sprague 300VDC Vitamin Q capacitors.

After listening with these caps installed for over a week now, I don't like them. They've taken some of the "life" out of the amp. For those who like a warmer, smoother sound might like these caps, but for me I feel that the detail or the "life" has been removed. I know it is hard to describe a sound in words, but my verdict is that I am sticking with the Solen caps and am not going to mess around with it anymore.

Hahhhhaaa! The Solen's are great, aren't they! So transparent, crisp, pacey... "fast" indeed! And with very good tonal transparency. So much for anyone who tried to knock 'em down.

[Andrea:]

BTW, I'm using the same value of 2.2uF 250V. Awesome coupling caps, and impressively better than the Wima MKS2.

[DcibeL]

This sure is an old thread! I generally just stay away from the cap and cable discussions these days. But since we're here...for amplifier coupling I've moved away from the Solen caps to Epcos MKP. Check PN 495-2940-ND at Digikey (I'm fairly certain this is what I've purchased previously). They are inexpensive and very good. Recommended.

I really just used the Solen caps because that's what I had on hand at the time (left overs from crossover build). They do the job quite well anyway, but I really like the Epcos.

[Andrea:]

Originally Posted by DcibeL

They do the job quite well anyway, but I really like the Epcos.

I agree... quite well indeed. Can you compare and contrast them?

[Andrea:]

Do you mean this, BTW?

Epcos | Passivi | Condensatori | Condensatori film plastico | Radiale 100°C |B32654A3225K