Any Problems with Hovland Musicaps?

[clm811]

Anyone on the forum ever heard of problems with the leads attachment on Hovland Musicaps?

-Chas

 

[jtsaudio]

Hi Chas!
What kind of "problems" are you referring to?

Joe

 

[kiwi_abroad]

I had one where the lead fell off, if that's what you are referring to. Ruined the cap of course.

 

[clm811]

Well,
I have a couple of Musicaps that, after mounting and then removing from test crossover boards, measure as "open" circuits.

I'm not sure how/why this occured, as I didn't subject them to rough handling; furthermore, the large Solen Fast Caps(also stranded leads) removed from the same mountings are fine. The Hovlands look fine, physically- they just don't work.

I was just wondering if anyone else has had or heard of similar problem(s)...

-Chas

 

[jtsaudio]

I've had no problems with the Hovlands myself, but have heard one or two stories about problems similar to yours.
Joe

 

[clm811]

I was interested in anyone else's first-hand experience, as I've read a few other anecdotal stories.

Anyway, I've returned the bad caps to the manufacturer and am awaiting replacement.

-Chas

 

[clm811]

Replacements received

The replacements came a few days ago and these new HOVLAND caps are great. One change I noticed is the new caps have red and green leads(the old ones were clear with a colored stripe) which have a better seal.

The resolution of fine detail and clarity is distinctly better than the SOLEN and AEON caps they replace in my crossover. Used with the VIFA XT25 bells have a sharp attack with a "glow" about their ring and cymbals have a delicate shimmer that doesn't sound like white noise anymore.

I can't imagine a better tweeter cap than these!

-chas