Bypass Capacitors

noodle_snacks · 30th April 2006, 10:19 AM

What is the point of running a small value capacitor (say 0.01uf) in paralell with a larger cap, and what are the supposed benefits of doing this? If it is done what is the optimium value of cap to put in parallel?

Ryssen · 30th April 2006, 10:28 AM

I think it is that a smaller capacitor is faster than a big one,giving better treble details.I personaly use 0,1uf both in speakerfilters and as coupling cond. in amp,CD and more.

noodle_snacks · 30th April 2006, 10:46 AM

how is it faster? does it let the first bit of the signal (ie from a transient) through to the speaker more quickly than the big cap? Is there any measured data to show this?

gfinlayson · 30th April 2006, 11:00 AM

The only measured data I have is using my ears. Bypass caps work. I use the Vishay Roederstein MKP1837 0.01uF as recommended by Tony Gee. The difference in sound is not subtle by any means.

My empirical view is that the smaller cap probably allows faster transient response, and preserves low level detail better by being much smaller. I'd expect large caps to 'damp' the sound slightly due to their much larger plate area.

On the other hand of course, I could be talking out of my rear end.

Try them out and see for yourself.

http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html

Ryssen · 30th April 2006, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Is there any measured data to show this?

I didn´t measure anything I use my ears,I agree in what gfinlayson
says it works.

angchuck · 30th April 2006, 11:39 AM

http://www.northcreekmusic.com/Bypassing.html

lndm · 30th April 2006, 11:52 AM

Sometimes. I have heard good and bad stories here. I can't dispute anything, but I have had a bad run with bypassing.

I too often seem to encounter what sounds like a bad interaction between the two caps. It sounds like a resonance of some kind.

In short, follow specific advice about which caps to combine, or IMO just use quality single caps.

noodle_snacks · 30th April 2006, 11:54 AM

I will get some solen 0.1uf tin-foil caps since they are easily availible. I have to say however that that north creek music page just seems to be attempting to sell a whole bunch more capacitors to their customers more than anything else. I will let you know how things go, as well as to try and figure out some way to measure the difference in transient response (any ideas here)

lndm · 30th April 2006, 11:57 AM

Um, I think Eva is the expert here?

gfinlayson · 30th April 2006, 12:00 PM

I'd doubt there's a way to measure the improvement in transient response easily. Just ry it, and let your ears decide

30th April 2006, 10:19 AM	#1
noodle_snacks diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hobart, Tasmania	Bypass Capacitors What is the point of running a small value capacitor (say 0.01uf) in paralell with a larger cap, and what are the supposed benefits of doing this? If it is done what is the optimium value of cap to put in parallel?

30th April 2006, 10:28 AM	#2
Ryssen diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sweden--> Here	I think it is that a smaller capacitor is faster than a big one,giving better treble details.I personaly use 0,1uf both in speakerfilters and as coupling cond. in amp,CD and more. __________________ Regards Åke

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30th April 2006, 10:46 AM	#3
noodle_snacks diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hobart, Tasmania	how is it faster? does it let the first bit of the signal (ie from a transient) through to the speaker more quickly than the big cap? Is there any measured data to show this?

30th April 2006, 11:00 AM	#4
gfinlayson diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Aylesford, Kent, England	The only measured data I have is using my ears. Bypass caps work. I use the Vishay Roederstein MKP1837 0.01uF as recommended by Tony Gee. The difference in sound is not subtle by any means. My empirical view is that the smaller cap probably allows faster transient response, and preserves low level detail better by being much smaller. I'd expect large caps to 'damp' the sound slightly due to their much larger plate area. On the other hand of course, I could be talking out of my rear end. Try them out and see for yourself. http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html

30th April 2006, 11:39 AM	#6
angchuck diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Silly'pore	http://www.northcreekmusic.com/Bypassing.html

30th April 2006, 11:52 AM	#7
lndm diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: nsw	Sometimes. I have heard good and bad stories here. I can't dispute anything, but I have had a bad run with bypassing. I too often seem to encounter what sounds like a bad interaction between the two caps. It sounds like a resonance of some kind. In short, follow specific advice about which caps to combine, or IMO just use quality single caps.

30th April 2006, 11:54 AM	#8
noodle_snacks diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hobart, Tasmania	I will get some solen 0.1uf tin-foil caps since they are easily availible. I have to say however that that north creek music page just seems to be attempting to sell a whole bunch more capacitors to their customers more than anything else. I will let you know how things go, as well as to try and figure out some way to measure the difference in transient response (any ideas here)

30th April 2006, 11:57 AM	#9
lndm diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: nsw	Um, I think Eva is the expert here?

30th April 2006, 12:00 PM	#10
gfinlayson diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Aylesford, Kent, England	I'd doubt there's a way to measure the improvement in transient response easily. Just ry it, and let your ears decide

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