Capacitor modding... should the same brand caps be used throughout?

Dogpile · 10th October 2007, 07:37 AM

I'm upgrading the caps in my tube pre-amp with some teflon V-Caps and would like to use some MultiCaps (same values) as well... good or bad??

AndrewT · 10th October 2007, 07:49 AM

Hi,
no manufacturer makes the best caps in ALL categories/types.
Just like a frying pan manufacturer does not necessarily make good automobile tyres.

Swap around from manufacturer to find the poor combinations and better combinations.
It is MUCH more important to use the correct type of capacitor for each different duty.

hihopes · 11th October 2007, 06:56 PM

I would suggest that you start out buying a handful of decent quality, high voltage polypropylene caps and using them to bypass your existing caps. If space is not a problem, go for really high voltage caps (1600v/2000v snubber caps work well). Otherwise, you could end up spending a great deal of money on so-called audiophile caps and not like the results. Even if you still decide to go for high priced caps afterwards, you will still benefit in almost all cases from intelligent bypassing. Just remember, though, that you need to let caps run in before making any final decisions about them. Some caps can sound awful when new, but eventually smooth out and become winners. Just my 2c worth.

hihopes · 11th October 2007, 06:58 PM

Sorry, I didn't read your original question clearly. IMHO - good. Mix and match is my motto.

Dogpile · 12th October 2007, 12:58 AM

Hey cats... thanks for the suggestions and comments

diamondsouled · 12th October 2007, 01:15 AM

I'd go with mix and match as well.

The V caps are undoubtedly some of these best that you can buy but as with all caps they have their own character. Even with the V caps if they were used exclusively you might not like the results.

Russian K40Y caps are quite nice as well as affordable. You can also track down some Vitamin Q caps on Ebay if you like the sound of PIO caps. Same thing with them as well though, use a good quality film and foil as well as PIOs.

Film and foils generally out perform metalized polys.

Lar

zacster · 12th October 2007, 02:37 AM

You could also try Russian FT-3 teflon caps. Some people like them although I haven't tried them myself. These are pretty cheap for teflon. ebay to find them.

10th October 2007, 07:37 AM	#1
Dogpile diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toronto	Capacitor modding... should the same brand caps be used throughout? I'm upgrading the caps in my tube pre-amp with some teflon V-Caps and would like to use some MultiCaps (same values) as well... good or bad??

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10th October 2007, 07:49 AM	#2
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	Hi, no manufacturer makes the best caps in ALL categories/types. Just like a frying pan manufacturer does not necessarily make good automobile tyres. Swap around from manufacturer to find the poor combinations and better combinations. It is MUCH more important to use the correct type of capacitor for each different duty.

11th October 2007, 06:56 PM	#3
hihopes diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cape Town	I would suggest that you start out buying a handful of decent quality, high voltage polypropylene caps and using them to bypass your existing caps. If space is not a problem, go for really high voltage caps (1600v/2000v snubber caps work well). Otherwise, you could end up spending a great deal of money on so-called audiophile caps and not like the results. Even if you still decide to go for high priced caps afterwards, you will still benefit in almost all cases from intelligent bypassing. Just remember, though, that you need to let caps run in before making any final decisions about them. Some caps can sound awful when new, but eventually smooth out and become winners. Just my 2c worth.

11th October 2007, 06:58 PM	#4
hihopes diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cape Town	Sorry, I didn't read your original question clearly. IMHO - good. Mix and match is my motto.

12th October 2007, 12:58 AM	#5
Dogpile diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toronto	Hey cats... thanks for the suggestions and comments

12th October 2007, 01:15 AM	#6
diamondsouled diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2007	I'd go with mix and match as well. The V caps are undoubtedly some of these best that you can buy but as with all caps they have their own character. Even with the V caps if they were used exclusively you might not like the results. Russian K40Y caps are quite nice as well as affordable. You can also track down some Vitamin Q caps on Ebay if you like the sound of PIO caps. Same thing with them as well though, use a good quality film and foil as well as PIOs. Film and foils generally out perform metalized polys. Lar

12th October 2007, 02:37 AM	#7
zacster diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NYC	You could also try Russian FT-3 teflon caps. Some people like them although I haven't tried them myself. These are pretty cheap for teflon. ebay to find them.