Better replacement for Wima MKS output caps?

[mtl777]

Hi, I'm looking to replace the Wima 0.1uF 250V output caps in my TubeDAC-09 with something better. The following series are available at Digikey:

Evox Rifa PHE850
Epcos MKP
Vishay/BC MKP 419
Panasonic ECQ or ECW
Nichicon XP or XT

What would be your top three choices out of these?

Also, would it be better to go for higher than 250V? Will there be a sonic improvement with using higher voltage caps?

Thanks!

[mtl777]

I hope someone could help me. I need to buy the parts real quick!

[oncle_tom]

What Wima is it? MKS2? MKS4?

Peter

[oncle_tom]

Go for Vishay/Roederstein MKT1822 or the Russian K-73 PEPT-Caps. Imho these Caps have no sound at all. MKP-Caps do add little colorations to the music, but this could be sometimes a nice thing.

Peter

[mjf]

QUOTE
Epcos MKP
Vishay/BC MKP 419
Panasonic ECQ or ECW
Nichicon XP or XT

What would be your top three choices out of these?
Also, would it be better to go for higher than 250V? Will there be a sonic improvement with using higher voltage caps?

hello.
mostly people change from mkt/mks to mkp......mee too.
a higher voltage rating can be a good thing......400v.....630v and so on......for safety. i cannot really answer if there is a sonic improvement......i would listen to it.
greets

[PMA]

Why would you think the WIMA MKS was bad??

[mtl777]

Originally Posted by oncle_tom

What Wima is it? MKS2? MKS4?

Thanks for replying!
The Wima is MKS4.

Originally Posted by oncle_tom

Go for Vishay/Roederstein MKT1822 or the Russian K-73 PEPT-Caps. Imho these Caps have no sound at all. MKP-Caps do add little colorations to the music, but this could be sometimes a nice thing.

Unfortunately those aren't available at DigiKey. The only 0.1uF Roederstein I could find are the MKP1839 HQ but these are too big and are axial (I need radial). I would like to order everything for this project at DigiKey to minimize shipping cost.

I'm curious about the Evox Rifa PHE840M. It is described as an "EMI suppressor, class X2, metallized polyproplylene" with DF of 0.002 at 10 KHz. I have heard great things about Rifa in this forum, but do these specs look like the PHE840M is good for audio? I know specs aren't everything, but...

Another option is the Vishay BC MMKP 383. It is an "AC and pulse double metallized polypropylene" with DF of 0.0005 at 10 KHz. It has a lower DF than the Rifa PHE840M, but I have not heard much about Vishay BC. Based on DF specs alone, it seems that the MMKP 383 is better. Do you think it is better indeed? Would you choose it over the PHE840M?

Originally Posted by mjf

mostly people change from mkt/mks to mkp......mee too.
a higher voltage rating can be a good thing......400v.....630v and so on......for safety.

Thanks, mjf! I have read modding advice to replace the Wima MKS in my DAC with some better ones but they did not specify the particular brand/series to replace it with. My research on the Web has led me to believe that MKP is better than MKS. Also, that a lower DF is better for audio, and the DF tends to go down as the voltage rating of a cap goes higher.

Originally Posted by PMA

Why would you think the WIMA MKS was bad??

It's not that it is bad (damaged). I just read some advice to replace it with something better.

[oncle_tom]

If the Epcos fits, go for them.

Peter

[mtl777]

Originally Posted by oncle_tom

If the Epcos fits, go for them.

Peter

Looks like the Epcos MKP will fit! Thanks!

One last question, and sorry for my ignorance: If you see a voltage marking like "250" on a Wima film cap, is that voltage AC or DC?

Thanks again!

[oncle_tom]

On Wima Caps there is normaly both. If there is only 250, then I think it's DC.

Peter