I did some subjective comparisons. Used a DC coupled B1 with doubled outputs. One left DC coupled, through the other I put capacitors. Made a 0.1uF by paralleling 3x33nF 50V C0Gs. I also used 0.1uF FT-2 USSR Teflon, Auricap, K75-10B USSR paper and polyethilene-terephtalate, Jensen PIO copper foil, SCR PP, SCR Tin foil, Wima MKP10, Wima FKP1, RS 1000V Film&Foil PP yellow radial. Just one same track and did a lot of A-B between caps and DC. Amp's input impedance is 120K, so the 0.1uF could work low enough in frequency. Wasn't trying to make any real conclusions, this is no seriously controlled situation, just wanted to have a general subjective impression of where the C0Gs could roughly stand OK among other signal capacitors or not. Well, I was left with the impression that they can. After DC and Teflon, they present a bit of vagueness and less depth resolution but still more open and tonally good than some PP or PIO. They aren't edgy at all, and they add a bit of enthusiasm in midbass and in the mid, they sound ''together'' though. Bass & treble a bit softer. Where layout size and budget are tight they are not going to embarrass. Still Teflon beats all.
lets get really stupid
I replaced the electrolytic input dc blockers on the preamps of my H182 organ with 10uf 50v Z5u ceramics.(Ceramics fit better than polystyrene). I liked the result of that so well (more treble, more bass than 40 year old electrolytics) that I replaced the 5 uf tantalum input caps on my Dynakit St120 amp with a Z5U ceramic. AB the record player, amp, and SP2 speakers, versus my own personal Steinway console piano, Peter Nero's Steinway (a grand) sounds better even on treble notes. He had studio reverb, I don't. But I'm really happy with the way the ST120 sounds after the DJoffe mod. Exactly equivalent to a Peavey CS800S built 1998, a split supply amp. Warning- my ears are highly trained but roll off after 15000 hz due to Army service. Mr John Curl now tells me this is a stupid decision because of distortion of high value ceramic Z5U caps. (see tail end of discussion solid state thread objective and subjective results of DC blocking caps in output of amps. )
I replaced the electrolytic input dc blockers on the preamps of my H182 organ with 10uf 50v Z5u ceramics.(Ceramics fit better than polystyrene). I liked the result of that so well (more treble, more bass than 40 year old electrolytics) that I replaced the 5 uf tantalum input caps on my Dynakit St120 amp with a Z5U ceramic. AB the record player, amp, and SP2 speakers, versus my own personal Steinway console piano, Peter Nero's Steinway (a grand) sounds better even on treble notes. He had studio reverb, I don't. But I'm really happy with the way the ST120 sounds after the DJoffe mod. Exactly equivalent to a Peavey CS800S built 1998, a split supply amp. Warning- my ears are highly trained but roll off after 15000 hz due to Army service. Mr John Curl now tells me this is a stupid decision because of distortion of high value ceramic Z5U caps. (see tail end of discussion solid state thread objective and subjective results of DC blocking caps in output of amps. )
I play the Hammond H182 really loud sometimes (40 W 7591 pair into 15" woofer, 7 w 6bq5 pair each into two 8" midrange speakers) that I think I would notice if these Aerovox SK55's were doing anything microphonic. I can hear no reverb on dead room baroque music on the ST120 - so I think the reverb on RCA Peter Nero "Warm and Wonderful" is a studio effect. The electronic piano sounds better than my real one- as probably his $30000 piano is better than my $2000 one. But on treble not that much. Buy a couple of Aerovox Sk055 10 uf's from Farnell in UK and try them- Z5u's are $7, CPO's +-10% are $17. Or stop by Jville indiana and take a listen - it is only 10000 miles and two airport screenings away. I am tasked with buying some polyprophylene and listening by Mr. Curl - if I can make them fit. No more tantalums for me, please.
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