Can someone help please

[Ken Pachkowsky]

Need some help guys.

I just purchased a Klark Teknik DN800 4-way active crossover for my Westlake HR1's.

They are currently setup to cross at:
100HZ/1.5K/8K

I am changing them to:
250Hz/1K/4.5K

I want to use high quality caps. I have since learned this can be very expensive indeed.

The boards currenty have Evox MMK 100V caps installed. By the way, 4 boards are used for creating crossover points. To change to the above will require swapping aprox 110 caps and resistors on the 4 boards.

I have already purchased the required resistors and am using Holco H4's 1/2 watt metal film 3.3k, 6.8k and 5.6k.

I have also purchased Reliable Capacitor Multicaps PPMFX's in three values so far. They are:

.0027uf 600V X 2 ( I got a good deal on these 600V Caps)
.0047uf 600V X 11 ( But dont have to use them)
.01uf 600V X 2

I still require the following:

.1uf X 5
.068uf X 10
.033uf X 11
.047uf X 10
.47uf X6

As you can see, I require quite a few.

Question #1

Is it ok to be using the 600V caps instead of 100V and can they be mixed in terms of voltage? Me thinks may not be good idea?

Question #2

Can someone suggest another brand that would give me great performance in this application without breaking the bank. I would like to keep the parts cost under 200.00 bucks.

Although a serious audio buff for over 30 years. I have always let others figure this stuff out. I must admit, I am enjoying learning this side of things.

Thanks Guys

I appreciate your help.

[moamps]

Originally posted by Ken Pachkowsky
Is it ok to be using the 600V caps instead of 100V and can they be mixed in terms of voltage? Me thinks may not be good idea?
[/B]

Hi:
Important capacitor characteristics for crossovers are:
- capacitor type (MKT is a standard)
- tolerance (5% is OK)
- dimension - in your case (I don't think that you can put 470nF/400 or 600V on your boards)

Different nominal voltage isn't problem here. Any with 63V or so will be OK.

Can someone suggest another brand that would give me great performance in this application without breaking the bank. I would like to keep the parts cost under 200.00 bucks.

I think that this crossover uses standard OPAMPS (like 072 or 5542). Fitting here expensive audiophile caps wouldn't result in so better sound. Use standard MKT or MKP caps Wima, Roe ......

Regards

[Ken Pachkowsky]

Thanks for your reply. The oP amps used are TL074CN's. I am not sure if this makes a difference?

Could you explain just a little further why audiophile type caps and resistors would not be needed for this crossover?

Ken

[Ken Pachkowsky]

Moamps

I just noticed there is a mixture of both 074's and 072's.

Thanks

[moamps]

Originally posted by Ken Pachkowsky
[B]Thanks for your reply. The oP amps used are TL074CN's. I am not sure if this makes a difference?

Hi,
It's same, 074 is quad 071, 072 is double 071.

Could you explain just a little further why audiophile type caps and resistors would not be needed for this crossover?

Changing standard 5%metalloxid with Holco 1% nonmagnetic is OK only because smaller tolerance of Holco's. But, overall sounds quality is depending of all resistors in audio chain; in input buffer, crossovers, limiters, eq's, output amps.
Caps in crossover must have tight tolerance (5% or better) and reasonably good sound what standard EVOX or some another brand caps have. Changing crossover caps without changing caps in input and output stage is waste of money, IMO.

Regards

[pinkmouse]

Ken

How did you come up with those crossover frequencies?

[Ken Pachkowsky]

I appreciate your reply. I have contacted Evox/Riva directly and ordered all required caps.

One other question. I have another 4-way crossover that has developed a scratchy noise on both channels (mid bass band is source I think) (Could also be the noise is strongest within this frequency band). The scratchy sound is best described as the sound of a pin or nail being dragged across a speaker cone and amplified. Gain on the pre-amp has no effect on the volume of the noise. I suspect a bad cap, op amp or resistor in the crossover? This is the Westlake HRX that came with the HR1's.

Any suggestions on where to start?

Ken

[Ken Pachkowsky]

Klark Teknik was kind enough to supply me the required software program to do the calculations for the DN800.

The Crossover points are the same as I have on the Westlake HRX 4-way that came with my HR1's.

The HRX is a fantastic crossover but many of the electronic components used to manufacture it are proprietary and very difficult to find. I am going to use the Klark as a backup and attempt to rebuild the HRX myself. I have been collecting parts for over a year and am almost ready.

Westlake wants 4000.00 to upgrade my HRX to there newly designed boards. I use this as my home hi-fi system and simply can't justify the cost to my wife. She has been more than understanding alowing the HR1's into our living room.

Ken

[pinkmouse]

Ken,

I must admit, I always found the KT tech support to be very good, so it sounds like you have a reasonable plan for your upgrade process.

I have never heard the Westlakes, but wern't they tied into JBL at some point?

I must admit, sometimes it's very nice to be single, and just be able to do what you want and spend money on interesting stuff without worrying about looks and SAF.

However, it does just about guarantee staying single...

[Ken Pachkowsky]

Yes, the waf is always a consideration in these things. I must admit though, she has been very good.

Yes, JBL drivers are used extensively in Westlake designed systems. Meyer uses JBL as well.

The HR1 was their flagship for many years. Damned expensive at 40 grand a pair. The HRX crossover is over 10,000.00. simply insane but you should here them. They are truly amazing.

I will post some photo's

Ken