Orange Drop alternatives?

slowpogo · 15th January 2007, 04:50 AM

Another question for you all, I'm really glad I found this place, and I appreciate all the info.

I upgraded the cheap crap capacitors in my Fender tube amp with Orange Drop 716's. The tone is improved, but I'm agreeing with those who say Orange Drops can be "harsh." The high end is definitely a little grating.

Is there an economical alternative to Orange Drops that would be approximately the same quality, a little warmer but not as harsh, while maintaining some high end sparkle? I don't want to go overboard with $10 audiophile caps like Hovland or anything. Also, radial leads are a plus, as the PCB is pretty cramped.

SY · 15th January 2007, 10:59 AM

Wima MKP2 or MKP10.

RenegadeAmps · 17th January 2007, 07:29 PM

What model amp is it? There may be more to the harshness than the cap type. (oh and what speaker are you using?)

I'm a big Mallory 150 fan myself, Sy's recommendation for Wimas is a good one too.

I don't care for 716 series Orange Drops I do like the 715 series though. (except for their physical size)

Panasonic Polypropylene caps from Digi-Key have proven to very, very nice in the few amps that I've built with them.

jackinnj · 17th January 2007, 09:04 PM

fwiw, you can get Wima's (in the States) from Mouser and Future Electronics.

slowpogo · 18th January 2007, 03:18 AM

It's a Fender Pro Jr. I've actually done a fair amount of work on it, and at this point it's no longer a decent "toy" tube amp and more of a serious instrument, in my mind. I've upgraded the output transformer, electrolytics, plate resistors, some mods to reduce hum, a lot of stuff. Basically it sounded pretty nice leaving four of the caps as stock, but I got to thinking, anything better than 25-cent IC caps could only help the sound. So I put the Orange Drops in, and the tone was fuller and improved in some ways, but also harsh in the high end, somehow overly defined.

Oh, and the speaker is a vintage '55 Jensen P10R. It used to sound overly warm if anything, but the Orange Drops changed that.

I'll try the Mallorys and Wimas next. Thanks guys...

15th January 2007, 04:50 AM	#1
slowpogo diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2007	Orange Drop alternatives? Another question for you all, I'm really glad I found this place, and I appreciate all the info. I upgraded the cheap crap capacitors in my Fender tube amp with Orange Drop 716's. The tone is improved, but I'm agreeing with those who say Orange Drops can be "harsh." The high end is definitely a little grating. Is there an economical alternative to Orange Drops that would be approximately the same quality, a little warmer but not as harsh, while maintaining some high end sparkle? I don't want to go overboard with $10 audiophile caps like Hovland or anything. Also, radial leads are a plus, as the PCB is pretty cramped.

15th January 2007, 10:59 AM	#2
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	Wima MKP2 or MKP10. __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
0B3 Glows Orange	Rob11966	Tubes / Valves	26	4th June 2009 10:07 PM
TONS of Orange Drop caps just put for sale 1600DC. 2000DC, 600V starting 99centsTONS	Audio Chicago	Vendor's Bazaar	0	28th November 2008 09:32 PM
Orange drop types/sound	lndm	Parts	3	20th March 2006 03:46 AM
Orange Capacitors...Please Help	rider	Solid State	1	25th June 2004 05:25 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

17th January 2007, 07:29 PM	#3
RenegadeAmps diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2006	What model amp is it? There may be more to the harshness than the cap type. (oh and what speaker are you using?) I'm a big Mallory 150 fan myself, Sy's recommendation for Wimas is a good one too. I don't care for 716 series Orange Drops I do like the 715 series though. (except for their physical size) Panasonic Polypropylene caps from Digi-Key have proven to very, very nice in the few amps that I've built with them.

17th January 2007, 09:04 PM	#4
jackinnj diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Llanddewi Brefi, NJ	fwiw, you can get Wima's (in the States) from Mouser and Future Electronics.

18th January 2007, 03:18 AM	#5
slowpogo diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2007	It's a Fender Pro Jr. I've actually done a fair amount of work on it, and at this point it's no longer a decent "toy" tube amp and more of a serious instrument, in my mind. I've upgraded the output transformer, electrolytics, plate resistors, some mods to reduce hum, a lot of stuff. Basically it sounded pretty nice leaving four of the caps as stock, but I got to thinking, anything better than 25-cent IC caps could only help the sound. So I put the Orange Drops in, and the tone was fuller and improved in some ways, but also harsh in the high end, somehow overly defined. Oh, and the speaker is a vintage '55 Jensen P10R. It used to sound overly warm if anything, but the Orange Drops changed that. I'll try the Mallorys and Wimas next. Thanks guys...

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)