Aleph 5 PS capacitor choices? - Revisited

[dantwomey]

DISCLAIMER: Hopefully I'm following the proper forum procedure here.

I'm trying to blend two threads here to revisit my original thread of "Aleph 5 PS capacitor choices?" seen here:

Aleph 5 PS capacitor choices?

In light of an incredibly good deal on 68000uF caps as outlined in the following thread:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...868#post149868

I am now pondering the substiution of four of these 68000uf caps into Kristijan's Aleph 5 PS circuit that uses eight 22000uF caps.

My question is...... would the resulting 272,000uF per channel be a massive overkill? Is there any technical reason not to do this?

Regards,
Dan

[Peter Daniel]

I think it's hard to predict the results and not too many people on a forum will give you clear answer. If you have enough space in your amp, try to go with overkill option and then disconnect some caps and try if there is a difference. If it happens that it will sound better with less capacitance, you won't loose much if you bought the caps at $4.

More capacitance usually helps with bass response, yet might slow the sonics and higher frequencies might suffer with not enough detail or other defects.

[dantwomey]

Originally posted by Peter Daniel
I think it's hard to predict the results and not too many people on a forum will give you clear answer. If you have enough space in your amp, try to go with overkill option and then disconnect some caps and try if there is a difference. If it happens that it will sound better with less capacitance, you won't loose much if you bought the caps at $4.

More capacitance usually helps with bass response, yet might slow the sonics and higher frequencies might suffer with not enough detail or other defects.

Correct me here for what I believe I've read here before. The real Aleph 5 uses 90000uF total? Or, per channel? I can't remember.

Regards,
Dan

[Peter Daniel]

I think total. I used 56,000u per channel and it was fine. I had some hum, but don't know it was filtering or something else. Check Pass Labs site for schematic.

[dantwomey]

I like Kristijan's designs because they take the PS to the 'next level' by implementing a few things (i.e. chokes, etc.) that probably wouldn't be practical in a commerical product. I've read alot about the advantages of DIY and the main one I'm attracted to is the fact that since we're providing all the labour and expertise we can redirect the substantial savings into an 'improved product' by using better components and implement all the subtle improvements a commerical venture wouldn't have the time or energy for.

Regards,
Dan

[Peter Daniel]

It is true. I used only so many caps because I didn't have space for more. I already ordered this morning some of those 68,000caps. I think that 4 would be pretty much enough per channel especially if you plan on using chokes.

[dantwomey]

Originally posted by Peter Daniel
It is true. I used only so many caps because I didn't have space for more. I already ordered this morning some of those 68,000caps. I think that 4 would be pretty much enough per channel especially if you plan on using chokes.

Once again, if we follow Kristijan's design we see where these 68's would come in handy for a 1.2 clone.

http://web.vip.hr/pcb-design.vip/power-12.html

Regards,
Dan