Output capacitor for Zen v4

[frags]

I'm stuck trying to choose output capacitor for zen v4. I'm considering the
following options:
1. Single cap Nichicon FW (Audio) 10000uF
2. Single cap Panasonic TSHA 10000uF
3. 20 caps Panasonic FM 560uF in parallel
Which options will be the best? Or I should find something like Jensen or Elna.
Please help.

[Magura]

A nice big PP film cap will do, as in 50uF+

....add a Rifa PEH-169 of say 680uF, and you're at the top.


Magura

[Bigun]

Or make one - this is DIY

DIY Capacitors

[frags]

Magura,
This is not that advise I expected to get but thanks anyway.

I'm not trying to be "at the top". I'm trying to get a decent sound using components I can easily get for affordable price (most of them from digikey). As well it should fit the amplifier case.

Some people say that connecting two electrolytes with back-to-back can give pretty good "film-like" capacitor with high capacitance. I'll try two Nichicon KZ.

[Magura]

Originally Posted by frags

Magura,
This is not that advise I expected to get but thanks anyway.

I'm not trying to be "at the top". I'm trying to get a decent sound using components I can easily get for affordable price (most of them from digikey). As well it should fit the amplifier case.

Some people say that connecting two electrolytes with back-to-back can give pretty good "film-like" capacitor with high capacitance. I'll try two Nichicon KZ.

This suggestion is CHEAPER! than your own, and sure either digikey has such, or the local electro-mechanic sure does.

EDIT: Regarding size, this is also not gonna break the deal. Look up the data-sheets, and you'll see.

Heck, we are talking 30 usd or so.


Magura

[frags]

Magura,

Are you suggesting to replace 10000uF cap with 50uf PP and 680uf Rifa?
For me it looks like the total capacitance will be too low to drive 8Ohm load.

And where can I get that Rifa PEH-169?

[Magura]

Originally Posted by frags

Magura,

Are you suggesting to replace 10000uF cap with 50uf PP and 680uf Rifa?
For me it looks like the total capacitance will be too low to drive 8Ohm load.

And where can I get that Rifa PEH-169?

Capacitance will be just fine. This is tried and tested.

If you can't find the Rifa's elsewhere, I still have a few.

Magura

[frags]

Magura,
I have Nichicon FW (Audio) 10000uF. Will it be good enough if I just add 60uf PP cap
like this http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...me=495-3003-ND ?

Thanks.

[Magura]

Originally Posted by frags

Magura,
I have Nichicon FW (Audio) 10000uF. Will it be good enough if I just add 60uf PP cap
like this http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...me=495-3003-ND ?

Thanks.

I see no reason why not.


Magura

[MRupp]

Originally Posted by Magura

....add a Rifa PEH-169 of say 680uF, and you're at the top.

Surely you must be joking. Just calculate the reactance of 680 µF at, say, 20 Hz and the question answers itself. Off course, the ZEN V4 has feedback and that will correct the frequency response to an extend, but ...

Also, I am led to believe that the distortion of the cap will increase with lower frequencies so at the bottom end it is a good idea to have some margin, if at all err on the high side of capacitance.

That said, the big RIFA caps and - probably even better - the big Epcos SIKOREL caps should be an excellent choice. Compared to the snap-in caps they have much lower series inductance and thus a higher resonant frequency. Many small caps in parallel are even better in that respect, but you need to add the trace inductance and must take care that they share the current. To minimise this the best way is to use two copper planes on your PCB, i.e. a + and a - plane and have all caps connect to the same planes. Not sure if that explains itself but take a look at chapter 4 "Series and parallel connections" in the following capacitor application guide: http://www.evoxrifa.com/electrolytic...c_appguide.pdf

I cannot comment on any possible sonic differences as I have not tried options yet but I am at least planning on using multiple paralel caps on my next amp (F3 ?) whereas my current V4 has just one big snap-in type Vishay cap and a bypass of 10 µF.

Just my 2 cents