Maintaining the Aleph 0 Monoblocks

[paolofrancesco]

Greetings from London

This is really a question for anyone who has updated the capacitors etc on circa 1994 Aleph O Monos.

To quote Nelson

'The amplifier does not require any maintenance. While the design is conservative, this is a hard running amplifier, as single ended Class A operation is the least efficient operating mode. In fifteen years the electrolytic power supply capacitors will get old. Depending on usage, you will begin to have semiconductor and other failures between 10 and 50 years after date of manufacture. Later, the sun will cool to a white dwarf, and after that the universe will experience heat death.'

I haven't seen any white dwarfs, but I think the capacitors are probably approaching journeys end and have some questions

1. Is a circuit diagram available giving the necessary values for caps and semi conductors?
2. We are thinking of using Teflon Caps and does this step meet with the designer's approval?
3. Whilst the soldering iron is heating up should we also consider replacement of the semi-conductors or leave well alone?

Any advice gratefully received.

Paolo

[Zen Mod]

1. send e-mail to >sasica5@gmail.com<
2. why not ; yes ; even if I'm not designer
3. nope - just check all screws and condition of white thermal goo ; if needed, replace - with proper cleaning before applying new goo

[kotani]

Sorry if it's a bit late, but I am also an owner of a pair of Aleph 0. I wouldn't worry too much about replacing caps, but if I remember correctly, the transistors are matched before going in to the amp. I think replacing them will be a little difficult.
Also, I remember there being no caps in the signal path...

I hope I could be of some help...

[tiefbassuebertr]

check also this thread:
First version Aleph 0 (Null, ZERO, O, Os, 0s) versus later Aleph versions