Sourcing ASC 100uf X386S capacitor

[69CamaroSS396]

I'm looking to buy a pair of ASC motor run caps for my KT88 amp project. It calls for a 40uf and 100uf in the tube rectified PSU. The 40uf is readily available, but I haven't seen a 100uf version.

Are some builders paralleling caps to get the 100uf value?
My space is tight, so that really is a last resort for me.

The ASC X386S seems to be the overwhelming recommendation, but are there other run caps that are comparable? Is this an "audiophile" exaggeration to say the ASC is better sounding, or is there some basis in fact that backs this up. I'm not opposed to spending what I need to to get this circuit to sound as open and crisp and clean as possible(which is my goal), but also don't want to spend any $$$ on a bunch of useless hooey.

There are Sprague, GE, Packard, Aerovox, and numerous other brands of seemingly similar caps available in 100uf.

Should any be considered or avoided? Or should I just use a conventional film cap? If so, please explain why if you have the time.

Thanks, Greg

[dowdylama]

Seller 'machinery13' currently has a bunch of the 100 uf 370 vac ASCs on eBay.

[Gluca]

Me too, I am looking for them too.

Gianluca

the link

[69CamaroSS396]

I've looked at those and all his caps I see say they are Sprague. That was why I asked about Sprague and others specifically, to see if there really is a difference, or if the hype for ASC is just that...hype.

I distinctly remember somewhere reading someone's statement to the effect, "Make sure and buy ASC, not another brand". Something about the type of oil used maybe. Or it could be more complex than that.

Anyway, that's why I'm questioning.

[dowdylama]

I've got some similarly labeled 'CSC' caps here and they sound excellent to me.

I could be wrong, but I thought 'CSC' stood for Canadian Shizuki Corporation [ASC = American Shizuki Corp].

[pmillett]

"CSC" is "Commonweath Sprague Corp".

http://www.comsprague.com/

Looks like they just got bought by somebody (maybe their Mexican ODM), as their web page has been replaced...

"Commonwealth Sprague is a manufacturer and international marketer of AC capacitors and power quality/energy savings products for industrial markets. Our products include single phase AC capacitors for motor run, lighting, filtering, and general purpose applications as well as 3-phase power factor correction cells for use in power factor correction and harmonic filter assemblies.

In 1941, the Sprague Electric Company moved into its "Brown Street" facility in North Adams, Massachusetts. Over the next 45 years, the 153,000 square foot factory was developed into an advanced electrical products manufacturing facility.

In 2000, Commonwealth Sprague transitioned all manufacturing to Juarez Mexico, keeping the administration of the business in North Adams, MA. Our Mexican partners, Rapid Industries de Mexico, are certified to ISO9000 and QS9000 standards. Our products are manufactured under the same guidelines. "

Anyway... I have been using lots of the CSC caps. I think they are just fine.

Pete

[dowdylama]

Sorry for my confusion - in any case, the CSCs sound excellent!

[69CamaroSS396]

Thanks Mr. Millett!

Regards, Greg

[colivet]

http://www.machmat.com/sales/indexc.htm all the way at the bottom of the page. They'll end up costing you about $85.

[dweekie]

The "Made in Japan" ASC capacitors were the hyped up oil caps. They are very difficut to find. The current ASC caps are made in the USA or elsewhere and are not part of the hype.
As for sonic differences, I have no idea. Part of the argument for the Japanese caps were that they were non-magnetic, whereas most other caps are magnetic.