What Cap Is This?

[Monjul]

Hi all.

This is the internals of a 15-20 year old Cary amp. Can anyone tell me what the purpose is of the yellow Kimber cap acrooss the filter cap (reduce ripple, I assume?)? Should this be changed considering it's age and does it contribute in any way to the sound of the amp? If I change the cap out, any recommendations as to what I should purchase?

Also, should I replace the two 220uf 100v electros in the pic? I was thinking about going with some Elna's here but won't consider it if it might be a waste of time and money. Thanks.

PS- I was in the middle of changing the coupling caps to Mundorf Silver/Gold's when I took the picture which is why they are missing. I decided against oil caps because of the reliability issues I've been hearing about especially when subjected to a lot of heat and this includes the Mundorf Silver/Oil. The Silver/Golds, btw, sound phenomenal with only about 30-35 hours burn in. Definately worth $21.74 each!

[Arnulf]

Originally Posted by Monjul

Can anyone tell me what the purpose is of the yellow Kimber cap acrooss the filter cap (reduce ripple, I assume?)?

Yes, to filter out higher frequency noise where electrolytics are inefficient.

[Monjul]

Originally Posted by Arnulf

Yes, to filter out higher frequency noise where electrolytics are inefficient.

Thanks. That's what I thought.

Any recs for a replacement? And what about the small electros? Should I replace those also?

[Arnulf]

Why would you want to replace it - has it developed huge ESR or went short or something ?

[Monjul]

Originally Posted by Arnulf

Why would you want to replace it - has it developed huge ESR or went short or something ?

Don't know as I don't have the means to measure the caps. I'm basing the idea on the age of the amp but I'm also thinking about getting better sonics if replacing these caps with more modern versions would accomplish this. I guess that's my main question at this point.

[dsavitsk]

Originally Posted by Monjul

Should this be changed considering it's age and does it contribute in any way to the sound of the amp?

It is likely both the least important, and the least likely to fail, cap in the whole amp. You could probably take it out completely and not notice a difference.

Originally Posted by Monjul

Also, should I replace the two 220uf 100v electros in the pic? I was thinking about going with some Elna's here but won't consider it if it might be a waste of time and money. Thanks.

The blue ones? Those are right in the signal path and have a huge sonic impact. Plus, being electrolytics, they are likely to dry out. They are a good choice for replacement -- maybe a big solen film cap?

[Monjul]

Originally Posted by dsavitsk

It is likely both the least important, and the least likely to fail, cap in the whole amp. You could probably take it out completely and not notice a difference.



The blue ones? Those are right in the signal path and have a huge sonic impact. Plus, being electrolytics, they are likely to dry out. They are a good choice for replacement -- maybe a big solen film cap?

Thanks and that's the question I wanted answered. Doing a quick search, I can't find any Solen films at 220uf 100v. Do you know of a source for these caps?

[dsavitsk]

Parts Connexion has 220u/400V Solen caps.

[Monjul]

Originally Posted by dsavitsk

Parts Connexion has 220u/400V Solen caps.

Thanks, but at over $56, I think I'll stick with electrolytics.

[Rod Coleman]

If the electrolytics are really 15-20 years old, they will be most probably degrading the sound. I find the sound goes bad long before the ESR or capacitance develops any measurable change.

for screw terminal reservoir/filter caps, the KEMET/BHC ALS series are well worth the look:

FEBG - Electrolytic Capacitors