In recapping Amp - Choice of Caps?

norman · 30th December 2001, 08:08 AM

I recently dug my old Pilot SA 232 out of the closet(which I bought new) and decided it was time. I replaced the cans and then variaced it up. There was hum on one channel so I assume it is one of the remaining caps(which I know now I should have just taken care of in the first place). M y question is which ones to go with. Most of them are .047mfd and .1mfd @400volt. The choices in this size seem to be metallized polyester or polypropylene. Does it make a difference? And is there another choice to consider?
Many thanks for your input,
Norman

P.S. I used NOS cans. I've heard different views on the wisdom of this.

GRollins · 30th December 2001, 04:04 PM

Norman,
I no longer trust people when they say NOS. Unless it's in original shrink wrap (which won't be the case for anything worth having), there's no telling what the deal is.
Given a choice between polyester and polypropylene, I'd go polypropylene. I only use polyester for experiments, since they're cheap and readily available. Once I've got the circuit locked down, I change out the polyester caps for better stuff.
It can get pricey depending on how fancy a cap you want. Fancier still is polystyrene, but those are getting rare; as I understand it, the folks who used to make the styrene film discontinued the item. You want the scary stuff? Go Teflon. Call 911 if you have a heart attack upon seeing the prices.
Film & foil is better than metallized.

Grey

TJ · 1st January 2002, 10:42 PM

I don't trust NOS either . As i know some valve manufactory especially from China if u order from them u can request to print any logo u like ....... GEC, Mullad,telefuken .....etc ! So choice your valve in caution !

John S. · 3rd January 2002, 09:52 PM

I've had good luck with the MultiCap RTX polystyrene caps from Welborne Labs. There are probably better caps around,but there's lots worse.

Thatch_Ear · 5th January 2002, 09:56 AM

Not expensive and do the job are Sprauge Orange Drops. You can't go wrong but you can do better. Personally I like the old oil Vitamin Q types for coupling caps but they are kind of hard to find.

30th December 2001, 08:08 AM	#1
norman diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Oregon, USA	In recapping Amp - Choice of Caps? I recently dug my old Pilot SA 232 out of the closet(which I bought new) and decided it was time. I replaced the cans and then variaced it up. There was hum on one channel so I assume it is one of the remaining caps(which I know now I should have just taken care of in the first place). M y question is which ones to go with. Most of them are .047mfd and .1mfd @400volt. The choices in this size seem to be metallized polyester or polypropylene. Does it make a difference? And is there another choice to consider? Many thanks for your input, Norman P.S. I used NOS cans. I've heard different views on the wisdom of this.

5th January 2002, 09:56 AM	#5
Thatch_Ear diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Dallas,Tx	Not expensive and do the job are Sprauge Orange Drops. You can't go wrong but you can do better. Personally I like the old oil Vitamin Q types for coupling caps but they are kind of hard to find. __________________ Thatch

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30th December 2001, 04:04 PM	#2
GRollins diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Columbia, SC	Norman, I no longer trust people when they say NOS. Unless it's in original shrink wrap (which won't be the case for anything worth having), there's no telling what the deal is. Given a choice between polyester and polypropylene, I'd go polypropylene. I only use polyester for experiments, since they're cheap and readily available. Once I've got the circuit locked down, I change out the polyester caps for better stuff. It can get pricey depending on how fancy a cap you want. Fancier still is polystyrene, but those are getting rare; as I understand it, the folks who used to make the styrene film discontinued the item. You want the scary stuff? Go Teflon. Call 911 if you have a heart attack upon seeing the prices. Film & foil is better than metallized. Grey

1st January 2002, 10:42 PM	#3
TJ diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: UK	I don't trust NOS either . As i know some valve manufactory especially from China if u order from them u can request to print any logo u like ....... GEC, Mullad,telefuken .....etc ! So choice your valve in caution !

3rd January 2002, 09:52 PM	#4
John S. diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Massachusetts	I've had good luck with the MultiCap RTX polystyrene caps from Welborne Labs. There are probably better caps around,but there's lots worse.