HELP! Capacitor specs for Sonic Frontiers SFC-1 Control Amplifier

devilsindetails · 17th November 2011, 01:17 AM

Hey Gang....I have a Sonic Frontiers SFC-1 Control Amplifier (4x EL34, 1x12AT7, 2x12AU7) that requires new main caps (circled in red on the attached pic).

While I have the voltage specs for these (450v) I have no idea how many uF.

There are no spec markings on the exterior of these huge can caps, save for a manufacturing number of 658 9302 319.

Anyone out there have any experience with these. Lots of owner's manual information but no service manual or schematics.

Thanks Leo

speakerfritz · 17th November 2011, 05:37 PM

hi, may I ask what makes you say it needs new main caps?

devilsindetails · 17th November 2011, 06:29 PM

Gets the typical "thump" at speaker output after startup delay (signal output for five seconds) and then thumps again cutting out one channel, then another thump cutting out the other channel.

That seems to tell me the caps are energizing and discharging too quickly on startup and then losing whatever capacitance they have entirely. Yes ? No?

steven2583 · 17th November 2011, 06:55 PM

Call or email a tech at Parts Connexion. They do mods on the Sonic Frontier units.

devilsindetails · 18th November 2011, 02:32 AM

Thanks...got an e-mail from Chris Johnson but these caps remain a bit of a mystery...they are guessing somewhere between 1200-1500 uf at 350 volts but as these puppies will be tres-expensive I would like something a little more definitive. I know I can up the voltage capacity without any harm but the uf ratings would seem to be more critical to determine exactly.

ticknpop · 02:52 AM

The cap value in uf isn't critical 1200-1500 uf range is fine. These caps would be less than $20.00 each at Digikey. I'd do the rest of the smaller electrolytics at the same time. Try to find a 105 C cap for longer life of the same value and physical diameter. Panasonics are a good bet.

devilsindetails · 18th November 2011, 03:02 AM

Thanks..when you say 105c are you talking about the temperature rating?

Braga · 25th January 2012, 04:35 PM

Hi,
They look exactly the same as the SFS 40 power amp. main caps.
Value is 1700uF/300 V x 2 in series.

DF96 · 25th January 2012, 05:26 PM

Sounds more like protection circuitry than reservoir caps.

Jebem · 09:47 PM

Try Anthem - I believe they own the old Sonic Frontiers brand.
About Anthem - Welcome to the New Official Anthem® Audio Video Website.

they have the operator manual for download as well:
http://archive.anthemav.com/OldSitev1/pdf/sfc1.pdf

17th November 2011, 06:29 PM	#3
devilsindetails diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: 100th Meridian	Gets the typical "thump" at speaker output after startup delay (signal output for five seconds) and then thumps again cutting out one channel, then another thump cutting out the other channel. That seems to tell me the caps are energizing and discharging too quickly on startup and then losing whatever capacitance they have entirely. Yes ? No? __________________ I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the right way, did not become still more complicated. (Poul Anderson)

18th November 2011, 02:32 AM	#5
devilsindetails diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: 100th Meridian	Thanks...got an e-mail from Chris Johnson but these caps remain a bit of a mystery...they are guessing somewhere between 1200-1500 uf at 350 volts but as these puppies will be tres-expensive I would like something a little more definitive. I know I can up the voltage capacity without any harm but the uf ratings would seem to be more critical to determine exactly. __________________ I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the right way, did not become still more complicated. (Poul Anderson)

18th November 2011, 02:47 AM	#6
ticknpop diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: toronto	The cap value in uf isn't critical 1200-1500 uf range is fine. These caps would be less than $20.00 each at Digikey. I'd do the rest of the smaller electrolytics at the same time. Try to find a 105 C cap for longer life of the same value and physical diameter. Panasonics are a good bet. Last edited by ticknpop; 18th November 2011 at 02:52 AM.

18th November 2011, 03:02 AM	#7
devilsindetails diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: 100th Meridian	Thanks..when you say 105c are you talking about the temperature rating? __________________ I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the right way, did not become still more complicated. (Poul Anderson)

25th January 2012, 09:40 PM	#10
Jebem diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Lisbon	Try Anthem - I believe they own the old Sonic Frontiers brand. About Anthem - Welcome to the New Official Anthem® Audio Video Website. they have the operator manual for download as well: http://archive.anthemav.com/OldSitev1/pdf/sfc1.pdf __________________ If You need something done properly, do it yourself (and ask help from DIYaudio... ) One of my SE 211 tube amps: http://sites.google.com/site/sunajeb...ificador-211se Last edited by Jebem; 25th January 2012 at 09:47 PM.

17th November 2011, 05:37 PM	#2
speakerfritz diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2008	hi, may I ask what makes you say it needs new main caps?

17th November 2011, 06:55 PM	#4
steven2583 diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2011	Call or email a tech at Parts Connexion. They do mods on the Sonic Frontier units.

25th January 2012, 04:35 PM	#8
Braga diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2010	Hi, They look exactly the same as the SFS 40 power amp. main caps. Value is 1700uF/300 V x 2 in series.

25th January 2012, 05:26 PM	#9
DF96 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2007	Sounds more like protection circuitry than reservoir caps.

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