I highly recommend the FT-3 as well, less enthusiastic about the K72P but it's undoubtedly OK compared to any vintage paper cap.
I strongly agree with GoatGuy on the 940s. I recapped my 30-year-old Audio Research amp with these last year and it now sounds better than ever. I'm done with "audiophile" caps. I have unused Black Gates, V-Caps, Mundorfs and others that will eventually be sold to fund my DIY habit.
To be perfectly honest here I kinda expected this thread to go south from the start. A few years back if my memory is still intact there was a different attitude here on this forum and the higher priced caps were the winners. I have maintained for years that I personally couldn't tell any difference between the cheap caps and the expensive ones other than possible a longer life span. I believe I will go for the Cornell-Dublier 940 and still have change back from my $10 an amplifier coupling cap budget.
Like I mentioned before at one time I had two identical sets of mono block amps one set that had everything except the kitchen sink in it and one set perfectly stock. I had a long finished room in my basement and at one end one system and at the other end another identical system. I listened intently for any differences and found none. I had others with more refined and undamaged hearing listen and no one could find any differences.
The article an unbiased look at capacitors was probably the icing on the cake. Test results done correctly don't lie. The results clearly showed there wasn't much difference at least not enough to warrant the cost in my opinion of the higher priced components.
With respect to space I must stay with a cap the size of the 940. As much as I would love to try the Russian caps their length and diameter would cause a problem of mounting and clearance in this particular set of chassis.
The caps have been added to my project list for the Allen model 75's and I thank all those here for their comments and additions to this thread.
Rest assured that I have already ordered gifts for Christmas for the wife along with those special items a supply of 22-250 ammo so she can shoot Jack Rabbits in the Desert. Keeping the wife happy is essential to the continuation of any guys hobbies.
Like I mentioned before at one time I had two identical sets of mono block amps one set that had everything except the kitchen sink in it and one set perfectly stock. I had a long finished room in my basement and at one end one system and at the other end another identical system. I listened intently for any differences and found none. I had others with more refined and undamaged hearing listen and no one could find any differences.
The article an unbiased look at capacitors was probably the icing on the cake. Test results done correctly don't lie. The results clearly showed there wasn't much difference at least not enough to warrant the cost in my opinion of the higher priced components.
With respect to space I must stay with a cap the size of the 940. As much as I would love to try the Russian caps their length and diameter would cause a problem of mounting and clearance in this particular set of chassis.
The caps have been added to my project list for the Allen model 75's and I thank all those here for their comments and additions to this thread.
Rest assured that I have already ordered gifts for Christmas for the wife along with those special items a supply of 22-250 ammo so she can shoot Jack Rabbits in the Desert. Keeping the wife happy is essential to the continuation of any guys hobbies.
Three winner options at reasonable prices:
* CORNELL DUBILIER 940C Film Capacitor 3000V 0.01µF
* Gen II Sonicap 0.0xxuF 600VDC
More expensive. My choice to bypass the tweeter cap of my modded KEF Q100 5.25" loudspeakers.
* MiFlex KPCU-01 0.022 uF 600Vdc
Looking for a new pair of 0.22uf coupling caps.
The only one I have tried of the three. I VERY HIGLY RECOMMEND it as a bypass.
I do not know why it modifies the sound, there are several explanations but no one convinces me. I can only confirm that in my case it has been a full / amazing success!
* CORNELL DUBILIER 940C Film Capacitor 3000V 0.01µF
* Gen II Sonicap 0.0xxuF 600VDC
More expensive. My choice to bypass the tweeter cap of my modded KEF Q100 5.25" loudspeakers.
* MiFlex KPCU-01 0.022 uF 600Vdc
Looking for a new pair of 0.22uf coupling caps.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
The only one I have tried of the three. I VERY HIGLY RECOMMEND it as a bypass.
I do not know why it modifies the sound, there are several explanations but no one convinces me. I can only confirm that in my case it has been a full / amazing success!
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Most all of the "audio" specific caps that don't come from the big industry manufacturers tend to be pretty overpriced for what they are. You would be surprised what a high quality industrial DC link cap can do for your wallet and sound quality. If going old school the russian types mentioned earlier are rugged and neutral. I have a few K42y that have been in a dozen projects now and are pretty nice.
Those cornell dubs look nice, I'll have to add a few to my wish list
Those cornell dubs look nice, I'll have to add a few to my wish list
Humble Homemade Hifi - Cap Test
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Cornell Dubilier 940C / 0,01uF / 3000VDC - 10% tolerance
Technical specifications (according to manufacturer): "Type 940 round, axial leaded film capacitors have polypropylene film and dual metallized electrodes for both self healing properties and high peak current carrying capability. This series features low ESR characteristics, excellent high frequency and high voltage capabilities; high dV-dt for snubber applications; capacitance range 0,01 to 4,7µF; capacitance tolerance ±10%; rated voltage 600 to 3000 VDC (275 to 500 VAC, 60 Hz); operating temperature range with ripple 55ºC to 105ºC / full rated voltage at 85ºC - derated linearly to 50% rated at 105ºC; insulation resistance more than 100.000 MO x µF; test voltage between terminals @ 25ºC 160% rated DC voltage for 60s; test voltage between terminals & case @ 25ºC 3kVac @ 50/60 Hz for 60s; life test 2000 h @ 85ºC, 125% rated DC voltage; life expectancy 60.000 h @ rated VDC 70ºC; case material UL510 polyester tape wrap; resin material UL94V-0 epoxy fill; terminal material tin plated copper."
Sound: Using the 3000VDC Cornell Dubilier 940C as a bypass capacitor in the value 0,01uF really is the "icing on the cake" when you are looking for a low cost bypass capacitor that gell's everything into one coherent sound. Over the past few years I have used these in many different combinations and everytime they just added more to the overall sound. More coherency and more ease. Especially when you have been "cooking" to find your favourite mix of capacitors and only need to cement the different characters together. Adding the 940C creates an overall more mature sounding speaker. And no, they are not better than the Duelund Silver Bypass capacitor that excel's in naturalness and richness of tone. The Duelund is in another league, not only in sound quality but also in price ;-) The Vishay MKP1837 used to be my favourite low cost bypass capacitor but now it is the Cornell Dubilier 940C / 0,01uF / 3000VDC. It surpasses the Vishay with quite some margin
Verdict: use them everywhere!
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Absolutely.
The only reason I didn't recommend an X2 safety cap is because the OP said it was 600V and the X2 caps I use are rated for only 275VAC (~400VDC). I've also had good experience with Illinois Caps...
Honestly I can't think of a better cap for cheap (under $2) than this: 104MPW630K Illinois Capacitor | Capacitors | DigiKey
The only reason I didn't recommend an X2 safety cap is because the OP said it was 600V and the X2 caps I use are rated for only 275VAC (~400VDC). I've also had good experience with Illinois Caps...
Honestly I can't think of a better cap for cheap (under $2) than this: 104MPW630K Illinois Capacitor | Capacitors | DigiKey
Putting price aside, all caps have a certain sonic signature. Yes high prices does not mean that it will sound good on the particular part of the circuit that one wants to change. It's all about achieving a good balance of SQ. One may find a fantastic cap but rest assured it will not create magic when used all over, a mix & match approach is a must.
I was given a few of these by a local builder-DIYer friend, and found them also to be quite good. Sorry-to-say, I kind of forgot about them. Stuck with C-D brand for the most part, since the darn things are built to almost ridiculous durability standards.
Granted, it is an expensive experiment, but I've tested CD's to well over 250% of rated voltage (searching for actual break-down), and haven't had a single one pop. Can't say that for most of the others.
A “visual give-away” is the oversized dimensions of them. The 940C series uses metalized polypropylene just like other manufacturers; I tore one apart to see “the guts”, and was struck by the thickness of the PP. Compared to similarly rated others. It wasn't the aluminum either. Dielectric.
Since building capacitors is the art of 'calculating-area-and-thickness-and-dielectric-constants', a thicker dielectric, with a constant dielectric constant, requires more of the stuff (longer tape, for given width). As evidenced, visually, with the 940C series. Much longer tape, than other brands.
Now, at DigiKey, its running $4.88 unit cost. At The Mouse Catcher, $3.19 unit. … “whatever” kind of difference IYKWIM.
However, in the line of Illinois Capacitor series, The Mouse Catcher has 1,000 VDC 0.1 µF for $1.03 unit price! I'd venture that the 1,000 V I.C. units might be 'on par' with the C-D 600 V units. … just figgering …
Anyway, as always, good discussions.
GoatGuy ✓
This is what I\m using and is great value for money MUNDORF MCAP EVO SILVER GOLD OIL Capacitor 650V 0.1μF
Regards,
Tibi
Regards,
Tibi
Cheap! I might grab some next time I order parts.
A buddy ordered a sack of these recently for general use (and a flea amp build
) and really liked them. Vishay stuff is good, but these are only 400 volts, looks like the 630 volt stuff is non stocking-MKP1839410404 Vishay BC Components | Capacitors | DigiKey
Just now, in the Music thread I just wrote:
Pepper Adams Quintet - 10 To 4 At The 5-Spot (1959), Vinyl, Riverside Records, US
Pepper Adams Quintet - 10 To 4 At The 5-Spot (1959), Vinyl, Riverside Records, US
Maty, with no small reservation, I highly recommend you actually read the learned opinion piece by Sy, referenced in this link ( SYclotron Audio | Why are people obsessed with coupling caps? ). Read it, and whether you initially agree or not, at least try to come to grips with the fact that many quantitative and qualitative professionals and amateurs alike have not found differences between highest-and-just-fine-quality capacitors in double-blind tests. Me, Sy, many others included.
Indeed, I'm well past 60, and in my 40s, I went thru the entire confirmation-bias self-delusion of believing the highest reputation capacitors would have the most musically critical (and positive) effects. I spent thousands on high-reputation capacitors. Then I built an A-B-R-X box and absolute-identical-except-for-capacitors amplifiers, and did double-blind testing. Sadly (and which made me incredibly vexed … and angry … with the industry of here-say), there were no detectable positive outcomes associated with any but the absolute worst-possible capacitor choices. Capacitor so bad, that anyone would immediately replace them.
So…
While it sounds like I'm chiding you unnecessarily, for your cherished opinion of the capacitors you recommend, in truth, I'm just trying to continue in my last–20-year-mission to dispel the notion that ANY capacitors are magical, once they actually meet the basic criteria of the application (interstage coupling caps).
The criteria were then, and continue to remain:
[1] design-point accuracy
[2] solid construction
[3] long term resilience
[4] reasonable cost
[5] fits in chassis /or/ on circuit board, without craziness
[6] low parasitics (for capacitors)
They became my criteria 20 years ago after becoming disillusioned by the Capacitor Fear-Uncertainty-Doubt vendors and the lack of supporting evidence for their claims. Satisfying all of № 1 to № 6 above, for less than $5 a throw, one can obtain absolutely outstanding interstage coupling capacitors; and they'll work for the foreseeable life of the amplifier without requiring replacement, even in 30 years.
Just Saying,
GoatGuy ✓
Panasonic Polyprop for me. Cheapest that will do the job. Never had an issue and clear as a bell. Here is an example:
ECW-FE2W224K
I wouldn't have used it back when I did P-to-P, but since I've switched to PCBs all the way they're the bee's knees. YMMV tho.
Edit to say, the radial form factor isn't ideal for P-to-P.
ECW-FE2W224K
I wouldn't have used it back when I did P-to-P, but since I've switched to PCBs all the way they're the bee's knees. YMMV tho.
Edit to say, the radial form factor isn't ideal for P-to-P.
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@GoatGuy
I know perfectly how capacitors and other components are, and not just superficially, hence my caution, trying first with cheap styroflex. The improvement was appreciable for me but not for the other person who was with me. That same person hallucinated with me last week when putting the Miflex and Hotel California (Eagles).
capacitor bypassing/cascading......
This week I wanted to exchange the cheap Bennic resistors for other Mills that I bought. Finally it will be the next one because I want that same person to be present to verify if we notice improvement or not both, only one or none.
It is also evident that I listen to high quality recordings with high dynamic range. And I have been eliminating bottlenecks in my second system. Windows 10 I have it super optimized to play multimedia.
With current commercial recordings the improvement will be minimal. And surely we will have bottlenecks that will prevent us from appreciating it, if any.
I know perfectly how capacitors and other components are, and not just superficially, hence my caution, trying first with cheap styroflex. The improvement was appreciable for me but not for the other person who was with me. That same person hallucinated with me last week when putting the Miflex and Hotel California (Eagles).
capacitor bypassing/cascading......
This week I wanted to exchange the cheap Bennic resistors for other Mills that I bought. Finally it will be the next one because I want that same person to be present to verify if we notice improvement or not both, only one or none.
It is also evident that I listen to high quality recordings with high dynamic range. And I have been eliminating bottlenecks in my second system. Windows 10 I have it super optimized to play multimedia.
With current commercial recordings the improvement will be minimal. And surely we will have bottlenecks that will prevent us from appreciating it, if any.
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