I just recapped my Famco Nuance preamp, and got interesting results. Caps chosen for recap are Panasonic FC. So it seems replacing the 2200uf filter caps really improved definition and clarity, but replacing the 40 years old Siemense 470uf/25v caps with new Panasonic FC 470uf/35v in the Phono stage makes it sound extremely thin and lifeless (with a lot of clarity though). Needless to say I switched those back to the old caps, but I would be interested to know why I got these results, while FC are considered to be high-quality "audio" caps...
It is surprising opinions like yours are not a lot more common. The only explanation i can offer is that very few people actually listen.
There are several issues i can identify.
1. Were the new caps allowed to break in?
2. FC are not my favourite. They have an easily identifiable sound that is not to my liking.
3. YBA stuff is carefully voiced. Hoping to improve it with random substitutions is optimistic and risky.
4. Old European caps are actually pretty good. Roe, Frako, Siemens, Philips. Modern capacitors sound different and perhaps better in some ways, but there are definitely no identical sounding replacements.
You thought you heard a difference, I'm not convinced there was one. Only double blind testing can find if there was an audible difference, since expectation bias is a huge effect.
There's definitely a sound difference with all caps being replaced with FC's, the sound is much cleaner but also much thinner with the treble sounding even a little harsh... I haven't allowed them to break in yet. Should I try running this pre with the FCs for a week or so? I placed sockets instead of the "suspected" caps so I can easily switch between them.
One thing that I've just noticed is that the old Siemens read 530uf while the new FC read 430uf, with both types marked "470uf"...
One thing that I've just noticed is that the old Siemens read 530uf while the new FC read 430uf, with both types marked "470uf"...
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Here are both types. The soldered legs are so I can easily place them in the sockets (I first had them truncated)
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"It is best to avoid modern generic electrolytic capacitors like the plague."
What's the alternative then? keep using those 40 years old caps?
What's the alternative then? keep using those 40 years old caps?
But this time it goes AGAINST his bias and, still, he heard a difference... but not to his liking. And what happens if you go in without any expectation and just want to replace old caps and happens to hear a difference? So should we abandon casual listening completely?
40 year old electrolytics can only muddy sound, if anything.
IF OP is used to that after years of listening, then maybe he feels uncomfortable with new cleaner better spec ones.
Burn-in mentioned does not apply to caps, of course, or any electronics component, but to user´s ears.
Think switching beer or cigarette brands.
Taste will not "improve" after some time, by any means, but you will get used to it and eventually prefer it.
IF OP is used to that after years of listening, then maybe he feels uncomfortable with new cleaner better spec ones.
Burn-in mentioned does not apply to caps, of course, or any electronics component, but to user´s ears.
Think switching beer or cigarette brands.
Taste will not "improve" after some time, by any means, but you will get used to it and eventually prefer it.
Leave it on for at least a week or more continuously before you compare them again. The "new" capacitors
have probably been in a warehouse for months (or even years), and will need some time to fully awaken.
Even then, there will still be differences. When I tried the Nichicon FW series, I did not care for them at all.
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Never seen or heard these particular caps. My only suggestion, if you are firmly set on recapping, is to buy a few samples of modern caps, break them in out of circuit and then listen. Perhaps Muse may be the closest to what you have, but it's just a wild guess.
The best solution is to find NOS caps, identical to the originals, reform them carefully and pray they will work.
The best solution is to find NOS caps, identical to the originals, reform them carefully and pray they will work.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electrol...859864&hash=item3d77752cc3:g:lfUAAOSwqeVbyaej
Smaller value indeed, but same type. Perhaps i shall get a few out of curiosity.
Smaller value indeed, but same type. Perhaps i shall get a few out of curiosity.
Have you actually measured the Frequency Response of the Phono Stage?
Is it within specification of the RIAA Curve (if that is what it was designed to Equalise)?
It is possible you have done something untoward whilst fitting the new Caps and the RIAA Curve is no longer accurate.
P.
Is it within specification of the RIAA Curve (if that is what it was designed to Equalise)?
It is possible you have done something untoward whilst fitting the new Caps and the RIAA Curve is no longer accurate.
P.
These seem NOS from '81, based on the writing. Question is, will they perform better than the ones already in the unit? Haven't they dried out during these 40 years?
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