Hi guys,
Greetings from Portugal.
First of all, let me tell you I'm no expert in electronics. Just an enthusiast.
I have a Cambridge Audio 851N streamer and I'm thinking about replacing the electrolitic capacitors to improve performance.
The stock capacitors are from NOVER, an unknown brand to me.
In the audio path I'm thinking about upgrading to the ELNA Silmic II.
But for power I really don't what to go for.
1.
Power on the audio board. 8x Nover RX 35V, 2200uF capacitors next to 2 L7815 voltage regulators.
Option 1 - Replace these Nover low ESR for Panasonic FR, also low ESR with same voltage and capacity.
Option 2 - Replace with same voltage 35V but with higher filtering capacity (ex:3300uF. If so, which capacitors should I go for?
Power supply. 3x Fujicon RK 35V 2200uF (standard capacitors for general purpose)
Should I also increase the filtering here? Also, any recommendations?
All help is much appreciated.
Thank you.
Andre
Greetings from Portugal.
First of all, let me tell you I'm no expert in electronics. Just an enthusiast.
I have a Cambridge Audio 851N streamer and I'm thinking about replacing the electrolitic capacitors to improve performance.
The stock capacitors are from NOVER, an unknown brand to me.
In the audio path I'm thinking about upgrading to the ELNA Silmic II.
But for power I really don't what to go for.
1.
Power on the audio board. 8x Nover RX 35V, 2200uF capacitors next to 2 L7815 voltage regulators.
Option 1 - Replace these Nover low ESR for Panasonic FR, also low ESR with same voltage and capacity.
Option 2 - Replace with same voltage 35V but with higher filtering capacity (ex:3300uF. If so, which capacitors should I go for?
Power supply. 3x Fujicon RK 35V 2200uF (standard capacitors for general purpose)
Should I also increase the filtering here? Also, any recommendations?
All help is much appreciated.
Thank you.
Andre
I'm not sure they need to be recapped. They look fine as for me.
Are you sure Novel RX are low ESR type? Typically we don't need low ESR caps in linear power supply (they may possibly make things a bit worse, it depends).
You may increase caps value in filters (after rectifiers).
Are you sure Novel RX are low ESR type? Typically we don't need low ESR caps in linear power supply (they may possibly make things a bit worse, it depends).
You may increase caps value in filters (after rectifiers).
Hi, yes, they are described as ELECTROLYTIC, Radial, Low ESR, Long Life, 105°C.
Low impedance
◆ High endurance Up to 6000 hours
◆ High ripple current
◆ Maximum temperature 105°C
http://www.paullinebarger.net/DS/Nover/Nover [radial thru-hole] RX Series.pdf
Low impedance
◆ High endurance Up to 6000 hours
◆ High ripple current
◆ Maximum temperature 105°C
http://www.paullinebarger.net/DS/Nover/Nover [radial thru-hole] RX Series.pdf
Are those blue 2W resistors on end part of a CRC before the Vregs? Might be possible to squeeze in an inductor there....?
Once again ... a totally unnecessary upgrade.
Higher value electrolytic capacitors are not always convenient, less in a printed circuit, which can be affected by a greater amount of current stored in them.
What makes you think that those who designed that PSU were not experts in electronics?
Higher value electrolytic capacitors are not always convenient, less in a printed circuit, which can be affected by a greater amount of current stored in them.
What makes you think that those who designed that PSU were not experts in electronics?
In what way is the unit underperforming now? And just what improvements are you expecting to achieve?
Hi all,
The stock capacitors are fine in the way they DON'T need to be replaced. They are working properly.
My idea is that maybe replacing them with better components may result in a better outcome.
We all know you can buy a capacitor for 20 cents and another with the same specs for 2 dollars. There's an almost rule of thumb that better sounding equipment usually comes with premium components inside. There is nothing wrong with this streamer. It performs just the way it was designed to perform. Like that turntable you bought some years ago. And then you decided to replace the stock cartridge with a superior one and found out that the music just plays better.
Thank you for your inputs.
The stock capacitors are fine in the way they DON'T need to be replaced. They are working properly.
My idea is that maybe replacing them with better components may result in a better outcome.
We all know you can buy a capacitor for 20 cents and another with the same specs for 2 dollars. There's an almost rule of thumb that better sounding equipment usually comes with premium components inside. There is nothing wrong with this streamer. It performs just the way it was designed to perform. Like that turntable you bought some years ago. And then you decided to replace the stock cartridge with a superior one and found out that the music just plays better.
Thank you for your inputs.
Wrong.
Nonsense.
Magical thinking.
No clue on Electronics or design.
That said, I am not the one who will keep you from throwing good money down a bottomless hole.
Hey, buy a solid gold cabinet to house your streamer.
It IS demonstrably better, it will never rust, will do an excellent shielding job, and gold being denser than steel, will stand earthquakes and atomic blasts better.
It will also shield delicate components better from harmful Cosmic Rays and Neutrinos.
If youre itching to do something to it, you technically could introduce some inductors in line, but I would imagine that that CRC circuit has it all handled. They probably maxed that out which would effectively negate any benefits. You do run the risk of wrecking something while your in there as well. Audio grade capacitors are mostly for the signal path and not necessarily the things around it. Maybe just wipe it down and make it shine like new, because it probably plays perfectly.
The advice from JMFahey was more constructive than you give it credit for.
You are wasting your money. You will achieve no performance improvement that could be identified in a blind listening test. That's our advice. At the end of the day do whatever you want with your time and money.
The original capacitors are good quality.Some of their series are used by some company on very high quality and ultraexpensive smps for silicon wafer ion implantation equipment which needs to have the highest precision in the electronic industry.
Indeed constructive - for those with an "open mind" who a ready to learn🙂
You are on the best way to destroy your streamer.
Harmonics and noise are real, even in power supply capacitors, but I have seen devices like yours destroyed by upgrades just the same; there are risks when working on anything.
It’s one thing when you’re building from scratch, to select every component, just that yours is already complete, and working fine, so some of the points made here have been valid.
If I were to venture into replacement of any power supply parts, it would only be on the analog side, and just the smaller parts near the op amps. After that it will likely be hard to tell any difference.
The silmic II have the annoying quality of erasing a bunch of the midrange, are definitely not one of my favorites, and standard parts often sound better as well.
Maybe look up rectifier snubber circuits, are pretty simple, and will give a similar improvement.
It’s one thing when you’re building from scratch, to select every component, just that yours is already complete, and working fine, so some of the points made here have been valid.
If I were to venture into replacement of any power supply parts, it would only be on the analog side, and just the smaller parts near the op amps. After that it will likely be hard to tell any difference.
The silmic II have the annoying quality of erasing a bunch of the midrange, are definitely not one of my favorites, and standard parts often sound better as well.
Maybe look up rectifier snubber circuits, are pretty simple, and will give a similar improvement.