I have got an nice sounding old Luxman LV-117 Amp from the 80s.
Would it make sense to double the capacitance from 2x 15000 uF (71v)?
What would it change? Is there a downside doing so?
Would it make sense to double the capacitance from 2x 15000 uF (71v)?
What would it change? Is there a downside doing so?
Despite LV117 being from Alpine years the components even in these black / grey plastic faceplate series were decent, so I would not bother neither to change nor double the capacitance. 15m is quite enough for AB class amp. Of course, check they are not dry and still have stated C.
Hi,
In theory you should replace all electrolytics in an 80's amp.
The major cost is the PS electrolytics and "if if ain't bust,
don't fix it" could apply to the PS electrolytics. However
just fit the modern biggest value that will fit, 22mF ?
rgds, sreten.
In theory you should replace all electrolytics in an 80's amp.
The major cost is the PS electrolytics and "if if ain't bust,
don't fix it" could apply to the PS electrolytics. However
just fit the modern biggest value that will fit, 22mF ?
rgds, sreten.
Thanks guys so far for the answers.
The PS caps seam fine (no leakage). The amp is from 1987, but it has not been used for at least 10 years, so no big mileage. Indeed the thought of replacing came to me because of the age of the PS caps. Do they age when not used?
And if it could be useful to change them out, I thought why not put bigger ones in, if it makes any sonic or quality sense.
The PS caps seam fine (no leakage). The amp is from 1987, but it has not been used for at least 10 years, so no big mileage. Indeed the thought of replacing came to me because of the age of the PS caps. Do they age when not used?
And if it could be useful to change them out, I thought why not put bigger ones in, if it makes any sonic or quality sense.
15000uF is enough for that amp, isn't? He could replace the big caps with newer 15000uF (80V).
I've recapped some vintage amps and didn't hear any improvement in overall sound quality, specially those amps that were still working good. Others, like a Sansui AU-317 (from 1977), had a HUGE sound improvement after recapped, but in this case other components were replaced as well like few transistors, Zeners, fuse-resistors and, of course, ALL the electrolycs... 🙂
I've recapped some vintage amps and didn't hear any improvement in overall sound quality, specially those amps that were still working good. Others, like a Sansui AU-317 (from 1977), had a HUGE sound improvement after recapped, but in this case other components were replaced as well like few transistors, Zeners, fuse-resistors and, of course, ALL the electrolycs... 🙂
Hi,
15mF is plenty enough for any class AB amplifier, however with
modern caps bigger may still simply fit and may not be a lot more.
I certainly don't recommend double, or updating the PS caps
before updating ALL the OTHER electrolytics in the amplifier.
rgds, sreten.
15mF is plenty enough for any class AB amplifier, however with
modern caps bigger may still simply fit and may not be a lot more.
I certainly don't recommend double, or updating the PS caps
before updating ALL the OTHER electrolytics in the amplifier.
rgds, sreten.
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Service Manual is available at HiFiEngine for free. (need to subscribe though)
Luxman LV-117 Manual - Stereo Integrated Amplifier - HiFi Engine
If one knows how to read the schematics, may be able to replace the other capacitors (not the PS for the moment) first and see if there any improvement in sound/performance, etc..
Honestly, I found pretty hard trying to improve the sound in amps from about 1986/87 onwards. Those before 1984 were more noticeable after any recap... to me. 😉
Luxman LV-117 Manual - Stereo Integrated Amplifier - HiFi Engine
If one knows how to read the schematics, may be able to replace the other capacitors (not the PS for the moment) first and see if there any improvement in sound/performance, etc..
Honestly, I found pretty hard trying to improve the sound in amps from about 1986/87 onwards. Those before 1984 were more noticeable after any recap... to me. 😉
Thank everyone for the valuable replies.
I guess I am going to replace all the electrolyte caps - a couple at a time - with 105 low ESR types and maybe the PS caps with same sized 22mf types - just to keep all in fresh working condition.
This should set the amp up for the next 27 years 🙂 Hopefully 🙄
I guess I am going to replace all the electrolyte caps - a couple at a time - with 105 low ESR types and maybe the PS caps with same sized 22mf types - just to keep all in fresh working condition.
This should set the amp up for the next 27 years 🙂 Hopefully 🙄
The safe way to go around this is to see what the original caps say in terms of tolerances. Usually it's +30% -10% (older units may have had as much as +5-% -10%). To stay safe you have to stay within these limits. So, if the original caps are 15mF, goung to 18mF or at the most 22mF is as far as you should go. Today it's often that no tolerance is given because the capacitance is far better controlled at manufacture, and caps come at almost exactly the rated capacitance.
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