I've just replaced the power supply caps in my Audiolab 8000A, and I thought people might be interested in my experience.
I'd had the amp in storage for a few years, and when I got it out to set up again I found the RCA sockets had started to break as the plastic bodies crumbled - a common problem. So replacing those was my first job - I got a new set from an eBay seller for £57 (which is not cheap).
The old caps are Elna 10,000uF 50v, and looking around what was available I settled on Mundorf Mlytic 15,000uF 63v (£50 for the pair, again not cheap). One of the nice things about the Mundorfs is that they're the same size as the old Elnas - I know that's trivial, but I think it looks nice when components look as if they fit.
Today was the day I did the job, and even with a pair of modest Tannoy Mercury MX1s (and an active sub run from the pre-amp out), the difference is... not small! Without even giving it a few minutes to warm up, it's enormously improved.
Imaging is stable and a lot more precise - instruments and voices used to wander depending on the notes, and guitars seemed like they were six-feet wide. The sound stage now has a bit of depth too - it was flat 2D before.
The biggest improvement is in louder passages, which is probably not surprising. Previously a loud passage would turn mushy (if you know what I mean) and detail and imaging would smear. But now, it's smooth, powerful and far more precise.
After all that, I decided to measure the old caps to see how they rated. I had to series them up to get within the range of my meter, and they measured at only around 4,100uF apiece. It's hardly surprising the difference the new ones have made, and it's definitely money well spent.
Anyway, next job is to replace the rest of the electrolytics in the amp - probably with Elna Cerafines. My recommendation for anyone considering replacing the power supply caps in an old amp is... just do it.
I'd had the amp in storage for a few years, and when I got it out to set up again I found the RCA sockets had started to break as the plastic bodies crumbled - a common problem. So replacing those was my first job - I got a new set from an eBay seller for £57 (which is not cheap).
The old caps are Elna 10,000uF 50v, and looking around what was available I settled on Mundorf Mlytic 15,000uF 63v (£50 for the pair, again not cheap). One of the nice things about the Mundorfs is that they're the same size as the old Elnas - I know that's trivial, but I think it looks nice when components look as if they fit.
Today was the day I did the job, and even with a pair of modest Tannoy Mercury MX1s (and an active sub run from the pre-amp out), the difference is... not small! Without even giving it a few minutes to warm up, it's enormously improved.
Imaging is stable and a lot more precise - instruments and voices used to wander depending on the notes, and guitars seemed like they were six-feet wide. The sound stage now has a bit of depth too - it was flat 2D before.
The biggest improvement is in louder passages, which is probably not surprising. Previously a loud passage would turn mushy (if you know what I mean) and detail and imaging would smear. But now, it's smooth, powerful and far more precise.
After all that, I decided to measure the old caps to see how they rated. I had to series them up to get within the range of my meter, and they measured at only around 4,100uF apiece. It's hardly surprising the difference the new ones have made, and it's definitely money well spent.
Anyway, next job is to replace the rest of the electrolytics in the amp - probably with Elna Cerafines. My recommendation for anyone considering replacing the power supply caps in an old amp is... just do it.
)
